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| Thai Bistro for dinner Photo copyright Marc Weinberg |
Today's Business: Thai Bistro, 18336 Aurora Ave N
Text and photos, Marc Weinberg
If you were to say that our THAI BISTRO is a ‘family affair’, you’d be exactly right. Learning from Mom, this family adventure of owning and managing a restaurant began more than 25 years ago. On occasion Mom is still preparing authentic dishes with daily activities being managed by family members like Nui, Nooch and Kane. And somewhere there’s an aunt and a husband that I’ve never met.
What makes Thai Bistro such a pleasure are the flavors, the choices and all of the serving staff along with the family. You’ll quickly feel at home in the custom designed interior with traditionally carved teak columns/décor. The artistic design elements and lighting are drawn together by a hand painted wall scene that transports you to Thailand. Seating is plentiful at both tables and booths in a large open space with carved wooden ceiling fans and custom lamps.
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| Custom lighting illuminates the hand carved wood with the traditional magenta glow of Thailand, Photo copyright, Marc Weinberg |
Lunch time is as great as dinner and I’ve worked through as much of the menu as I could since they opened in 2007. Unfortunately I’ve stumbled on a few specialties that I love and have been known to repeat, like the curry dishes with a variety of meat choices and my all-time dependable “Mom’s Favorite.” What’s so funny about this is that until recently I just thought it was a ‘catchy’ name assigned to this dish. But now the secret is out, and you and I both know it is indeed ‘mom’s favorite.’
By ‘specialties’ I mean choices that include duck, lamb and fish that go beyond a typical American/Thai establishment. Yes there are spicy ones, but most can be seasoned to your taste whatever your background or discriminating palate. Beer, wine and spirits are also on the menu along with some great hot tea selections and my personal favorite again is iced ‘Thai Tea’.
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| On Friday and Saturday evenings the kitchen is on a fast track to perfection with each dish. Photo copyright Marc Weinberg |
Parking is free and plentiful immediately outside in a well illuminated area. Thai Bistro is located near Bartell Drugs and the Starbucks on the SE corner of 185th St and Aurora Ave N. (Across Aurora from Fred Meyers)
I know I used the word ‘favorite’ a few times in this article, but it’s not easy talking about ‘our Thai Bistro’ without that characterization. If you give it a try, you just might be speaking like I am.
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| Your table is waiting Photo copyright, Marc Weinberg |
For more detail about their commitment to your satisfaction, the menu and the care with which dishes are prepared, please visit their website.
And please tell whoever serves you that you read about them in the Shoreline Area News for an extra smile at no charge.
Well described!
ReplyDeleteWe've been going to Thai Bistro since shortly after it opened, and it supplanted out then-previous favorite about the same distance to our north. The atmosphere, the location, the food, and the host are all reasons we're regulars and our offspring have become regulars in their own right.
I also tried a number of different dishes, all excellent, but never intending to work through the menu. I have, however, landed on two particular favorites, and "Mom" always remembers what my favorite is (sometimes I mix her up in switching to "the other one"), how I like it prepared, and what I love for dessert. Hint: the latter is the black sticky rice with mango, which is enough for 2 but you have to ask for it, else you get the white sticky rice!
Thai Bistro has a number of teas, most decaffeinated, which are a great addition to your meal. They even have a long rectangular table for larger groups. One tip: if it's cold outside, it can get drafty at the two booths next to the front door if you're on the side that's adjacent to it.