Thai Issan

[martil]

My husband tried takeout tonight at Thai Issan. Fortunately, we took home only 2 dishes, the eggplant with chicken and the pumpkin curry with tofu, along with an order of brown rice. The portions were tiny, the flavors awful, and the chicken, if it was chicken, was sort of ground up and a strange consistency. I was also surprised by the bad atmosphere, lack of ventilation causing a smoky smell throughout the building and outside, and the high prices. So disappointing!!! Did I catch it on a really bad night or has anyone else had a bad experience?

[Sylph]

has anyone else had a bad experience?

I've been hesitant to post, but four of us went there a few weeks ago and we were 'lukewarm' I would say. I agree that the portions are small and the prices are high. The atmosphere is OK. They've painted the walls eggplant purple and tried to make it cheerful with colorful window hangings. The pad thai, I thought, was my favorite of the five dishes that we ordered that night. I rather liked the chicken with Japanese eggplant. The prawn salad was fresh and full of flavor. I really want them to succeed, but my impression is that it's not a value with such small portions. It's nice to have a little take home left, but the four of us ate every crumb and we aren't 'voracious' types. I am not eager to return...and Thai is my favorite ethnic food.

[RichT]

So disappointing!!! Did I catch it on a really bad night or has anyone else had a bad experience?

My wife and I were eager to try them. We love Thai food, but were very disappointed with the service and the overall blandness of the dishes. We will be sticking with Thai Pot.

Rich

[padsma]

Did I catch it on a really bad night or has anyone else had a bad experience?
I join the lukewarm chorus. A friend and I tried it for lunch a couple of weeks ago. Tiny portions (I also like to make a second meal out of leftovers) for a too-high price. Unimpressive flavors. I won't be going back. There is plenty of better Thai food in the area.

[onthewing]

Two of us went for lunch. It was very disappointing - oily, not at all fresh tasting, lots of filler noodles and rice and very muddled flavors. For Thai, I like Thai Taste near the Flamingo and Sea Thai Bistro (more upscale, but VERY good.)

[Occidental Nutrition]

Perhaps I am a little more sensitive to this issue, being a former restaurant owner, which is a complete lifestyle, as it requires such a huge amount of work and dedication.

Over the past months there have been several posts about new restaurants, mostly around Sebastopol. When a new restaurant opens, it usually does take a little while to get into the groove, just as any new venture does. So many factors can be at play as to whether or not a person will come back or not, and what they will say to their friends.

I find it very strange that all the restaurant reviews that I have read in the past several months on Wacco, have always seemed to be negative. Basically, if a new restaurant comes into town, and people have a bad experience, they write a post to try to get others to not go there, which, for some who read this, will probably not try it.

Running a restaurant often lies upon a fine line, and the margin of profit will reflect that in the first few years, often determining its success or failure.

When I look at a small local restaurant that opens in a town, I know that it is a tremendous investment, and that some people will try it only once, some will become regulars, while some will never step foot.

But for people to use these posts to share their experience if they personally have a bad experience, seems very unsupportive of our local economy.

Wouldn't be better to pull the manager aside or write them a letter and tell him or her what you think, rather that turning around and just telling the community?

Thanks for listening
Mary Sheila

[Badger]

We went for lunch, and were disappointed - well-meaning but inept service, dull-average food. Ambience? Pretty sorry, even by my very-relaxed standards. Probably won't go back, and would rather waste the time and hydrocarbons it takes to get to SEA.

I'd agree with you about publicly flaming a new restaurant, and appreciate how much goes into getting something off the ground, but this isn't their first restaurant, and I'd assume the culinary, management, and service skills would transfer to the new site. Come to think of it, they probably have, since their mother-restaurant in Petaluma is equally mediocre.

I've had several recent instances where I've tried the "quiet word to the manager" approach at local restaurants, with responses ranging from ridiculing, to completely disinterested, to out-and-out hostile. Not one has shown the slightest interest in my feedback, or in lifting a finger to try to keep me as a customer.

Your mileage may vary!

[Magick]

Dear Mary Sheila, You make an excellent point. Recently I was told a unique statement, "Complaints are a gift" Another words if you care about the restaurant succeeding and helping out community members trying to make a go of it in a difficult field, you tell them directly and give them a chance to change and improve.
In Gratitude for a sincere offering of community consciousness. Yours in truth, Magick :heart:


Perhaps I am a little more sensitive to this issue, being a former restaurant owner, which is a complete lifestyle, as it requires such a huge amount of work and dedication.

Over the past months there have been several posts about new restaurants, mostly around Sebastopol. When a new restaurant opens, it usually does take a little while to get into the groove, just as any new venture does. So many factors can be at play as to whether or not a person will come back or not, and what they will say to their friends.

I find it very strange that all the restaurant reviews that I have read in the past several months on Wacco, have always seemed to be negative. Basically, if a new restaurant comes into town, and people have a bad experience, they write a post to try to get others to not go there, which, for some who read this, will probably not try it.

Running a restaurant often lies upon a fine line, and the margin of profit will reflect that in the first few years, often determining its success or failure.

When I look at a small local restaurant that opens in a town, I know that it is a tremendous investment, and that some people will try it only once, some will become regulars, while some will never step foot.

But for people to use these posts to share their experience if they personally have a bad experience, seems very unsupportive of our local economy.

Wouldn't be better to pull the manager aside or write them a letter and tell him or her what you think, rather that turning around and just telling the community?

Thanks for listening
Mary Sheila

[Barry]

I plan to alert the owner and/or manager of these posts.

And, contrary to the prior assertion, there have been many favorable reviews of new restaurants on WaccoBB.net, such as this thread on Seed Restaurant. (https://waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?p=63708)

[shellebelle]

Mary I am surprised you say that.

This link has a great number of wonderful restaurants listed
https://waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?p=65926

I have been to Barley and Hops and reviewed it - I haven't had opportunity to go back for a couple of months but Noah is on my lips for recommending all the time.

I haven't had a moment to review Red Rose (formally Marbles) but it was awesome!! So good I went back for breakfast after having lunch the day before! I could hardly walk!

Nemea comments on several of the local restaurants on the thread above that I agree wholeheartedly are fantastic!

Bella Pasta is lovely and even my son loves it! Howard's is always a win with our family! We've enjoyed Martha's several times, Starlight is fantastic and the list is endless.

I think the board in general has been on a negative flow and hopefully this will wake everyone up and get them back to positive karma rather than the negatives!


Perhaps I am a little more sensitive to this issue, being a former restaurant owner, which is a complete lifestyle, as it requires such a huge amount of work and dedication.

Over the past months there have been several posts about new restaurants, mostly around Sebastopol. When a new restaurant opens, it usually does take a little while to get into the groove, just as any new venture does. So many factors can be at play as to whether or not a person will come back or not, and what they will say to their friends.

I find it very strange that all the restaurant reviews that I have read in the past several months on Wacco, have always seemed to be negative. Basically, if a new restaurant comes into town, and people have a bad experience, they write a post to try to get others to not go there, which, for some who read this, will probably not try it.

Running a restaurant often lies upon a fine line, and the margin of profit will reflect that in the first few years, often determining its success or failure.

When I look at a small local restaurant that opens in a town, I know that it is a tremendous investment, and that some people will try it only once, some will become regulars, while some will never step foot.

But for people to use these posts to share their experience if they personally have a bad experience, seems very unsupportive of our local economy.

Wouldn't be better to pull the manager aside or write them a letter and tell him or her what you think, rather that turning around and just telling the community?

Thanks for listening
Mary Sheila

[Sylph]

I'm glad Barry is going to advise the owners of some of the complaints. If nobody was posting the negatives, the word would still get around, to their detriment and they would have no idea why people stopped coming in. The best possible outcome is that the owners/managers take it to heart and try to change how they do things and make it better.
One of my best friends had a restaurant for many years, and my daughters worked in restaurants as loyal employees. I know a bad review can be devastating. That's why I hesitated about posting anything.
I really want to like this new place...
Barry, tell them to put a little more food on the plate!
If their attitude is receptive to advice, I'll gladly go back and try them again.

[MsTerry]

I for one am grateful at all the reviews.
One bad review won't stop me from going to a place (I probably won't remember). The second bad one, will make me try to remember the name of the restaurant. But after the third, fourth and fifth one, I'll start to pay attention. Especially when the complaints are consistent and not a personal like/dislike.
The likelyhood that this place is of fin their sensibilities is greater when you realize that every review probably represents 50-100 people who never write or read Wacco.
At that point it becomes a public service.



Wouldn't be better to pull the manager aside or write them a letter and tell him or her what you think, rather that turning around and just telling the community?

Mary Sheila

[RichT]

I'm glad Barry is going to advise the owners of some of the complaints. If nobody was posting the negatives, the word would still get around, to their detriment and they would have no idea why people stopped coming in. The best possible outcome is that the owners/managers take it to heart and try to change how they do things and make it better.


I had a neighbor ask about my experience at Thai Issan. I relayed the same message I posted here. I do understand about the financial investment in such an undertaking. On the other hand, I have very little discretionary income and do not want to waste it needlessly. I tend not to be so willing in giving additional chances to a place that has been unsatisfactory before, unlike Ms. Terry.

I have the added burden of food allergies and must be very careful with what I eat. I tend to go more for Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican and Indian restaurants for that reason. I have very little patience for places where staff is knowledgeable and unaccommodating. That was the case with the prior business (they said a dish had rice noodles and tried to pass off egg noodles as such - I walked out never to return).

Sebastopol has several very good restaurants; a new business in these financially troubled times will have to go the extra mile if they are to succeed.

p.s. I did not go to Pasta Bella for a few years due to wheat allergies and generally only being able to order a salad at Italian restaurants. I was blown away with their menu, their willingness to meet my needs and by the quality of their food. It is one of my local favorites.

[Malene]

Hey Mary Sheila,

I understand where you are coming from. I worked in several capacities in the restaurant field for 8 years.

At the same time I think reviews really only have any value if the good and the bad gets posted equally. That is the point of reviews.

If you go and research a hotel on trip advisor you often find widely divergent reviews. Different people had different experiences. In those cases I do one of two things - I read the negatives to find out if one persons negatives might be my positives. For instance if someone said that the atmosphere was too relaxed, and the owners dogs were hanging around the garden I might take that as the perfect spot for me (an actual situation I had happen). Another thing I look for is the ratio of good to bad reviews, or if the bad reviews all seem to agree on what is wrong.

If the bad reviews all agree then I can pretty much take it at face value that what they say is going on. Then I know before hand and can decide if I want to live with it, or find a different place. If they have 150 wonderful reviews for every 1 bad review then I know that either the one customer was a butthead, or the hotel had a really bad day.

In this case - a restaurant is getting solidly bad reviews. Thats bad news for the restaurant. I for one am glad I have been told this - then I can choose where I want to go. With solidly bad reviews the restaurant still has a chance to turn it around, but they better do so fast.

The advent of the internet has made such reviews go around a heck of a lot faster. Regardless of online reviews - eventually a restaurant that gets these kinds of reviews will be doomed to a sad destiny. I agree with those that say they are lucky to see these reviews on paper.

Before the Internet people would just be sharing their experiences as they talked. It would take a little longer, but the restaurant would never know about it.

You are right that so much stuff can go wrong in a restaurant - especially in the beginning. And well do I remember those shifts when it seemed like nothing could go right. The cooks got the orders mixed up. The overdone steak was sent to the rare steak table - having to recook two steaks. And not only did the steaks have to be recooked, the whole plate had to be redone otherwise the rest of the food would be cold. The food took forever to come out. The servers where turning around themselves trying to get everything out and forgetting it all in the process - so where the cooks. People were complaining left and right - and how many plates were sent back because the food wasnt right?

For the survival of a restaurant those shifts better not be the norm.

For the survival of a restaurant the kind of food reviews Thai Issan just received better not be the norm. Regardless of the Internet those reviews would go around the neighborhood and they cant survive when the locals talk about them that way.

I understand the huge undertaking and expense of opening a restaurant - but what are you going to do if people simply dont really like their food? No one is going to eat there out of pity for the large undertaking of opening a restaurant.

Thai Issan is lucky to see these reviews on paper.

Malene




Perhaps I am a little more sensitive to this issue, being a former restaurant owner, which is a complete lifestyle, as it requires such a huge amount of work and dedication.

Over the past months there have been several posts about new restaurants, mostly around Sebastopol. When a new restaurant opens, it usually does take a little while to get into the groove, just as any new venture does. So many factors can be at play as to whether or not a person will come back or not, and what they will say to their friends.

I find it very strange that all the restaurant reviews that I have read in the past several months on Wacco, have always seemed to be negative. Basically, if a new restaurant comes into town, and people have a bad experience, they write a post to try to get others to not go there, which, for some who read this, will probably not try it.

Running a restaurant often lies upon a fine line, and the margin of profit will reflect that in the first few years, often determining its success or failure.

When I look at a small local restaurant that opens in a town, I know that it is a tremendous investment, and that some people will try it only once, some will become regulars, while some will never step foot.

But for people to use these posts to share their experience if they personally have a bad experience, seems very unsupportive of our local economy.

Wouldn't be better to pull the manager aside or write them a letter and tell him or her what you think, rather that turning around and just telling the community?

Thanks for listening
Mary Sheila

[Geni Houston]

I visited the Thai Issan last week. My friend and I were greeted warmly, immediately offered tea or water and shortly after (and that is important) when asked what we would like, my friend had several questions about the curry which our waiter spent much time explaining the difference between red, green yellow and brown curries. We talked about his family having the business and felt very comfortable and enjoyable.

We received first a Tom Yum ..... soup that was fab and then the curry. I don't remember what my friend had, but I had requested my curry quite spicy and it was just as I ordered and plentaful. Neither had room for dessert. Food was quite good - but again - mine was ordered spicy, not mild.

My :2cents:

[iaim2xl]

Just a general FYI, especially since consumers are 7 times more likely to voice negative rather than positive comments. I just ate at Thai Issan last night for the first time. Service was friendly and attentive. The food was reasonably priced. But, what will bring me back again, is the fresh, healthy food with superb seasoning. VERY TASTY!


I visited the Thai Issan last week. My friend and I were greeted warmly, immediately offered tea or water and shortly after (and that is important) when asked what we would like, my friend had several questions about the curry which our waiter spent much time explaining the difference between red, green yellow and brown curries. We talked about his family having the business and felt very comfortable and enjoyable.

We received first a Tom Yum ..... soup that was fab and then the curry. I don't remember what my friend had, but I had requested my curry quite spicy and it was just as I ordered and plentaful. Neither had room for dessert. Food was quite good - but again - mine was ordered spicy, not mild.

My :2cents:

[martil]

Hello. I am glad to hear some positive reviews. I certainly had not intended to upset folks with this thread. My original post was intended to share my experience only and give Thai Issan the benefit of the doubt. I asked: "Did I catch it on a really bad night or has anyone else had a bad experience?" After Mary Sheila wrote her post, I replied to her privately. I explained that I felt that the restaurant had a responsibility to provide what it offered and required the customer to pay for. On the night we visited, it did not provide what a regular restaurant goer would expect. I have called Thai Issan and attempted to talk with manager or owner. However, the floor manager said he was the only one available to speak with. He was kind and listened to my feedback. I have no idea if he passed it on. He did say they were working on the issue of poor ventilation. He did not take my name or number, but he did listen to me. That is about all I would have expected. I was not out to slander this restaurant. I want new business to survive in Sebastopol just as much as others, especially if it offers our family a service we can use and is worth paying for. I am sorry if my original post ruffled feathers. Perhaps review threads should be left off Waccobb from now on.




Just a general FYI, especially since consumers are 7 times more likely to voice negative rather than positive comments. I just ate at Thai Issan last night for the first time. Service was friendly and attentive. The food was reasonably priced. But, what will bring me back again, is the fresh, healthy food with superb seasoning. VERY TASTY!

[Barry]

Thanks for sharing your original experience with us, Martil, and how you followed up on that.

I think reviews on WaccoBB.net are very helpful, both to the readership and the service provider. Reviews have been a mainstay of media for a long time, and community reviews are also a well established. And in both cases, you have to take them with a grain of salt and your mileage may vary. And both the reviews and the service may vary over time.

This service (WaccoBB.net) allows the community to "talk to itself". Sharing experiences and opinions about all sorts of things from politics to restaurants is a way of connecting us.

Thank you again, martil, for sharing your experience, actions and concerns with us!



Hello. I am glad to hear some positive reviews. I certainly had not intended to upset folks with this thread. My original post was intended to share my experience only and give Thai Issan the benefit of the doubt. I asked: "Did I catch it on a really bad night or has anyone else had a bad experience?" After Mary Sheila wrote her post, I replied to her privately. I explained that I felt that the restaurant had a responsibility to provide what it offered and required the customer to pay for. On the night we visited, it did not provide what a regular restaurant goer would expect. I have called Thai Issan and attempted to talk with manager or owner. However, the floor manager said he was the only one available to speak with. He was kind and listened to my feedback. I have no idea if he passed it on. He did say they were working on the issue of poor ventilation. He did not take my name or number, but he did listen to me. That is about all I would have expected. I was not out to slander this restaurant. I want new business to survive in Sebastopol just as much as others, especially if it offers our family a service we can use and is worth paying for. I am sorry if my original post ruffled feathers. Perhaps review threads should be left off Waccobb from now on.

[loi]

Ok, I want to put my experience in also...I went there earlier for dinner and had a tasty meal. As a vegetarian, it was nice to see I had many options. We ordered several items, all of which were quite good, though I do have to say that they were out of lettuce so we couldn't have one item we ordered....but we still had leftovers without it. The tom ka soup (my favorite and excellent) was the stand out of the whole and the people working there were sweet and attentive.

I am happy to find a Thai restaurant that I like in Sebastopol and will definitely go there again.


Two of us went for lunch. It was very disappointing - oily, not at all fresh tasting, lots of filler noodles and rice and very muddled flavors. For Thai, I like Thai Taste near the Flamingo and Sea Thai Bistro (more upscale, but VERY good.)

[rekarp]

I ate lunch at Thai Issan yesterday and found the food to be mediocre at best. I love Thai food and was really excited to see a new Thai restaurant open in Sebastopol. Unfortunately, Thai Issan is not any better than Thai Pot.

The price and quantity of food were fine. Most lunch entrees are $7 or $8 dollars and include salad or soup, spring roll, rice and entree. I got the salad, which had a gloppy white sweet dressing that is as far from a Thai dressing as you can get. The lettuce looked like a bulk bag of preprocessed salad with the typical thinly sliced purple cabbage, carrots and onions. Even though I ordered a spicy red dish (Pad Prik), there was absolutely no heat in the dish and the vegetables were tasteless.

There does not seem to be any kind of commitment to quality coming out of that kitchen. There is a small place called Thai Taste in Santa Rosa near the Flamingo Hotel. The price is the same as Thai Issan, but the food is so much better. There are so many great Thai restaurants, but not in Sebastopol!

[ganeshafv]

I have a wonderful Thai restaurant recommendation: Khoom Lanna, Thai Cuisine at 107 - 4th St. in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square, just around the corner from The Last Day Saloon. It's what my old Berkeley "foodie" friend's would call "cheap and cheerful". Decor is very nice, but the food is terrific and inexpensive. Two entrees at between $7 and $10 each and a bowl of rice (3 different choices) have always proven more than my date and I could finish. And everything I've had there has been great. It's quiet and (unfortunately) not usually very busy. But I hope this post helps to remedy that as it would be a shame to lose them when they're the perfect place during tight money times. They take reservations at 707-545-THAI. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday, and every night for dinner.

[Barry]

A Review from the PD's Bite Club:
https://blog.pressdemocrat.com/biteclub/2008/10/thai-issan.html
-----------


Despite a menu that runs for several pages, Thai Issan needs to go back to basics. The recently-opened Sebastapol restaurant may have bitten off a little more than it was ready to chew when it comes to flavorful Thai cooking.

For BiteClub, good Southeast Asian cuisine means fresh flavors punctuated by sweet, salty, sour and spicy -- each bite different. Fragrance is key, with whiffs of lemon grass, lime, fish sauce, chili, coconut milk or peanuts.

With so many exotic spices and flavors inherent in the Thai kitchen, it ends up being fairly disappointing when a restaurant like Issan can't seem to meld them into something harmonious. Or even meet the lowered expectations of two really hungry writers.
Here's the rundown...

1. Thome Yum: Officially, Tom Yum is more of a broth (rather than Tom Khaa, which includes coconut milk). I've gotten both versions as Tom Yum, but Issan's version is more in the clear, brothy camp. The bad news is that its so overwhelmed by salty fish sauce that it's almost inedible. Skip it.

2. Fresh rolls: A chokingly expensive $6 for two skinny rolls filled with lettuce. What appears to be bagged lettuce at that. I'm all for vegetarian rolls (though I much prefer them with shrimp), but the few sad strings of rice noodles and a leaf or two of mint were all that saved these rolls from being a house salad.

3. Pad Thai, ($8): Nothing particularly bad about it, but nothing particularly memorable. Salty is the one note that Issan hits again and again. No spark of lime or citrus. Absolutely no heat. Anywhere. A big puddle of grease at the bottom.

4. Pumpkin Curry, ($11): Lots of bell pepper, not much pumpkin. Or chicken. Though it was the best of the lot, this red curry-based entree could have fit into Cinderella's slipper -- with a little wiggle room. The portion was surprisingly small and bland. No happy endings here.

Overall: Thai Issan is still waiting for its fairy godmother of flavor to arrive.

[Safron Cat]

Hello Barry, Thanks for the review of Thai Issan. It'll save many of us from getting disappointed and wasting our time and money. Good service for the community...Safron cat.

[thai issan]

Thank you all for posting your thoughts and feelings about our business. I am taking time to write a response to all of your posting to let you know that your voice and concerns have been heard. We feel here at Thai Issan that if there was only good reviews than we would never know how to improve and better ourselves. Ofcourse hearing many bad views is a dissappointment to myself and my staff, but we except them with open arms. We will address your concerns and hopefully your next visit to our restaurant is a better one.

[thai issan]

Again thank you, any review is a good review to a business, good or bad. We will strive to make your next visit better than the first.

[Sylph]

Again thank you, any review is a good review to a business, good or bad. We will strive to make your next visit better than the first.

Thank you so much for listening to all the feedback and remember, that many posters had great experiences. Don't be discouraged!

I applaud you for your response and willingness to try to improve. I, for one, will be back. I love Thai food!

[sonoma13]

hi all...interesting to read reviews of a place we've driven by a hundred times in its short existence and said, "hmmmm, we should try that place sometime". having been generally disappointed in thai restaurants here in the area, it sounds like things aren't changing. too bad. we could use a stellar thai restaurant for sure.

we moved here twenty years ago from southern california, santa monica/venice to be exact. we had a plethora of thai restaurants down there, i would guess because of the large thai population in southern california. we were certainly spoiled by excellent prep and presentation and, exposing my own gluttony here, the large portions served. also impressive were the variations from restaurant to restaurant and the diversity of regional thai cuisine.

since moving up here we've almost given up on finding a truly outstanding thai restaurant. we'd love some pointers if we've missed anywhere that's good. we're especially bummed that we've yet to find a place that serves mee krob, a crispy noodle dish that is as thai as cheese burgers are american.

we've tried the thai pot and it's ok...service is fine and the portions are ok, too. but it isn't a "wow", for sure. of course, if they served mee krob, we'd eat there more often...i've suggested that to the folks there but they don't seem inclined to add the dish to their menu.

we've always been happy with the sushi landscape here in sonoma county but above average thai cuisine has proven very hard to come by. again, any pointers in a good direction would be fabulous.

we've enjoyed the thread and appreciate all the comments, both negative and positive....well balanced. have a happy holiday season.

[rekarp]

As you've heard, Thai Issan is truly dreadful. I wonder if they get any repeat business.

There are some good Thai restaurants in Sonoma County. Khoom Lanna on 4th Street in Railroad Square is good. Thai Taste near the Flamingo Hotel is good. Sea Thai is good. There is a good Thai Restaurant in Sonoma a half block off the square.

If you're in SF try Thep Phanom or Jitlada.


hi all...interesting to read reviews of a place we've driven by a hundred times in its short existence and said, "hmmmm, we should try that place sometime". having been generally disappointed in thai restaurants here in the area, it sounds like things aren't changing. too bad. we could use a stellar thai restaurant for sure.

we moved here twenty years ago from southern california, santa monica/venice to be exact. we had a plethora of thai restaurants down there, i would guess because of the large thai population in southern california. we were certainly spoiled by excellent prep and presentation and, exposing my own gluttony here, the large portions served. also impressive were the variations from restaurant to restaurant and the diversity of regional thai cuisine.

since moving up here we've almost given up on finding a truly outstanding thai restaurant. we'd love some pointers if we've missed anywhere that's good. we're especially bummed that we've yet to find a place that serves mee krob, a crispy noodle dish that is as thai as cheese burgers are american.

we've tried the thai pot and it's ok...service is fine and the portions are ok, too. but it isn't a "wow", for sure. of course, if they served mee krob, we'd eat there more often...i've suggested that to the folks there but they don't seem inclined to add the dish to their menu.

we've always been happy with the sushi landscape here in sonoma county but above average thai cuisine has proven very hard to come by. again, any pointers in a good direction would be fabulous.

we've enjoyed the thread and appreciate all the comments, both negative and positive....well balanced. have a happy holiday season.

[MsTerry]

AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS AN AD 'TO ' FIND YOUR THAI BEAUTY' RIGHT NEXT TO THIS THREAD???
BARRY have you lost all decency?
Are you running a WHOREHOUSE now?

[Photoguy]

I clicked the link (earning Barry between 5 and 50 cents from Google adwords)and my new "Ladyboy" friend will be here within a month once I have delivered the required $5,000 dollars. Perhaps heshe can cook too. Thanks for the hookup Barry:):


AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS AN AD 'TO ' FIND YOUR THAI BEAUTY' RIGHT NEXT TO THIS THREAD???
BARRY have you lost all decency?
Are you running a WHOREHOUSE now?

[Lilith Rogers]

Oh, I didn't know Thai Issan is awful. Thanks for the info. There are two good ones I know--the one next to Oliver's in Cotati and one in a little strip mall in Rohnert Park right across from the college. Don't remember either's name, of course. Happy New Year. Lilith



As you've heard, Thai Issan is truly dreadful. I wonder if they get any repeat business.

There are some good Thai restaurants in Sonoma County. Khoom Lanna on 4th Street in Railroad Square is good. Thai Taste near the Flamingo Hotel is good. Sea Thai is good. There is a good Thai Restaurant in Sonoma a half block off the square.

If you're in SF try Thep Phanom or Jitlada.

[Joan Price]

My favorite is California Thai on 7th St. in Santa Rosa. Excellent food, and many items you don't find everywhere. If you're vegetarian (as I am), ask for the vegetarian menu. It's extensive and excellent, but you have to ask for it.

This should be in the referrals category, but the topic is here...


...There are some good Thai restaurants in Sonoma County....

Joan Price
www.joanprice.com (https://www.joanprice.com)

[Autumnsu7]

I had a nice meal at Thai Issan a week or so ago. Salmon and a wonderful flavorful sauce. Don't write them off yet.



As you've heard, Thai Issan is truly dreadful. I wonder if they get any repeat business.

There are some good Thai restaurants in Sonoma County. Khoom Lanna on 4th Street in Railroad Square is good. Thai Taste near the Flamingo Hotel is good. Sea Thai is good. There is a good Thai Restaurant in Sonoma a half block off the square.

If you're in SF try Thep Phanom or Jitlada.

[Nemea Laessig]

Check out my review here about great new Thai place, Lynn's, in Cotati:

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/general-community/46425-great-thai-food-cotati.html

---------------- Now playing: Banco de Gaia - White Paint (https://www.foxytunes.com/artist/banco+de+gaia/track/white+paint) via FoxyTunes (https://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/)

[spam1]

It's that great google technology. The adds look for "cookies" on your computer of what sites you visited before, and places adds based on it's estimate of what you would be interested in...hmmm, just what have you been looking at? :thumbsup:

Of course, I've been getting adds for various places of worship, charities, and small animal rescue!


AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS AN AD 'TO ' FIND YOUR THAI BEAUTY' RIGHT NEXT TO THIS THREAD???
BARRY have you lost all decency?
Are you running a WHOREHOUSE now?

[hedgewitch_13]

My favorite is California Thai on 7th St. in Santa Rosa. Excellent food, and many items you don't find everywhere. If you're vegetarian (as I am), ask for the vegetarian menu. It's extensive and excellent, but you have to ask for it.

This should be in the referrals category, but the topic is here...



Joan Price
www.joanprice.com (https://www.joanprice.com)

I too, love California Thai. They are excellent and probably my favorite in the area. I also really enjoy The Thai House on 4th street... good food and atmosphere.

I was very excited about the opening of Thai Issan, but was sorely disappointed when my husband and I dined there. Honestly, I would not return.

However, my hubby and I have found a great new Japanese restuarant in the area. I know it is a little off-topic, but their food is so good and the service is friendly and warm. For those who like sushi and Japanese cuisine, I highly recommend Tosaki Sushi. It's on Hwy 116 in the Mickey D's shopping center. It's great food, at great prices, served with a smile.

-Shannon