good introductory thai

Here's the deal:

Two couples heading downtown on Saturday night. We want good authentic Thai but don't want to eat any crickets. Where should we go?

Would Spoon Thai be a good option?

Also, we want to stay away from The Taste.

Thanks,

Saps

saps wrote:Two couples heading downtown on Saturday night. We want good authentic Thai but don't want to eat any crickets. Where should we go?

Would Spoon Thai be a good option?

Also, we want to stay away from The Taste.

saps,
I'm guessing that you're using the term "downtown" in the broadest possible sense. By my definition (which I think is pretty widely used), Spoon is nowhere near downtown, and downtown is very near The Taste.

If you just kinda mean "in the city", then I don't think you'll find any Thai restaurant that's going to serve you crickets or anything odd unless you specifically ask for it. Spoon, Sticky Rice, TAC, Thai Avenue, etc. Any of the well-regarded restaurants around here will provide you with some authentic tastes.

Spoon is an excellent choice not only for its food, but for it's proximity to Lincoln Square which is a nice area to walk around. But, it was prominently mentioned in this week's Reader, which may increase their clientele this weekend. Personally, I wouldn't be deterred.

There are tons of great authentic Spoon recommendations on this site that don't involve any insects or extremely odd ingredients. Also, Erik M.'s recent Thai menu translation from Spoon is full of interesting options:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=74762#74762

Best,
Michael

I love Spoon Thai and live very nearby. You should note that street parking is very easy in the area.

Although Erik M's translated menu also contains items found on the regular menu, I'm guessing from your post that you might also like to see Spoon Thai's regular menu. You'll notice that in addition to the amazing offerings listed on the translated menu, Spoon Thai offers dishes that you would typically find at most Thai restaurants.

If you actually are using a more strict downtown definition, just about your only real choice is Silver Spoon on Rush. It's owned by the Spoon Thai owners, and serves Thai and Japanese fare.


Silver Spoon
710 N Rush Street
Chicago, IL
312-944-7100

eatchicago wrote:
saps,
I'm guessing that you're using the term "downtown" in the broadest possible sense. By my definition (which I think is pretty widely used), Spoon is nowhere near downtown, and downtown is very near The Taste.

It's also possible saps is confusing Spoon Thai with Thai Spoon (on Wabash & Harrison)...

gleam wrote:If you actually are using a more strict downtown definition, just about your only real choice is Silver Spoon on Rush. It's owned by the Spoon Thai owners, and serves Thai and Japanese fare.


Silver Spoon
710 N Rush Street
Chicago, IL
312-944-7100

If 710 Rush is "strictly downtown" then what about Singha, or Star of Siam? My understanding is that they are operated by the same folks (as each other, not "same as Silver Spoon"). It's been a while since I've been to either, but I found both respectable. Further north, I've also enjoyed Quang Noodle for Vietnamese and Thai (I usually ordered from the vietnamese side of the menu, now that I think about it.)

Or is your statement about "only real choice" an editorial comment? I've never been to Silver Spoon, but I wouldn't be too worried about sending someone to any of these three.

As for even more strictly downtown (as discussed thoroughly in this thread, I can't be of much help. I ate at a place on Michigan down near Grant Park a few years ago but (a) I wasn't that impressed and (b) I think it's closed now.

Star of Siam
11 E Illinois St
Chicago, IL
(312) 670-0100

Singha Thai Restaurant
350 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
(312) 467-0300

Quang Noodle
804 N State St
Chicago, IL
(312) 951-9030

Yeah, my definition of downtown doesn't Silver Spoon, either, but it's more downtown than Lincoln Square