They must have came a long way in a few weeks. I'll stay away till I hear more positive remarks about the place.
I'm a connoisseur of good Thai cuisine. The only downside to that is having to drive to Asheville to get good Thai food (short of making it myself or having my Thai friend make it). When I heard that Wise was getting a Thai restaurant, I was skeptical. Authentic Thai is hard to get. So I went into Dara Thai with more than a little trepidation.
Tonight I gave the place a thorough test and it passed with flying colors.
I gauge a Thai restaurant based on four dishes. Gai tom kha, pad thai, gang gai (chicken red curry), and laab (or larb).
The gai tom kha (chicken galangal on DT's menu) is a smooth coconut based soup with hints of galangal (similar to ginger), cilantro and fish sauce. Dara Thai's came with a good assortment of chicken, straw mushrooms, baby corn, and cilantro. While not the best I've had, it was quite good. Add a little rice and you've got a good meal.
The pad thai (rice noodle with bean sprouts, peanuts, tofu, and egg) wasn't bad. A little on the sweet side, but still better than anything you'll get this side of Asheville.
The laab (ground meat with lime juice, fish sauce, cilantro and red onion) was superb. My favorite Thai dish and they served it to perfection. If you try nothing else, try this dish.
The gang gai (chicken curry) was some of the best I've ever had. Sweet with a spicy finish. If it is too spicy for you, eat it with the included rice to deaden the heat a bit. While I like my a little hotter than served, I'm sure they could have spiced it up to order.
To finish off the meal, I had the mango with sticky rice. For just $4 I go the most succulent and sweet mango I've ever eaten. The sticky rice was simple and delicious. Perhaps the finest dessert this county has ever seen. Sadly it is a seasonal dessert due to the limited availability of good mango.
I left with a new favorite local restaurant. While they are not as authentic as my hideaway in Asheville, they are much closer than anything within 75 miles of Wise Co.
If you visit, let me give you one tip. Don't limit yourself to just one dish per person. Order 2-3 dishes and serve it up family style. In my opinion, it is the best way to experience Thai cuisine.
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They must have came a long way in a few weeks. I'll stay away till I hear more positive remarks about the place.
GO VOLS
Don't stay away, give them business. Their food is excellent the service was second to none. The restaurant is operated by some very nice people who, while never having met us, treated my wife and I like we had known them forever.
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ran into the guys at wal mart stockin up, and i mean stockin up!
"i asked a toothless man, who all these people were and, he said the soapmakers...and we are workin workin"
What were they buying?
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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NotSoSilentBob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't stay away, give them business. Their food is excellent the service was second to none. The restaurant is operated by some very nice people who, while never having met us, treated my wife and I like we had known them forever. </div></div>
Man I hope its true. I like thai food. Was very excited about the place. Hopefully when I ate there it was new place gremlins or something. Like I said reading your review they have came a long way.
GO VOLS
seen a lot of produce
meats, noticed mainly sirloin tips i do believe
fresh fruits as well
"i asked a toothless man, who all these people were and, he said the soapmakers...and we are workin workin"
My family and I ate there about 2 weeks ago and it was aweful.Everybody's food was not very good and for 10 Dollers a plate i would rather go to China Garden.
"When Giving Your Best Is Not Good Enough"
Im thinking they are trying to be uber fancy. They just forgot about service and food. But lets give em a shot they have put some money into it. And thats investing into Wise County. Thats alot more than some of our senators do.
GO VOLS
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Erik Ainge</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My family and I ate there about 2 weeks ago and it was aweful.Everybody's food was not very good and for 10 Dollers a plate i would rather go to China Garden. </div></div>
Sorry to go off topic but China Garden is probably my favorite Chinese restaurant I've ever eaten at .. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about it, but I swear when it comes to Chinese food that place can't be beaten IMO.
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