Having heard mixed reviews about Baan Thai, I decided it was worth checking it out for myself. The restaurant was easy enough to find, situated right across from Cotton Club and Charmant on Fuxing Lu. Spotting the restaurant was made easier with its Thai Style roof that protruded above the fence line. Walking through the entrance, the impressive roof was in actual fact part a pagoda with outdoor seating, inside a moat. If not for the fact that this was the middle of winter and that there was no beach in front, the outdoor seating would have been perfect place to take my lunch.

The entrance and reception to the main part of the restaurant inside a 3 storey Villa, which also acts as a bar is a very smart use of space, but at the same time a was bit strange. Not sure what the Feng Shui masters would have to say about positioning a bar right by the door way.

The hostess took us straight up to the second floor, ample seating await us, not sure if it was because it¡¯s new or that we have come in an unusual time for a meal. The ambience was dark, cold and quiet, which is lost to me as I was more or less expecting a sunny, summery atmosphere, even though it is one of the coldest day of the year. Taking a quick peek around, I was quite impressed with the whole restaurant. The villa being 3 storey had ample seating, as well as a balcony and another outdoor courtyard in the back.

We were only two for lunch and could not order very much to get an all round tasting of the menu. However there are always some basic dishes, which can serve as a barometer. If these dishes are done well, then presumably, on a whole the restaurant in my books should come up trumps.

The standard dish, which usually does the trick, are the Tom Yum soup (45rmb), which was a bit too spicy (I never thought I would ever say that) and too sour. I was a little disappointed as I was hoping for the creamy version of the Tom Yum (not many restaurants serve it creamy these days), but that¡¯s just me. Next is the Tom Kha Gai (40rmb) which was on the other end of creamy was too rich. The Phad Thai (45rmb) we ordered looked great as it came out in an egg omelet bowl adorn with the usual flowers, chilly powder and crushed peanuts and lime. After mixing the preferred amount of peanuts and chilli powder, I realized there was no sugar, alas, we dug in only to find it already had sugar had been blended in as it turned out to be a little sweet for my taste. The Fish Cakes (48rmb) was in short exceptional. Finally the Larb (45rmb), which is a personal favourite everywhere I go, again it look great as it was planted on the table, eager to taste it, I immediately saw that it was had all the herbs and mint except the Dill, which is crucial. I would have like to come back with a larger group to fully appreciate the menu and try out the Deep fried Madarin Fish with Chilli Sauce (98rmb), however that wasn¡¯t to be as one can¡¯t always be eating with a group of friends.

We noted that the prices were comparable with Simply Thai and Coconut Paradise, which is on the expensive side given the quality, taste and authenticity, which for my money Chao Phraya has the best balance.

Like the places mentioned above, Baan Thai is a good place to bring a date or to impress guests particularly for the atmosphere and the good service.

Baan Thai
Tel: 021-6433 6955
Address:1479 Fuxing Zhong Lu near Huaihai Road