Maui Restaurant Critics,
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from neighborhood haunts, to luxury venues.

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Royal Thai Cuisine

Royal Thai Cuisine
Azeka Mak'ai Shopping Center

The owner/manager was very hospitable!
From Thailand, and a Thai Dancer, her dance costume from past performances,
were dramatically displayed in a glass case. Some of the pieces were taken-out
so I could touch the gold inlaid patterns and experience the weight. The head-dress
was heavy. She encouraged me to try it on, but thought otherwise. This seemed unusual
for me, not to play Thai Dancer, but I was on a Date...so I cooled-down. Cultural displays
add to an ethnic restaurant! It extends our human senses to be further interested in
food choices and preparation, always waiting for the unexpected.

New for me, was Thai Ice Tea...a chilled, tall-glass beverage with a definitive
coconut flavor! So, magnificently refreshing to the palate! Had two servings! With our entrees,
hot tea was ordered. A serious tea drinker, I was disappointed to receive my tea warm. In
fact, it tasted like tap water warm. I definitely could not drink this tea. My request
for a refill for hot boiling water tea, could have been exercised, but, somehow to make
this request would have been an insult to an Asian restaurateur...so my restraint was
preferred. The Whole Crispy Fried Fish, deeply scored for an appealing pattern of crispy folded edges, was served with generous well-seasoned julienne cut vegetables, all of which added dramatic color and texture to the plating. Although too well done, not tender and flaky, the whole fish was "accepted" for the moment, as "thick well-flavored fish pieces." Rice was served in a Thai traditional rice basket.
I was more impressed with the rice basket, as the rice was too sticky for me. Of course, I was told it was suppose to be "sticky." For years, rice for me was always steamed packed and fluffed, but not sticky! If I wanted to, I could have ordered "regular" steamed rice, but it was an inventive Thai experience. Just a cultural preference. Finger type service, of Chicken Sateh on a Stick marinated in peanut flavored dipping sauce was absolutely tender and delicious. Attractive Spring Rolls were large and delicate in appearance, yet each bite heavily fulfilling of shrimp, vegetables, basil, and spices....with four of these rolls, it could be a grand vegan meal...delightful.

A hospitable environment with gracious wait help is a definite positive for Royal Thai Cuisine. It was like, eating in the warmth and comfort of home. Parking was plentiful and conveniently nearby the restaurant.
3 STAR RATING

Friday, February 25, 2011

Thailand Cuisine



What a pleasant place to remember!
Parking is plentiful and convenient.
The ambiance is curiously inviting, and rich with history.
We were immediately welcomed, and taken to a clean pleasant table.
The Table Service : Teapot, Tea Cups, Plates, Glasses, Servers, Flatware, and Linens were impeccable. So nice....
The menu was a long list of numbered entrees. Although easy to understand, we would have preferred a verbal menu introduction with certain choice standards for example: interpretation of spiciness: mild, medium, and hot.
We ordered without the interpretation of spiciness, so our order was prepared with what
we thought would be a "medium comfort." BUT, HOLY MACKEREL , the Thai "medium" was
HOT !! We "sniffled with runny noses" and drank so much chilled water during the course of our cuisine. True we pursued eating because the food was so tasty, yet we teared, sniffled, and
drank chilled water intermittenly. What would have happened if we returned the HOT entrees for a "milder" service? Another good reason, why an initial introduction of the menu would have been good.
The Tea Service was most interesting. Loved the Tea. It was served hot, and we were
informed it is a special tea made by Thailand Cuisine.

4 STAR RATING

Waterfront

Parking is limited. We parked along a dirt-side road a long distance away.
To get to the restaurant, you need to enter through a condominium building, which questioned
my desire to pursue, for my first visit. Once at the restaurant, customer service was immediate. Although we had reservations, we had to wait. Waiting room was sparse, therefore we went outside a windy, front entrance and waited to be called upon.
Many impressive Fish Preparations were on the menu, but the type of fish, was limited.
Water was not served unless requested.
To receive Caesar Salad preparation at table-side, two or more orders had to be purchased.
The number of wait help were enough so that every diner would be attended to. However,
too many interruptions by wait help...would prefer more "privacy" during course of dinner.
Dining booths and tables seem too close to each other. It seem our dining experience was
"shared " with neighboring customers. Yes, ambiance needs improvement....more space?
Have had dinner here several times, but each time invited, as it is too expensive to dine at
the Waterfront Restaurant. Although inconveniences occured , the food
prepared was always plated-attractively, well-seasoned, and tasteful.

3 STAR RATING