Slowly making my way through Jersey's Thai restaurants and seeing which ones stand out... Up next…read moreon my list was Topaz Thai in Belleville, a business that's been sitting in my Yelp collections for awhile. With plenty of positive reviews, I was excited to give it a try! This family-owned biz is on Washington Ave. Parking can be a little annoying since it's a busy street with metered spaces, but there's a small paid lot next door with a limited number of spots. I stopped by on a Saturday evening and was seated right away. The place felt cozy and casual with the charm of a mom-and-pop restaurant. The menu is full of Thai classics, and the lunch specials seem like a great value. Prices are reasonable too, with most entrees under $20. Whenever I try a new Thai spot, I like to get a few staple dishes that I've ordered countless times before. Consider it my unofficial Litmus test! I went with: *Mama Loaded Thai Tacos $11.95 [crispy shells topped with ground chicken, herbs, cilantro, nuts, ginger, and lemon] - Loaded is definitely the right word here. These crispy shells were packed to the brim with flavorful, well-seasoned ground chicken and toppings in every bite. They also served it with a bottle of their EXTRA spicy Thai chili sauce-and trust me, it lives up to its name. Just a few drops had my tongue on fire! They're not traditional tacos, but I liked the Thai-inspired twist on them. The unique flavors were a delicious start to the meal. *Chicken Rama Curry with side of Jasmine rice $16.95 [coconut milk, red curry paste, roasted peanuts, tamarind paste, and fish sauce topped with chicken & mixed vegetables] - The winning dish! The curry was so rich, creamy, and nutty. It was so good that I was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink every last drop LOL. The spice level started off mild, but the heat slowly built up after a few spoonfuls. *Chicken Pad Thai $15.95 [stir-fried thin noodles with egg, peanuts, scallion, bean sprouts, and tamarind sauce] - You can't skip Thailand's national dish! The noodles were perfectly cooked, and they didn't skimp on the protein. I got PLENTY of tender chicken in every bite. The only thing holding it back from being a 5/5 for me was the sauce. Pad thai is known for its balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, and this was a little TOO sweet for me. The sugar overpowered the other flavors. I wish they had given me a lime wedge to brighten things up. Still, I enjoyed the dish overall and can see it being a hit for anyone who prefers a sweeter pad thai. *Mango Sticky Rice $12.95 [coconut sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut cream] - It's mango season, baby, so there's no way I was leaving without ordering this! The rice was warm, lightly sweet, and infused with a creamy coconut flavor. Absolutely loved the sticky and chewy texture. The mango was more sour/tart than sweet. A riper mango would've made this dessert even better, but this was still the perfect ending to a meal. As for the portion sizes? No complaints. I had leftovers to take home and still felt satisfied. The service was on point! Everyone was kind and attentive. The food came out quickly, so there really wasn't much waiting around. Topaz Thai, you made a strong first impression! Between the homey atmosphere, solid food, reasonable prices, great value, and friendly service, this spot easily earned a second visit. I'm excited to come back and try more menu items!

While Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines seem to grab most of the Asian culinary spotlight in…read morethe US, don't sell Thai food short. It is more than curries and papaya salad. The cuisine takes the perfect blend of spicy, acidic, sweet, and aromatic to form bold and dynamic flavors. Located right between Belleville Park and the Passaic River on a busy Washington Avenue, Topaz Thai is a beloved family-owned/family-run BYOB establishment known for its Thai cuisine. Upon entering as a first-timer, I was greeted by the owner's wife, Bankie, and led to a table by the window inside a cozy, warm, and welcoming dining area with minimal traditional Thai decor. I decided on the Pad Thai () with fried tofu accompanied by Thai iced tea (). The food was incredibly flavorful and fresh, using the best ingredients, resulting in the perfect balance of spices. Every dish is thoughtfully executed and prepared to provide an authentic taste. The tofu was perfectly cooked. Portion size was just right. The staff was warm, welcoming, and very attentive, which made the whole dining experience even better. Since I had the entire place to myself, I had the honor to speak with the cook/owner, Narit. Over the years, it has become a go-to spot for both locals and visitors seeking a genuine taste of Thailand.