All Our Original Columns Taryn's Corner Ahan Thai | Ahan Thai |
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| Written by Taryn Shick | |
| Thursday, 18 May 2006 | |
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Ahan Thai Ahan Thai is a new Thai restaurant located in Royal Oak at the corner of W. 4th and S. Center St, just west of Noir Leather and a tad south-west of Gusoline Alley. Ahan Thai is built from the ashes of a previously burned-down restaurant. If you are familiar with Royal Oak, you should remember the restaurant formerly in the current location that was destroyed due to fire. For years, it had a sign in the window that claimed they would return soon. A few months before Ahan Thai emerged, there was a message added to the sign attributing the lack or rebirth to the insurance company’s lack of action. Given the history of the location, I would have named the restaurant Phoenix Thai – you know, like the fabled Phoenix, rising from the ashes? Nevertheless, the restaurant is great. The option to dine-in is a bit limited: There are eight booths and eight bar seats, four of each on both the left and right. But they are comfortable and large windows allow you to view the many passersby which can prove to be highly entertaining in Royal Oak. While I was there last, I saw a group of men in their late thirties or early forties shopping at Noir Leather, likely for additions to their current wardrobe. One was sporting black and blue leather bike shorts, mid-thigh length, with stars. Another had on spandex pants, colored neon pink with black stripes down the side. The food is great. I have now been there twice – once for carry-out, once dining in. I have tried the Pad Thai and Pad S’ewe. I found both to be very tasty. The flavors are strong but not overpowering. The spices are subtle. Each ingredient can be tasted. The dishes were prepared just right – not under or overcooked, as I have found to be the case at some other Thai restaurants. Alcohol is not served here, but who needs it when you can walk out of the restaurant and head over to Gusoline Alley or many other fine drinking establishments in the area? You can order dishes ala carte (with white rice) or as a combo (with plain fried rice and a soup of your choice). All dishes are priced $7.95, $8.95 or $9.49. The $7.95 price covers dishes served with chicken, beef, pork or tofu served ala carte and noodles and fried rice with the same. The $8.95 price covers dishes served with chicken, beef, pork or tofu served in a combo and dishes with seafood (shrimp, scallop, squid and imitation crab meat) served ala carte and also noodles and fried rice with seafood. The $9.49 price covers dishes served with seafood in a combo. The location is great. The food is great. Ahan Thai is great. So go!
200 W. 4th St. Hours: Other notable Thai Restaurants: Thang Long Restaurant Nak Thai Café Bangkok Silver Bowl Pi’s Thai Cuisine For all Thai restaurants in Michigan, check out the Thai Directory of Michigan. |
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