justjoan wrote:i ate lunch twice last week at rainbow on a weekday and the wait wasn't terrible. the first time, the place was empty when our party of 3 arrived around 12:30. the second time, there was one other customer and 2 fried rice take out orders ahead of me. the only comment i can add to the discussion about the food is that we were all disappointed in the mussel pancake. it was light, crisp, greasy and very bland. it's the only dish i wouldn't bother ordering again. the issan sausage and the naem kha tod were the highlights for me.

what i find really strange is that none of the customers i saw were given the authentic menu, only the standard menu. seeing as how their upsurge in business is coming from excitement about the authentic menu, this seems like a missed opportunity.....

Purely speculating (and I'm SURE laikom will correct me if I'm off base ) but maybe they don't automatically offer the translated menu because they figure that people coming in to order the more authentic items tend to already know what they want and/or those who would want those items know to ask for the special menu. I think there is still the traditional mindset that "most" people want the Ameri-Thai stuff.

HI,

Spoon Thai long ago was reluctant to feed American's the real stuff, because real Thai food takes more effort to prepare. Since this cook originated from Spoon Thai, where she happened to learn how to cook, it may be a continuation of this thought process at her new restaurant.

Spoon Thai had two cooking staffs: one devoted to real Thai food and the other to American-audience Thai food.

Regards,

boudreaulicious wrote:I think there is still the traditional mindset that "most" people want the Ameri-Thai stuff.

I think that it's not a "mindset" that most people want the Ameri-Thai stuff, but more of a fact that most people want the Ameri-Thai stuff. Next time you are somewhere like Spoon or Sticky Rice or Aroy, look around at what's on the other tables. You usually get handed the Ameri-Thai menu first because these restauranteurs know what most of their customers are ordering.

While enjoying a recent meal at Spoon, we overheard a patron at the next table order crab rangoon and cashew chicken, then proclaim to their companion that they don't really like Thai food. That might be because you didn't order any Thai food, sweetheart.

--Rich

RAB wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:I think there is still the traditional mindset that "most" people want the Ameri-Thai stuff.

I think that it's not a "mindset" that most people want the Ameri-Thai stuff, but more of a fact that most people want the Ameri-Thai stuff. Next time you are somewhere like Spoon or Sticky Rice or Aroy, look around at what's on the other tables. You usually get handed the Ameri-Thai menu first because these restauranteurs know what most of their customers are ordering.

While enjoying a recent meal at Spoon, we overheard a patron at the next table order crab rangoon and cashew chicken, then proclaim to their companion that they don't really like Thai food. That might be because you didn't order any Thai food, sweetheart.

--Rich

Absolutely right. Most people wouldn't know what to do with the authentic menu. But, having said that, it must be increasing in popularity because Spoon recently revamped their on line and in house menus to include all of the "thai menu" dishes. So to justjoan's point--it isn't completely unheard of for places to give that menu out--it's just not everywhere--YET.

I would bet it has little to do with any conscious effort on their part one way or another. Pramote is so charmingly absentminded it's more likely he simply forgot. If it was a server, it's because some of them are new and have no clue why these fat Americans are all ordering real Thai food.

Cathy, I really doubt, in fact i'm sure that they are not making any attempt to avoid preparing the authentic stuff. Both of the owners are very thrilled to see people ordering it. They were pleasantly surprised by the the fact that there are Americans out there with spicy thai tastes and would go great lengths to see that people get the type food they're expecting.

I asked one of the delivery drivers, and after the interest from LTH and then newspapers, regular delivery and carry out orders also increased by at least 100%, and this is what they told me earlier on so the effect may be even greater. The general popularity of the place helps both sides of the business. Another interesting menu related note: Pramote once told me he knows to make the food spicy when people order using their phone instead of the menu.

laikom wrote:Pramote once told me he knows to make the food spicy when people order using their phone instead of the menu.

Not that absent-minded

boudreaulicious wrote:

laikom wrote:Pramote once told me he knows to make the food spicy when people order using their phone instead of the menu.

Not that absent-minded

The best of us have just a bit of ADHD.

Am I correct that some dishes aren't on the online menu and so have to be ordered over the phone (or in person, obviously)?

Darren72 wrote:Am I correct that some dishes aren't on the online menu and so have to be ordered over the phone (or in person, obviously)?

I don't think the traditional thai dishes are online anywhere.

Thanks - that's what I thought. I wasn't sure if there was a trick.

Yeah--I encountered that little glitch last night. The mushroom salad and issan sausages are on the on line menu but not the naem khao tod--so I called that in as an add on to the order but had to pay cash for the extra item. Would've called in the whole thing but was ordering from the el and didn't want anyone to overhear me read off my CC#

RAB wrote:While enjoying a recent meal at Spoon, we overheard a patron at the next table order crab rangoon and cashew chicken, then proclaim to their companion that they don't really like Thai food. That might be because you didn't order any Thai food, sweetheart.

--Rich

Or, they knew they didn't like Thai food so they ordered some of the non-Thai dishes...

Another Rainbow Thai Grand Slam, Jazzfood and I were the first to try Sai Qua and it was simply terrific! Moist, herby, porky, spicy, balanced. Pramote said Rainbows version is with house made curry paste and heavy on the herbs. To use Alan's words, stunning, simply stunning.

I am in love all over again!
(Yes, I know, I'm a little over the top hyperbole wise, I think I have a sai qua buzz going

Sai Qua, Rainbow Thai

Among the best sausage I've ever eaten. The heavier herbal notes that lent obvious tooth to the texture over all other's i've tasted, coupled w/the moistness- it really was a superb flavor bomb.

G Wiv wrote:Another Rainbow Thai Grand Slam, Jazzfood and I were the first to try Sai Qua and it was simply terrific! Moist, herby, porky, spicy, balanced. Pramote said Rainbows version is with house made curry paste and heavy on the herbs. To use Alan's words, stunning, simply stunning.

Had some on Sunday and it was fantastic. Really herbal and delicious. Can't wait for it to be in the regular rotation.

Pramote made a point of mentioning the Sai Qua, noting that "It's northern-style, so it's not as sour as the Isaan." I enjoyed the Northern Thai Sausage at Sticky Rice, and Sai Qua at Rainbow made my week. The house-made curry, fresh herbs, and the obvious love that went into the preparation of this sausage made the experience for me.

Apparently the lunchtime crowd is lacking. I was there today with a friend and, for the 2 hours we spent there, only one couple and one solo diner appeared. Here I was thinking we'd have to wait in line for a table...

Thanks everyone for introducing me to Rainbow. I went there last night and it was definitely the best thai food I've had in chicago. All the recommendations here were great. I went with one of the people "who doesn't usually like thai food" and she was amazed. I told her that it was because she never orders any "thai" food. We had the naem khao thawt (crispy rice is great with anything but rainbow had it just perfect!), Kai Tod, basil chicken with egg (my favorite), pad ped pla duk - stir fried catfish in red paste, and a few other things.

They said they'll be adding more things to the menu in the next couple of week with more soups and northern thai dishes.

fropones wrote:

G Wiv wrote:Another Rainbow Thai Grand Slam, Jazzfood and I were the first to try Sai Qua and it was simply terrific! Moist, herby, porky, spicy, balanced. Pramote said Rainbows version is with house made curry paste and heavy on the herbs. To use Alan's words, stunning, simply stunning.

Had some on Sunday and it was fantastic. Really herbal and delicious. Can't wait for it to be in the regular rotation.

OK this sai ua sausage is no freaking joke. I'm tempted to claim it is somehow inauthentic because it is significantly more moist and flavorful than any other version I've ever had. This is truly a life changing sausage, indeed. Really really really good stuff.

Hi. THis is my first post. I appreciate all of the great reviews here and thought that I would share my experience at Rainbow. I ordered over the phone for delivery. Based on the reviews here, I ordered the naem khao thawt , red curry with pork, issan sausage, and mushroom salad. Two dishes into my order, the gentleman on the phone asked if I had ever eaten in the restaurant before since I was ordering dishes that were not on the online menu. I explained how I discovered his restaurant on LTH. He was super nice and my food came in about 20 minutes even though he said he thought it would take 40. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he threw in a free order of potstickers. I really enjoyed the crispy rice; i had never had a dish like it. Mushroom salad was very nice as well, although not as spicy as I thought it was going to be (the owner asked if I wanted it spicy). Still great flavor and I enjoyed the texture of the mushrooms. Red curry was very good, although I'm not sure if I would order again anytime soon given all the other dishes available. The issan sausage was very good. The only other kind I've had was at Sticky Rice. It's been a while since i've had theirs but my distinct impression was that Rainbow's had a more pungent or fermented flavor- which i really enjoyed. Overall, I was very happy and fed off of these dishes for several days (the order was just for me). Oh, and the postickers were very good. I think it was a pork filling- not exactly sure but very flavorful.

buttercream wrote:Hi. THis is my first post. I appreciate all of the great reviews here and thought that I would share my experience at Rainbow. I ordered over the phone for delivery. Based on the reviews here, I ordered the naem khao thawt , red curry with pork, issan sausage, and mushroom salad. Two dishes into my order, the gentleman on the phone asked if I had ever eaten in the restaurant before since I was ordering dishes that were not on the online menu. I explained how I discovered his restaurant on LTH. He was super nice and my food came in about 20 minutes even though he said he thought it would take 40. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he threw in a free order of potstickers. I really enjoyed the crispy rice; i had never had a dish like it. Mushroom salad was very nice as well, although not as spicy as I thought it was going to be (the owner asked if I wanted it spicy). Still great flavor and I enjoyed the texture of the mushrooms. Red curry was very good, although I'm not sure if I would order again anytime soon given all the other dishes available. The issan sausage was very good. The only other kind I've had was at Sticky Rice. It's been a while since i've had theirs but my distinct impression was that Rainbow's had a more pungent or fermented flavor- which i really enjoyed. Overall, I was very happy and fed off of these dishes for several days (the order was just for me). Oh, and the postickers were very good. I think it was a pork filling- not exactly sure but very flavorful.

Welcome, and thank you for posting! Sounds like a great order. I adore that mushroom salad, which consistently has a perfect balance of sour and searing, not over the top, as you mentioned.

I brought an old friend and her husband who were visiting from NJ in for a late lunch/early dinner on Tuesday before they headed to the airport. I pre-ordered the "mainstays: naem khao thawt, issan sausages, raw shrimp salad, mushroom salad and red curry with duck--there were only 3 of us and they'd had a full breakfast at Little Goat not too many hours before and almost everything was devoured. They'd never had anything like it and were blown away by the brightness of the flavors. And, of course, Mote and Wan Pen couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. So much fun introducing people to this place...

And, by the way, Mote keeps a calendar of when certain people eat there I asked him when he was "discovered" and he was able to give me the date, along with every subsequent visit by certain FOR ("Friends of Rainbow"). For some reason, that cracked me up!!

boudreaulicious wrote:And, by the way, Mote keeps a calendar of when certain people eat there I asked him when he was "discovered" and he was able to give me the date, along with every subsequent visit by certain FOR ("Friends of Rainbow"). For some reason, that cracked me up!!

Good to know if I ever have to establish an alibi.

Hi! Took the husband out to Rainbow Thai last night. This is the first time i've actually eaten inside the place. My first time was a delivery to my apt. It was nice meeting the owner in person. He is so sweet! And the older gentleman who brought our food out, not sure if that's the father, but he was also very engaging and interested in how we liked the food. We arrived at about 8:30. There were a couple of other tables filled but we easily got a table for two. We ordered my husband's stand-by of fried catfish with curry and shrimp fried rice. Both were done very well. His idea of excellent fried rice is that it be very moist which it was (and flavorful). Nice shrimp as well. I ordered the papaya salad with salted crab. OMG- the crab was really too funky for me. The older gentleman actually told me that in Thailand, people prefer a version that's on the saltier side. They don't like the particular type of crab that I was eating. The rest of the salad was very good though- spicy, not not flaming hot like the kind I've had at Sticky Rice. They suggested that next time I order it with sticky rice and fried chicken. I also ordered the boat noodle soup which was tasty. I think i've had the boat noodle dish at Tac Quick which I remember having more depth of flavor, but I might be mixing dishes up. Any how, the noodle soup had nice chunks of beef, and what appeared to be brisket, but i"m not sure exactly. We had a very pleasant time chatting with the owner. He mentioned that business had slowed down a bit. I suggested that he get a better sign and he said he's been waiting on the city for 4 months for approval. Poor guy. I hope that he gets it sign. I think a lot of people have no clue his restaurant even exists unless they read food columns. Another group that was in the restaurant mentioned that they were going to recommend this on Check Please, which as we know is a curse and a blessing. He also mentioned he might be expanding into the space next door eventually. He's working with the new landowner and management. I mentioned that I try cooking Thai food at home and he invited me to stop by anytime and they would teach me some recipes which I will definitely take him up on. Last interesting note of the evening, as we're chatting, a woman in chefs clothing walks in for a second. I don't take much notice- I'm not sure if she was just picking up something but after she left, the owner told me that's Elizabeth, she owns the restaurant down from us. I think it was actually the Elizabeth of Elizabeth Restaurant. I had no clue it was so close. I asked if he ever ate there and he laughed, and said it would a full day's profit in order for him to eat there, so I guess not.

One correction on my post- the owner of Elizabeth's Restaurant is not "Elizabeth" which I was told is actually her sister's name. But it was the owner who walked into Rainbow Thai.

We had a craving! We like rainbow thai and love to support our neighbor even more. But he's got is profit margins wrong, it's not as much as he thinks.

ilianaregan wrote:We had a craving! We like rainbow thai and love to support our neighbor even more. But he's got is profit margins wrong, it's not as much as he thinks.

You two should come up with a barter arrangement, Iliana!

chgoeditor wrote:

ilianaregan wrote:We had a craving! We like rainbow thai and love to support our neighbor even more. But he's got is profit margins wrong, it's not as much as he thinks.

You two should come up with a barter arrangement, Iliana!

I was thinking more along the lines of a collaboration dinner, but then, that is a bit of a selfish thought.

laikom wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:

ilianaregan wrote:We had a craving! We like rainbow thai and love to support our neighbor even more. But he's got is profit margins wrong, it's not as much as he thinks.

You two should come up with a barter arrangement, Iliana!

I was thinking more along the lines of a collaboration dinner, but then, that is a bit of a selfish thought.

YES

+1 for collaboration dinner!!!