"Located conveniently in a small strip mall, Nayada Thai initially impresses with its modern, clean design. We received a warm welcome and were seated promptly by friendly staff. We ordered two appetizers: Thai Spring Rolls and Crisp Thai Calamari. Our drinks were served quickly, but after about 10 minutes, the appetizers arrived hot. Unfortunately, it was clear that the frying oil needed changing; both the wraps and the calamari were overly dark and crisp, indicating they had been fried in oil that was past its prime. The spring rolls were the generic kind often found in many restaurants, while the calamari, which came in a parchment-lined metal basket, was of the breaded tube variety, served without the chilis and onion typical of Asian-style dishes. Overall, the spring rolls were mediocre and the calamari was decent, but nothing to remember.
Once we finished our appetizers, we waited for our server to return, but they were busy clearing tables. Our drinks had run dry, and it took another 10 minutes before we got refills and could place our order for the main course. Since we had missed the lunch menu, my wife and I decided to split a dinner-sized portion of Pad See Ew with chicken. We asked the waiter if they could separate the dish for us, including the egg in my portion and leaving it out for my wife due to her egg allergy. The waiter checked with the chef, who declined our request, so we ended up ordering the dish without egg entirely. It wasn’t a huge issue, but it would have been nice to have our request accommodated.
When the entree finally arrived, about 10 minutes later, the presentation was appealing. However, the flavors were bland, and the Chinese broccoli was undercooked, bordering on raw rather than al dente. I tried to get the waiter’s attention for a spice tray, but they didn’t return until we were finished eating to present the check. It’s worth noting that there were only 3-4 patrons in the restaurant at the time, so it’s surprising that the service was so slow. I can only imagine how long the waits would be during busier times. "
Chicken Larb
