I have decided that it is not fair to write a restaurant review without visiting the place at least a few times (unless it is really bad!)
I have been enjoying Silk Thai for a number of years now. There was a short time when service was lacking a bit and there was another period of time when the food was not consistant. Today, however, and for the last two years I have found both service and food to always be excellent. I have lived and traveled throughout Asia. I love Thai food and have many favorites. I also have experienced both good and bad Thai restaurants, Silk Thai is one of the best.
Though the exterior of the restaurant in no way expresses the refined interior or the outstanding food. The Thai inspired interior decoration is very authentic and allows the diner to enjoy the many wood and textile arts of Thailand. The lighting is subdued, but not dark. If you are seated in one of the booths, it can be a great place for an intimate date. Be sure to visit the well appointed and lighted restrooms. Don't let the exterior stop you from going in to this lovely flavor of Thailand.
Though I have not eaten everything on the menu, I have tried enough to include Silk Thai on my favorite list of Tacoma restaurants. (and there aren't very many)
Most of the items on Silk Thai's "Nibbles" list can be found at most other Thai restaurants. There are a few things that I have found most outstanding. The FRESH SALAD ROLLS are very good and are offered with either chicken or tufu. They are heavily filled and at 4.95 for two, it is a reasonable nibble to start with. At four for 5.95, the CHICKEN SATAY is also very good. I only wish they would also offer beef, pork, shrimp or other varieties. I have enjoyed the KOH SAMUI CALAMARI (6.95), a very well prepared calamari dish, lightly dusted with rice flour and served with a sweet and sour sauce. You might also want to try the THAI LETTEUCE CUP (5.95). This dish is very similar to LARB GAI, one of my favorites. This is a finger food, in which you fill a leaf of iceberg lettuce with a mixture of minced chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts, garlic, and onions, all of which is mixed with a Silk Thai
magic spice. One of the Nibbles that is actually a full meal in it self is the SPICY THAI WRAP. This is a wonderful wrap, made up in a tomatoe basil tortilla, which is filled with chicken, house greens, red onions, tomatoes, sesame, seeds, cilantro and chopped peanuts. It can be dipped into a wonderful spicy Thai drassing.
Silk Thai's soup offerings are very similar to other Thai restaurants. The small is more than enough for one person and the large is adequate for four. Their TOM YUM (sm 4.95/lg 7.95) is very good, but my favorite is the TOM KAH GAI (sm 4.95/lg 7.95). A light, but filling soup is theirTHAI WONTON SOUP (sm 4.95/lg 7.95). I doubt that the wontons are in house made, but they are good.
I have really enjoyed the salad offerings at Silk Thai. Both their LARB and BEEF SALADS are very good. These are two of my favorite and often my measure for the quality of a Thai restaurant. If you are into really well prepared salads, I strongly suggest that you try the SILK THAI HOUSE SALAD (chicken 7.95/shrimp 9.95). It is a large salad that is tossed with pneapple and mango cubes, cucumbers, red onions, Thai basil, tamarind and lettuce, delicately dressed with a creamy peanut dressing and cilantro. So good! I also like the PAPAYA SALAD (7.95/with sticky rice add another 1.50). This salad is made with shredded green papaya and tossed with a wonderful lime dressing. I haven't yet had the oppurtunity to try the SEAFOOD SALAD, but have dined with friends who have said that it is very good. Prawns, scallops, calamari, and mussels are mixed witha lime dressing, chili peppers, onions, and peppermint. Though this salad will set you back 11.95, it is large, delicious, and a meal in it self.
The noodles at Silk Thai have varied in quality. The old stand by, PHAD THAI (chicken 8.95/beef or shrimp 9.95) is not the best I have eaten. In fact, as I think about it I have not found any of the noodle dishes at Silk Thai to be very good. It can be very disappointing, especially for those of you who love noodles.
As with the noodles, the rice dishes at Silk Thai are mediocre at best. I do appreciate the fact that in addition to white Jasmine steamed rice, you can order brown rice or sticky rice, which I love. I should also mention that rice is not included with dinner offerings and must be ordered separately. This has come about because the cost of rice is now so high - a fact of life.
Now for the main dishes! I really don't know where to start. Silk Thai offers a great variety different delicacies. I have found their seafood and meats to always be fresh and well prepared. Their sauces are tasty and compliment each dish being served. The vegetables are not over cooked, plentiful, crisp and flavorful. You probably won't go wrong with anything you might try. Experiment and enjoy! read more