KJE

I cannot speak to the dining in experience, but I am a fairly decent thai cook and critic. There are some very good Atanta Thai restaurants, so I was thrilled when this one opened up a mile from my home. I ordered the fresh Basil Rolls (not the crispy fried ones) and the Chicken Larb “to go”. First off, it’s was full on dinner time frame and there were only 5 tables in play, with another being seated. The two people working the floor looked so confused and discombobulated that I was concerned for them. One guy looked so stressed! I paid for my $15.00 order (truly, I got Larb and basil rols…very expensive for so little).

When I ordered, they told me it would be 10-15 mins. I got there in 15 mins. The guy was just bringing my bag up to the front. When I got it home, I opened the flimsy, leaky crappy container to find LUKE WARM larb that was sitting on the cabbage that had now wilted. Along with that was the cabbage I was supposed to eat with the Larb and it was the tiniest cut of cabbage I have ever seen. Not enough to eat with the Larb. Too bad because it was probably the only thing that saved the nasty taste of the chicken Larb. It tasted like they sprinkled cinnamon on it. If you know how Larb is made, this isn;t a creative addition. It was gross. Larb is the easiest Thai dish to make, but they messed it up.

Then I opened thefresh basil rolls. The size was great. They were full rolls. When I bit into it, I found out why. It was pretty much lettuce ONLY and not much else. I ate one and threw the other away.

I could have taken my $17 and thrown it into the trash ($15 plus a $2 tip for a food pickup). It was a waste of money. I can only hope that they might do Pad Thai or something like Panang Currey better, but I am not sure I really wish to waste my money again. I would rather go a few more miles to Thai Diner in Vinings and KNOW that I am going to get a genuine tasting thai dinner.

Sorry, L’Thai West. You will end up being another restaurant in West Village that fails because you charge too much for the quality of your food to cover your overhead. Instead, it’s too bad you don’t hire someone who can cook real thai and train your staff so they aren;t so confused in a dining room that has few people to serve.

When will West Villiage get a GOOD Thai restaurant???