Thai Basil is a vegetarian's paradise.
Most Thai restaurants offer five or six tofu selections. But Thai Basil gives the option of dishing out every single one of its delicious entrees veggie-style with tofu substituting for meat. Having been a vegetarian for a solid six years, I can tell you that having more than a couple selections on a menu is a unique find.
I ate at Thai Basil (403 W. University Dr.) early one Friday evening with my roommate, Kim Weidner. We arrived at the small, authentic restaurant a little before 6 p.m., which was good, because by 6:30 p.m., the 50 wooden seats were filled and three people waited by the door.
For starters, Kim and I ordered the veggie spring rolls, which set the high standard we held for the rest of the meal. Four spring rolls came sliced in half with a peanut dipping sauce. Petite and less greasy than their fast-food counterparts, they were a miniature delight.
Next, I ordered the pad broccoli - broccoli, tofu and Thai herbs in a garlic sauce. The broccoli tasted delicious mixed with the sauce. The only complaint I had about this meal was that the tofu came in thick slices, so it was a little mushier than how I prefer it.
Kim ordered the pad Thai - a traditional dish with chicken, peanuts, egg and bean sprouts in a bed of noodles. She said it was better than most pad Thai she has eaten, even at her favorite Thai restaurant in Flagstaff.
The one big downer of the meal was the Thai iced tea (a combination of spices, tea, sugar and half and half). The Thai iced tea at Char's Thai Restaurant (927 E. University Dr.) tastes like milky Chai tea, but the version at Thai Basil tasted more like plain iced tea with milk added.
The food at Thai Basil was delicious and reasonably priced - $30 for a meal for two with appetizer and drinks. But the cuisine wasn't the only positive.
The simplicity of the restaurant's decor definitely added to the dining experience. The golden walls with antique wall hangings complemented the cherrywood tabletops and booths perfectly.
Thai Basil has definitely been added to my list of favorite Tempe snack spots.
Reach the reporter at Tara.Brite@asu.edu.
