JoelF wrote:We've had a hankering for Thai for a while, so it was either a short trip to Lai Thai in Morton Grove, or a longer drive to one of the Thai GNRs we haven't hit yet, Aroy or TAC Quick.
Based on Ronnie's photos above, I decided on Aroy. I regret the hour plus rush-hour drive not in the least -- this was a fantastic meal.
Seeing that almost everyone in the room is Asian, probably Thai, doesn't so much point out the quality or authenticity since Spoon is still top notch -- it's more a matter that the general public haven't caught on yet. The fact that we had to ask specifically for the Thai Classics menu is a small notch against them, along with the impression I got that the Thai-speaking folk got served faster -- not that we waited long, and service was entirely responsive and friendly -- but it sure seemed like the folks on either side of us had food much more quickly than I would expect in a restaurant.
We ordered the Sai Ua sausage, Tom Yum with Beef Balls, the Pork Larb (not the northern, we're just not offal fans) and just to round it out, Panang Curry with chicken.
The Sai Ua sausage is amazing: a little sour and spicy, great crisp skin, and a big hit of ginger. Love the peanuts, ginger cubes and chile slices along with it.
The Tom Yum with Beef Balls and Tender was like the perfect blend of the best Tom Yum I've had (Lotus of Siam in Vegas) and Pho: lemongrass and star anise flavors with lots of heat and sour you don't get in Pho. The beef, mushrooms and meatballs were nicely done.
Pork Larb was a great example of the genre (although I usually expect a bit more veg in something called a salad -- only a slice of cabbage here). Sweet, salty, sour and spicy, right flavors. I think Spoon's Pork Neck version is a little better.
After the intensity of the Tom Yum and Larb, the Panang seemed a little cloyingly sweet. Really, it's a good version, but nothing special. Stick to the Thai Classics menu.
I'd be happy to go back. Tomorrow. Thankfully, I've got leftovers of all four dishes, and $37 before tip is a bargain.
JoelF wrote:Pork Larb was a great example of the genre (although I usually expect a bit more veg in something called a salad -- only a slice of cabbage here).
JoelF wrote:After the intensity of the Tom Yum and Larb, the Panang seemed a little cloyingly sweet. Really, it's a good version, but nothing special. Stick to the Thai Classics menu.
YourPalWill wrote:Does Aroy offer a translated version of its Thai menu?
BR wrote:YourPalWill wrote:Does Aroy offer a translated version of its Thai menu?
Yes - it will almost certainly be given to you when you're seated.
BR wrote:YourPalWill wrote:Does Aroy offer a translated version of its Thai menu?
Yes - it will almost certainly be given to you when you're seated.
YourPalWill wrote:Does Aroy offer a translated version of its Thai menu?
Habibi wrote:Last time I was there I had to ask for the Thai menu. This doesn't bother me in the least. Why should it?
riddlemay wrote:Assuming the question isn't rhetorical, I'll tell you why it bothers me. I get a signal that I'm not as welcome to enjoy certain dishes as other patrons are.
thaiobsessed wrote:On one visit, one of the servers seemed surprised that we ordered exclusively from the Thai classics menu and told me that most non-Thai customers "never even look at it" (though I bet that's changing with all the good press). I think they don't give it out either because of an oversight or because they think people don't care to see it.
chezbrad wrote:thaiobsessed wrote:On one visit, one of the servers seemed surprised that we ordered exclusively from the Thai classics menu and told me that most non-Thai customers "never even look at it" (though I bet that's changing with all the good press). I think they don't give it out either because of an oversight or because they think people don't care to see it.
Yeah, on my last two visits the waitress asked me "Have you been to Thailand?" with a tone that was really asking, "How did you know to order these things?" I just don't think there's a critical mass of interest from the casual customer for the Thai Classics items, such that even the dozens of LTH-inspired visits don't register with the staff there. Maybe someone should tip them off to the site, no?
boudreaulicious wrote:I just don't understand why this bothers people so much. Who cares why they ask? Who cares if we sometimes need to ask for the menu? Unless it changes the taste of the food or is accompanied by rude or inefficient service, I would think we'd all have better things to do during our meal than pondering this travesty.
YourPalWill wrote:I was just wondering because I got a strange look and denial that such a thing existed at Spoon a couple of weeks ago. Looking forward to giving Aroy a try this week.
JoelF wrote:Lao Sze Chuan has no problem with various pig intestine dishes on their main menu.
Kennyz wrote:YourPalWill wrote:I was just wondering because I got a strange look and denial that such a thing existed at Spoon a couple of weeks ago. Looking forward to giving Aroy a try this week.
I don't think such a thing does exist at Spoon anymore. When I was there recently, the dishes from the formerly separate translated menu were now part of the regular, single menu provided to all customers.
ronnie_suburban wrote:10 of us dined at Aroy last night and had a very enjoyable meal. What I repeatedly find myself thinking and saying after eating there with first-timers is "if they didnt' like that, they just don't like Aroy."
ronnie_suburban wrote:Crispy Catfish with Thai Eggplant and Green Peppercorn
I believe this dish is on the menu Aroy, or at least I remember having it there before. The catfish was indeed crispy and I believe it even contained edible bones (someone at the table mentioned this). I'm a big fan of Thai eggplant, too so I really enjoyed this dish, even though I was very, very full by the time it was served at the end of the meal.
Kennyz wrote:Just tried the pra phat jar, a dish with a totally different flavor profile from anything else I've had at Aroy, on account of the heavy use of zippy green peppercorns. It's a deeply aromatic curry with catfish, lemongrass and other herbs and spices too - but the refreshing, simultaneously cooling and hot green peppercorns are clearly there to dominate.
Pra Phat Jar: