One highlight of the dining area's atmosphere is the service. The waiters are very attentive and friendly, without being annoying. The only exception is the somewhat long wait between ordering and the arrival of your meal. But this lull suits most occasions well, providing downtime for talking with friends or that special someone.
Additionally, the environment is very student-friendly. After learning that I was both a customer and a reviewer for the school newspaper at the end of our meal, our waitress was delighted with the opportunity to answer our questions and let us photograph the beautiful interior. She also explained how proud the management was of the handsome interior design and architecture, which I found to be quite impressive.
The placement of the extensive wine bar in the back corner is an ideal situation which, as a permanent sign on the door explains, is happy to serve beer and wine from April through January. During other months, they welcome people to bring in their own selections to be had with their meals.
As we looked around, it was easy to understand how such high quality personal service was possible-there were only two other parties besides ourselves, which left a pleasant and surprisingly uncrowded atmosphere for a Saturday lunch. There was also a gorgeous orchid arrangement on display and small lamps with stained glass shades that provide a diffused lighting effect to greet you as you enter.
Despite the logistics of a relatively small establishment, seating options were very comfortable. Booths along the edges of the room form intimate two-person tables and the two large window booths, which can seat eight people, offers a perfect opportunity for people-watching, as well as privacy.
The menu boasts a wide variety of traditional Thai cuisine. I, never having dined on Thai food, ordered a safe bet, shrimp fried rice. It was excellent, with a lightly tangy seasoning which was a sweeter alternative to the Chinese version of the dish. Despite not having quite enough shrimp for my liking, the vegetables were very fresh and the rice was cooked perfectly.
My friend ordered the classic Thai standby, pad thai, a stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp and vegetables. She commented that the vegetables were fresh and crunchy, providing a welcome contrast to the somewhat heavy, sweet taste of the noodles. She also said that it was among the better versions of the dish that she had tasted. A vegetable-only version of the dish is also available, but unlike most other Thai restaurants, there is no chicken or meat option.
Thai Kitchen also offers a selection of meat and vegetable dishes that you can arrange into your own combinations for lunch and dinner at an affordable price. These create-it-yourself entrees offer a wide variety of choices, letting you pick from six meats-beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, scallops, and duck-in addition to tofu. The menu boasts a huge selection of curry dishes, and portion sizes are generous. The massaman curry is worth trying, as is the Hampton chicken.
There is also a suitable soup and appetizer menu ($4-$6 for lunch, $4-$8 at dinner). For those willing to splurge a couple extra dollars, Thai-style drinks are also available, including a delicious Thai ice coffee. This tasty treat, as well as the Thai Rolls appetizer, made with tofu, are highly recommended.
Diners who crave spicy food will be pleased with the three-leveled rating system that identify hot dishes on the menu. I found it strange, however, that not a single item on the menu received the highest level of spiciness, which makes one wonder about the Thai Kitchen's spiciness capabilities. Regardless, this helpful hint in the menu is a welcome service for weaklings like myself who need to steer clear of such options.
Overall, Thai Kitchen's excellent service and delicious food make it a perfect option for anyone looking for great Thai cuisine.