Pilin Thai - in search of Thai food

I generally bring my lunch to work, but I'd forgotten to this day. Since the office had relocated from Maryland to Virginia I rarely had to explore local venues for lunch. I had no idea where I was going and decided to drive through a nearby strip mall in hopes that something  catch my eye and I could avoid busy chain restaurants.  The neon 'Thai Food' sign in the window caught my eye. I parked and decided to check out Pilin Thai.

Pilin Thai's décor is simple and colorful. Diners can secure a table before submitting the meal requests at the order station.  A petite, soft spoken women smiled brightly at me and asked what I would like to order. In addition a list of familiar dishes (Massaman curries, pad Thai, and soups) a list of daily specials and lunch box specials were posted near the order station. I told the woman I was torn between the spicy chicken lunch box special and the spicy pork belly special (crispy pork belly pad phrik khing). After a second or two she told me the pork belly was her favorite and recommended it. I selected a beverage, paid the bill and secured a table while I waited for my food.

Crispy pork belly pad phrik khing

A  wiry looking man sat quietly in the back of the room reading a newspaper. He appeared to be absorbed with the newspaper. A bell rang from the kitchen. The man moved quickly from his seat and walked to  an opening in the wall  between dining room and kitchen.  Seconds later he was standing adjacent to my table with my dish in hand and napkin wrapped utensils.

 

I tend to not order pork but this dish was very good! The pork was crisp and  well cooked. The green beans were crisp and crunchy - they tasted fresh, not canned or frozen. This dish was truly spicy. I felt the heat prickling my scalp. I smiled and thank the dining gods for pointing me to Pilin Thai.

 

While I savored my dish and marveled that this restaurant was so close to the office another customer came in and studied the menu closely. After a few minutes he stated loudly to the woman that he was waiting for her.  She replied in the quiet voice that she used when she took my order that she had asked him if he was ready. Angered, the customer told the woman that perhaps she should speak up so that she could be heard.  All the time the woman never stopped smiling and never raised her voice.  There is no doubt in my mind that had the exchange escalated the quiet man in the back would be a force to be reckoned with.

 

After the customer left, the woman looked at me and asked if I liked my dish. I replied affirmatively and told her that I was 'simple'. She smiled again and told me that she has been cooking for 25 years and that Pilin Thai has two locations - one in Vienna, VA;  the other in Falls Church, VA. She said  the restaurant industry is not for everyone.

 

I didn't check the bathroom.

 

The restaurant is very family friendly.

 

When metro's silver line opens Pilin Thai will be within walking distance of the Greensboro metro stop. I think I've found my 'go to' Thai food restaurant near work. I look forward to returning to try more dishes on Pilin Thai's menu.

 



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