|
|
REVIEWSCrystal Thai Restaurant 4819 Arlington Blvd. -- Arlington Forest Shopping Center,
Arlington AT Park Drive Place Setting: This often-crowded place has the feel of a neighborhood haunt. It's cozy and comfortable, with big, arched windows, white walls, mellow paintings of lotus flowers and a serene river scene. Cast of Characters: Think casual. Young couples wander in as if they simply took a stroll from the neat bungalows in the surrounding neighborhood of Arlington Forest. Great Plates: A benchmark of Thai cooking is the complexity of the chef's tom kha kai -- the spicy soup based on chicken broth. The version at Crystal Thai is very flavorful, with just the right balance of coconut milk and lemon grass. Pad thai, which in so many restaurants has been Americanized into a noodle mush, is beautifully executed and presented. The curries (green, yellow and red) are excellent, relying on their ingredients rather than on firey spice for their impact. Waiter's Tip: Steamed dumplings filled with chicken, pork and shrimp and presented with a tangy dipping sauce is a customer favorite. Ditto the crispy flounder in chili sauce and the roasted duck curry. Good Timing: Take a friend or a date who loves Thai food, as this is one of the better places in the area. Call to make a reservation on weekends. Parting Thoughts: Service is snappy, polite and attentive. And the food is worth a modest wait if there's a line. Walter Nicholls, washingtonpost.com |
|
|
|
Home | Reviews
| Menu | Catering
| Directions | Special
Offers | ToGo & Delivery | |