The journey to Ruan Thai

Ruan Thai was voted one of the  2013 10 Best restaurants in Maryland by Washingtonian Magazine. 

My first introduction to Thai food was in the late 1980's in Houston, Texas. I was talking with a client and mentioned that I liked spicy food. She recommended a Thai restaurant near Kirby Rd in Houston. I drove to the restaurant later that day. The dishes were flavorful and  spicy, the Thai iced coffee was  a cool, sweet balance to the  dishes I'd ordered. 

Since moving to the DC area I'd not found a Thai restaurant that I felt I could call my 'go to' place. You know, that restaurant consistently serves  good food whether you order food ''to go' or dine in. I'd found two Thai restaurants  in the Dallas/Ft Worth metro area that consistently flavorful food - Taste of Thai in Arlington and Royal Thai in Dallas.

After seeing the ranking by Washingtonian Magazine I wondered if Ruan Thai was the restaurant I had been searching for.

When I read reviews about the restaurant diners frequently commented about the parking. When I journeyed to Ruan Thai on a Sunday afternoon I quickly noticed the limited parking space and the signs warning patrons to not park their vehicles in the adjacent lot for barber and drycleaning customers. Metered off street parking is available along Amherst Ave. I secured a spot in front of the restaurant and reconfirmed with a Ruan Thai staff member that my car was in an acceptable parking space.

I was quickly escorted to a seat and offered a menu. Lots of menu options, including the well known pad thai. I orders Singha beer ( a Thai lager style beer) and a small tom yum soup. I asked the server for suggestions. He glanced at the soup and beer and shyly stated that it depended on what I liked- spicy or mild, what type of meat. I smiled and asked him what his favorite dish was on the menu. Answer: crispy duck Thai style.

The tom yum soup was fragrant and  tasty- full of plump mushrooms, bits of cilantro and tender pieces of chicken.



tom yum soup

I ordered the crispy duck Thai style and dish asked that the spice level be Thai level. I surveyed two other staff  members who suggested trying the spicy beef. I ordered that as well.

crispy duck Thai style

spicy beef

I enjoyed the duck and beef entrees. Both were well seasoned and the duck spicy with a bit of heat. After sampling each dish the staff boxed the remaining food 'to go' for me.  Having dessert was out of the question- I was stuffed.  I noted that the restaurant  was now full of diners from all  backgrounds and cultures selecting which items  from the menu to eat.

 

I walked to my car and noted how other diners had double  parked their vehicles to avoid parking near the barbershop or drycleaners. I can only imagine what it's like on a weeknight or Saturday when the parking meters are running.  I placed my bag of leftovers in the passenger seat and headed home knowing that for at least two days I would be eating leftovers from Ruan Thai.

 

The bathroom was clean, but smelled strongly of disinfectant or bleach.

 

Ruan Thai is very family friendly and can accommodate groups. The closest metro stop is Wheaton. If you drive and park,  pay close attention to the signs in the parking lot Ruan Thai occupies as well as metered parking requirements as ticketing and towing are vigorously enforced.

 

I'd visit Ruan Thai again, but I'm not certain that it will be my 'go to' place for Thai dishes. I have been told of an ongoing debate that  nearby Nava Thai  is as good, if not better than Ruan Thai. I'll check out Nava Thai soon.

 

Where do you suggest I look for flavorful, well seasoned Thai dishes?

 

Be well,

Technicolor girl