My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this difficult-to-pronounce restaurant while first exploring our new neighborhood (Allston) just a few weeks ago. The menu was interesting, complementing more common Thai dishes (think drunken noodles or pad thai) with a strong selection of Cambodian rarities. The prices seemed very reasonable, averaging about 10 bucks for the chicken dishes and rarely getting above 15, even for the more expensive duck dishes. They also offered most of there dishes with rotisserie chicken-- a pleasant Western touch.
So we gave it a try, and wow, were we impressed. The decor is dark and funky and the service was fast and friendly. We were a bit worried about the food quality as the restaurant was only about 1/3 full (we went again last night - a friday - and the place was equally dead), but our appetizers alone (Cambodian spring rolls) put our fears to rest. The carrots, onions, and pork were perfectly seasoned and cooked, each element bearing its own special flavor and texture. The rolls came out piping hot and the sweet chili sauce was a nice accompaniment. Our chicken dishes came out next and the food continued to impress. My girlfriend had a 'create your own' chicken and vegetable stir-fry with a tasty light brown sauce. The vegetables were all beautifully cooked and presented, the colors fresh and vibrant. My dish, the 'create your own' basil and chili, was just as impressive, with a spicy, rich, and chewy sauce. Our second visit confirmed our original judgment: the food here is just excellent.
The menu is expansive and there are many other dishes I can't wait to try. We've already started collecting dinner and lunch to-go menus and referring to it as "our restaurant." We are also shocked that the place isn't swimming with people. As much as we'd like to keep it a secret, we'd rather see it succeed. So give it a shot sometime soon and you won't be sorry This place is an excellent find.
Pros: fresh and tasty food, good ambience
Cons: a little dark, barren fish tank at the front entrance.
more