"Elmhurst and the neighboring stretch of Woodside is saturated with so many Thai establishments that it might seem hard to stand out. With the a modern and contemporary decor and pretty cocktails to boot, Spicy Shallot is a little different from the rest of the pack. In addition to classic Thai dishes, they also have the added arsenal of a dedicated sushi bar.While it's not the biggest place, they've done a good job with the space with a mix of tables and chairs. It's got date vibes all throughout and I'd consider keeping the party sizes small here. It's trendy, clean, and I'm even impressed with their bathrooms.An easy way to get acclimated with the Spicy Shallot experience is to start with their cocktails. I've been a big proponent of their sake based mojitos which come in mango, pomegranate, and lychee. For non-alcoholic drinks, their Thai iced tea coffees are always great and they also come in a mega XL-sized glass, which is awesome.The safe bet for me has been their curries, which are loaded with flavor and bring a good amount of heat. While the massaman is always going to be my first choice, I really do like their green curry, penang curry, and the extra pricey duck curry. They don't go as well with the cocktails, but if we're talking strictly food, they are still my go-to option here.I also think they do a good job with their satays and curry puffs. I've had plenty of curry puffs in the past, but theirs are a lot more empanada like than I've seen in other establishments. I'm not as enamored with their noodle dishes and especially the fried rice, which are just average. I do think their spicy basil eggplant is another solid option and their glass noodle salad is tasty, with another added spicy kick.The Japanese cuisine has been the biggest surprise. My expectations are never high for a non-Japanese specialty spot, but they've done a nice job in providing a myriad of sushi rolls and other Japanese options like donburi and grilled squid.Most Thai places will offer a fried banana or even mango sticky rice as a dessert, but they've really stepped it up with a number of cheesecakes, bread pudding, lava molten cake and even flaming fried ice cream. I can't attest to how good any of them are, but the variety is impressive for a Thai spot.At the end of the day, I think they do a good job with the food presentation, service, and provide a lovely ambiance on top of it. While many may bulk at the notion of a trendy Thai spot that happens to offer cocktails and sushi, I think it's an added bonus for the neighborhood. Elmhurst is short of date spot options, this can certainly be amongst the better ones to enjoy the evening."
