Posted by Thai Food Lover, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:07 pm

We had the worst food at Krung Siam that we actually wrote the owner a letter and told him about it.

This was the first time that we had ever written a letter to a restuarant or complained of food at any restaurant.

We never received a reply.

The meat (chicken, beef, and prawns) was not fresh It was so strong that you could taste that it was old, even through the sauces.

The food was quickly thrown together and was not correct at all.

We know some restuarants Americanize Thai food, but it still tastes delicious.

We were the only customers in Krung Thai that evening.

It looks fancy and clean, but don't use that to make your decision!

I spent many years in Thailand and also know how to cook Thai food.

Tom Kha Gai is supposed to be white (made with coconut milk base), but ours was red with a few pieces of old strong tasting chicken in it. I had never tasted anything like it in my life. It was just thrown together with whatever they had left over in the kitchen.

Every item that we ordered at that restaurant was awful, and we love Thai food.

One the other hand, we have eaten at Amarin Thai, and the food was delicious!

For really authentic Thai food, you should drive to Irving street in the city. The restaurants are really small and look kind of dirty, but the kitchens are clean in the restaurants we eat in.

BTW - There do not use bell peppers (red or green) and carrots in Thailand. They do not even use jalapeno peppers. They use Thai chilies which have a completely different flavor, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lemon grass, and coriander. That is the real stuff.

Tell them that you do not want those bell peppers in when you place your order.

Anyway, Amarin is good, and there is a place next to Trader Joes near Wal mart that used to be great when they first opened. I have not eaten there lately.

Since we cook Thai at home, we try not to eat out too much.

The expereince at Krung Thai was an expensive mistake.

Also, keep in mind that cooks come and go, and recipes are seldom used.

Another idea is to ask a Thai friend. They may tell you that they cook at home though (since most of the Thai food around here is not real).

Hope this helps, and Happy eating!

Posted by nat, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2007 at 2:31 pm

Was this the Krung Siam on Castro St. in Mt. View? How long ago did you eat there????????? sounds dreadful (I went to the one in Palo Alto years ago and loved it.)

Is the Trader Joe's near Wal Mart in Mt. View too? Where is this?

I guess you don't remember the name of the restaurant.

I like Indochine in Palo Alto on Middlefield Road. Have you tried it?

Amarin seems to be the favorite.

I don't drive to the City but would be happy to go with you to Irving street if you drive. Let me know.

Posted by Thai Food Lover, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2007 at 9:40 pm

Nat - Yes, it was the restaurant on the corner, and we ate there about a month ago. It had been closed down for renovation for a long time. I think that they recently renovated a while back.

The restaurant on Irving St.in SF is Marnee Thai.

They have won many awards. They are small, and it is a very popular place. It is always crowded with a diverse crowd. I will ask my Thai friends which restuarants they like. Many say "none", and cook at home.

It is kind of like finding a good Pizza place in Thailand - I never found one. It is not easy to find all the correct fresh ingredients required to make your favorite curry, sauce, or pizza.

Happy Eating! Just talking about Thai food makes me hungry!

Posted by nat, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 11, 2007 at 3:10 pm

You didn't answer my question, Thai Food Lover, have you tried Indochine in Palo Alto?

Again, let me know if you go to Marnee Thai in the City and are willing to take me along!!!

Posted by nat, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 12, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Could you give me more information on where this is? You wrote, above, that "...there is a place next to Trader Joes near Wal mart that used to be great when they first opened. I have not eaten there lately." What town? what street? remember the restaurant's name?

Posted by Thai Food Lover, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Sep 15, 2007 at 10:32 pm

I have not tried Indochine. The other Thai restuarant we tried was next to Trader Joes/Walmart in Mt. View. This was during their grand opening, and the food was fabulous. Keep in mind though, that cooks come and go, and restaurants change ownership. I am not sure if it the same. I will try IndoChine someday.

Happy Eating!

Posted by nat, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 16, 2007 at 2:28 pm

Thai Food Lover,

When was the grand opening of this mysterious restaurant? Was this a few months ago, years ago, when? (Too bad you can't give me a name or street. It might be hard to find.)

Have you read my review of Indochine? It was posted earlier, further down under "restaurants". I recommended the pad thai and Vietnamese coffee and the mango rice.