Of course! — 2 years ago
“People going here are also going to these places:
* New Zealand”
mackro has written 2 entries about this place
THAI TOM! — 2 years ago
ONLY the greatest Thai restaurant ever! It would be easily missed if you were to walk past it even at a casual stroll.. however the crowds of people outside the place force you take notice, and for good reason. (it’s located just south of 47th st. NE on the Ave. on the west side, just across from record store Cellophane Squared)
This is, simply put, the best hole-in-the-wall thai restaurant in Seattle.. possibly the country. Surely, there might be better places in Thailand, obviously, but if people in Thailand even talk about Thai Tom, then one would think it’s worth investigating.
I don’t recommend going there with more than four people total. The place is really small. There are very small two-person tables lined behind the counter/bar area and that’s it. So, keep the parties small for this place.
I highly recommend waiting a little more to get a bar stool seat for your first time. This is half the fun. You see, both of the main Thai Tom cooks are amazing to watch—especially the man himself. The speed, precision, and complexity with which the cooks operate is mind-bending. After it all, having eaten several meals here, I’ve yet to have a mistake appear in my dish. This itself is an amazing feat. Sudden blasts of fire from the range are very common. The cooks are often working with five dishes at the same time. The best part is watching the cook finalize a meal by quickly slamming a patch of white race into the intricate ceramic large leaf shaped dishes, flipping it around like the slickest card shark in Vegas, pouring the main contents over, then having one of the waitresses matter-of-factly be there just in time to deliver it to the patron who ordered it. Watching the gears at work is just stunning.
..all of which won’t matter once you taste the food. The flavors and spices are unmatchable. You’ll just have to taste for yourself.
The menu isn’t extensive, so don’t expect the entire ouevre of all possible Thai dishes to be offered here. But what they do with the dishes offered is nothing less than perfect.