Thai Fresh Yes
When my friend first started raving about a place called “Thai Fresh,” I was thoroughly doubtful. Thai Fresh? I don’t think I’m crazy in thinking that a restaurant that calls them self fresh can’t actually be all that “fresh.” At least that wasn’t my experience at Baja Fresh.
However, after a discussion over what exactly would be a good name for a Thai restaurant (we have no idea), we went. And I feel so smart for doing so.
First off, I don’t know if it’s an Austin thing or whatever, but I love the combo restaurant deal. Just like Whip In, Thai Fresh was much more than a restaurant. It was a place to lounge about, enjoy their coffee shop/bakery, listen to some music, and I think even do yoga. There was a sign about Wednesday morning classes, I probably won’t go. BUT, I will be back for the curry and papaya salad and homemade ice cream and random baked goods. And maybe the cute barista. But mostly the food, which was both delicious and fresh!
The fresh thing finally made sense after we saw the menu and devoured our meals. All the food was organic and local and all that jazz and you could tell. Oh the things I would do to make Bon Appetit serve chicken and tofu that tastes like Thai Fresh’s. I wouldn’t call myself a chicken or tofu person normally (I’m a steak girl), but I could eat that stuff all day, e’er day. The flavor was so full and tasted so good in the various curries my friends and I ordered. And let’s not forget the other big players – the sweet potatoes and eggplant are things to come back for in and of themselves.
Before I go on to dessert, you should know that the two companions I had with me are gluten intolerant. In fact, one is gluten and lactose intolerant. This essentially means that their dessert choices are significantly less than the rest of ours – no pie, cake, crumble, crisp, cookie, brownie – you get the point. For whatever reason, Thai Fresh identifies with such people and offers probably one of the biggest gluten-free bakery selections in the city. And while most gluten-free baked goods are poor substitutes, often tasting like nothing or having a texture too weird to get over, Thai Fresh’s various breads, cookies, brownies, and pies are just like the real deal. My comrades literally squealedwhen they learned this. It was like seeing kids at Disneyland and frankly mildly embarrassing. However I was thrilled to finally be able to share a peanut butter chocolate pie with my friends. I am of the thinking that pie is something you should share with all of your closest friends.
I forgot to mention it before, but one of the best parts about Thai Fresh was how the whole place smelled – heavenly. There is definitely a part of me that wants to live there.
