Given that I live two blocks west and this is the third tenant in this space since we moved in 2007, I was thrilled to read the LTH raves for Rainbow. I work in Lakeview and take the Brown Line, so I placed an order via Grub Hub at 5:25, and requested, under comments, a 6:30 pickup time. At 5:43, I received a text that my order was ready. On arrival, at 6:30, I was asked by the gentleman (perhaps the owner, I regret I didn't ask) at the window how I learned of Rainbow. I sheepishly said, "The website", assuming he knew which one, then added to be sure, "LTH Forum". He responded, "I thought so because you ordered the Issan sausage."
He informed me of a service charge from Grub Hub to restaurants for pickup orders, in this case $7.50. When I placed on my order, the screen showed I would have been charged $7.50 for delivery, but it appeared to be waived for pickup. I had no idea that this charge was passed on to the restaurants, so it looks like this was my last ever Grub Hub order. When paying for my meal I tipped him extra, to offset this fee, and he was extremely reluctant to accept it, trying very hard to return the money. Clearly his intent was just to educate me about GH for future circumstances, so consider it a lesson learned. I also received a carryout menu, and it indicates online ordering is available at
http://www.rainbowcuisine.us, as mentioned by geli.
Now for the food: Amazing! In addition to the sausage, we also ordered the Larb Ped (duck salad), Pad See Eiw with chicken, Soft Shell Crab Curry, and the free vegetable egg rolls available by coupon with a $20 order. The sausage was the best I have had, or perhaps tied for first with Lotus of Siam's in Vegas. They were like encased meatballs, and I think the world could use more of those! Equally revelatory was the crab curry. Inside the container were two decently-sized fried soft shell crabs, five to six inches across and a small pile of steamed or boiled vegetables (snow peas, carrots, broccoli, and baby corn), plus a styrofoam container of a deliciously balanced red curry sauce, and some steamed rice. This was really a gift for my husband, as he loves soft shell crab, and we rarely order it because I prefer meatier crabs and the texture isn't quite my thing. They were outstanding! The batter was more crumbly than a standard tempura, closer to the cornmeal coatings I'm used to on fish in my native Kentucky. The combination of textures and flavors was absolutely perfect in this dish. It will be interesting to see if they are frozen and remain on the menu year-round (such as at sushi restaurants) or are a seasonal specialty. Finally, the spice level, without me specifying desires, was right in my wheelhouse--spicy but not uncomfortably so. Everything paired quite nicely with our last bottle of Half Acre Horizon Ale from Next Thailand.
Thanks LTHers for the notice. I look forward to many more meals from Rainbow.