Review: Casual Thai
This was one of the best Thai restaurants I’ve tried and I recommend it especially because of the diverse (seemingly authentic) curry options.
Review: Bangkok Garden
Do you think you can handle this?
Bangkok Garden, the first Thai restaurant in Bergen County, was also my first introduction to Thai food at the tender age of 23.
I went with my boyfriend at the time, in the early stage of our relationship. He, trying to impress me with his macho, spicy-food-handling ways, ordered up the volcano chicken and requested that it be the seventh level of spicy (in a range that went from 1-10.) I, never being one to back down from a challenge, ordered the chef’s specialty, honor to the king, and requested that it be an eight.
Although we stuck to chicken dishes, Bangkok Garden has an enormous menu and serves a variety of vegetarian, shrimp, fish, duck, and beef items in addition to curries, noodles, fried rice and salads. They also offer, in their fully stocked bar, a selection of Thai wines and the Thai beers Singha and Singha Light.
While we waited for our food, we were given a complimentary basket of puffed shrimp chips. They look like packing foam and taste like what I imagine salted packing foam to taste like. The service was speedy and competent, although I’ve only seen them in action late in the evening on slow weeknights.
Our food arrived. The volcano chicken, served flaming in a hot and spicy sauce, was placed in front of him. The honor to the king, pan-fried marinated chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce and served with curry rice, was placed in front of me. We stared each other down like teens at a red light, getting ready to race, and we dug in.
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Review: Thai Essence
For Spicy Dates With A Sweet Tooth
Dark mahogany tables fill the rectangular space, adding a warmth to this sparsely-decorated restaurant. Soft music and dim lights invite you in — this is a relaxing date place with a modern touch. I half-expected the wait staff to be aloof and mellow but they were, in fact, quite friendly.
When I went last Saturday, they had a good number of patrons but were not crowded (and therefore, the din of conversation never reached an annoying roar). I guess not enough people know Thai Essence exists. It seems like one of those places you prefer to keep to yourself. But, I’ve got a duty to let you in on the secret: It’s wonderful.
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