A few months passed between our visits to the Thai Bamboo Bistro and this time, at our third stop, we learned something different.
Sometimes, a little too much information is dangerous and enough to convince you not to go back to the restaurant.
Not this time.
Our first visit took place on Monday, summer. We were a little ahead of lunch rush, our 2-year-old was a bit choked up, 'so' we looked for a place in the new Quail Hill Village shopping center in Irvine, far away from nowhere. The San Diego (I-405) and Santa Ana (I-5) freeways intersect in Central Orange County, California.
In the shadow of the estates, a valley with a shadow appears in the middle of the night. There is no way it is - you will not do it.
It is one of the new generation neighborhoods, with a very familiar feel to it: anchor supermarkets on one end, Starbucks on the other, regular fast food and fast casual restaurants. It's a little different - some franchise names are not so ubiquitous, and the Irwin company seems to have taken a chance and even leased some non-franchise operators.
We entered the bistro and within 10 minutes, the intimate space was filled. Packed so much, we quickly changed our seating order to go, gentrified our little kid who was now stuffed, and headed home for the most luxurious take-out we had received in months.
The Jungle Curry with Chicken ($12) is soft and smooth (we ordered the light green curry; yellow and red are available). The spicy lemongrass chicken ($12) was warm and refreshing. Traditional Pad Thai ($11) - my wife's vow - fragrant and generously served with shrimp, egg, tofu and noodles.
So, we went back to lunch this time, without the boy.
Again, despite the lunch crush minus, the restaurant was packed. Again, our dinner was delicious: more green curry and pad Thai - we are a habit creature.
We were impressed by the cool, contemporary room with bamboo decorative touches. Fast through efficient service (evidence 'of' freshly cooked-ordered kitchen, although food arrives more slowly). And served in a light sauce with incredibly fresh ingredients.
Chef Bazaar is almost daily, co-manager Jade Tom told me. Sometimes grocery, sometimes specialty stores, sometimes farmer's market.
Then, life kept us away for a few months until I talked to manager Amy Lam.
When we talk about restaurant expansion plans and presentation topics, Amy asks, "Do you know Julie and Pat?"
Well, he said we were going to his wedding one day.
Amy smiled and said, "I haven't seen them in a while. Julie warns that the pre-wedding fast will be away for some time.
I am well aware of Julie's passion for food and restaurants, this little information — she and Pat are regular enough on a first-name basis — to tell me to go back there, pronoun.
We were mesmerized by the fresh flavors again. We started with the Thai Bamboo Sampler Appetizer. ($14), four mixes on the menu (small gold rush-era bags like Spring Rolls, Summer Rolls, Chicken and Beef Sate, and Crispy Wonton ****** * Treasures).
Our prawns ($16) in spicy mango chutney were sweet, but subtle. We ordered the "new edition" version (egg noodles instead of rice noodles. $11) and upgraded from standard pad Thai.
Can't wait too long for our next meal here...
You must be logged in to post a comment.