My partner and I decided to try Tani Thai 02.20.2026 and stopped by around 6:30PM for dinner…read more
First off, the interior seemed clean and well-kept. The ambiance was dark and intimate, which I appreciated -- it gave the space a cozy, relaxed vibe that felt nice for a dinner date. The music was low and soft, which worked well since most of the tables were talking pretty loudly. It didn't feel chaotic or overstimulating, and we were still able to have a comfortable conversation. Service was decent -- we were seated quickly and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time.
Here's what we ordered:
Tiger's Tears ($15) - 3/5
This was the dish I was most excited about. It's described as grilled beef with chili-lime seasoning, onions, scallions, and sweet peppers. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The beef was noticeably tough, chewy, and a bit sinewy rather than tender and juicy. The chili-lime sauce was very sharp and aggressively acidic -- overwhelmingly sour to the point where it masked the savory, char-grilled flavor of the meat. It was supposed to be spicy, but as an Asian who regularly eats and enjoys spicy food, there was barely any heat at all. The dish looked vibrant and colorful, but flavor-wise it felt unbalanced and slightly one-dimensional.
Basil Fried Rice with Chicken ($18) - 2.5/5
The menu labeled this as spicy as well, but again, there was zero kick. Not even a subtle warmth. It tasted like very standard, plain fried rice -- mildly seasoned, slightly oily, and lacking depth. The fresh Thai basil aroma wasn't very pronounced, and the overall flavor felt muted and underwhelming. The chicken was okay texture-wise, but the dish as a whole didn't stand out or justify the price point. It needed more heat, more fragrance, and more boldness to feel like true Thai basil fried rice.
Coconut Mushroom Soup with Chicken ($5.50) - 2/5
This one was disappointing. When it first arrived, it was comforting and creamy with a light coconut aroma. Initially, it tasted balanced and mildly savory. However, as it sat and I alternated between dishes, the flavor became increasingly sour and slightly off-putting. The chicken was extremely dry, stringy, and overcooked, which made it difficult to enjoy. The broth lacked the rich, silky depth I was hoping for and ended up tasting thin, overly acidic, and somewhat flat.
Thai Teas ($5.50 each) - 3.5/5
Honestly, these saved the night. Sweet, creamy, and refreshing -- exactly what you expect from a good Thai tea. Smooth, well-balanced, and flavorful.
Water - 0/5
I took one sip and didn't touch it again. It tasted like straight tap water with a faint cleaning solution scent. Thankfully, we had the Thai Teas to rely on.
Overall, the experience was okay but not memorable. The atmosphere and ambiance were pleasant, but the food didn't quite deliver -- especially considering how Thai cuisine is typically bold, aromatic, spicy, and layered. For us, the dishes leaned either too sour or too bland, without much balance in between. Given the prices, we were expecting more depth and stronger flavors.
Not a terrible experience, but not one we'd rush back for either.