We walked into Thai Basil in West Palm Beach at 6 PM on a Saturday night... and it was just us. Not another diner in sight. For a split second, I thought maybe the place had been rented out for a private party we weren't invited to. But, trusting the good reviews, we decided to stay and risk it. Worst case? We'd get our food before the menus even hit the table. We started with the curry puffs--crispy, warm, nicely seasoned. Solid little bites, though not exactly the type of appetizer you dream about later like an old high school crush. My salad with peanut dressing followed, but the dressing was more watery than I'd like. Tasty, yes, but I like my peanut dressing to hug the lettuce, not run away from it. And then--boom--the Penang curry chicken arrived and stole the spotlight. This was the real deal. The flavors were rich and balanced, with that "made from scratch" depth you can't fake. I asked for mine spicy and they nailed it--just the right amount of heat to make me sweat a little but still want to keep eating. And, I like it hot! Mission accomplished without losing flavor!! My wife went mild, and hers looked like it had been painted in softer pastels while mine was done in neon flames. Same dish, two totally different personalities. The owner came by to chat, and she was a delight. Turns out they grow their own peppers and make all their curries from scratch. Suddenly, it all made sense--the freshness, the layered flavors, the fact that my taste buds felt like they were on a guided tour of Thailand instead of eating reheated sauce from a jar. So yes, the restaurant was empty when we walked in. But this isn't a ghost town--it's a hidden gem. A 30 years in business hidden gem. Next time, I'm bringing more people along, partly for the company and partly so I don't feel like I accidentally booked a private dining experience. read more