by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Murray Hill just got swankier, with the addition of Aurathai. The area has proven itself to be a new Riverside, with the nearby higher property values seeping in across the tracks. They're located on Edgewood Avenue in a row that's grown more appealing over the years. Nearby, you'll find Moon River Pizza, the Edgewood Bakery, Tradewinds neighborhood bar and a healthy assortment of businesses.
If you've eaten at Taste of Thai on University, Aurathai is the more upscale version. Justin Sellas, son of the owners of Taste of Thai, decided to open his own place with his own stamp on things. He named the restaurant to honor his mother his mother Aurathai Sellas.
A colorfully chic décor gives Aurathai a modern, fun and classy feel. A deep orange verging on red covers the walls. The highly saturated color is broken up by custom-made white paper and stainless steel wall lights, as well as bamboo paneling and occasional olive green accents. The ceiling and floors are painted black, a small touch that gives a space an intimate feel, lending even more contrast to the white details. Tables are covered in standard white table cloths topped with bubble cut ceramic candleholders. In the very back of the restaurant you'll find a large black and white picture of a Thai woman in a traditional headdress, over the well appointed wine bar. The décor shows an attention to detail that even extends to the bathrooms.
The spring rolls were perfectly conceived and executed, but it was the sweet chili sauce served on the side that had the crowd begging for more. The same sauce took a starring role in the thang qua, a sliced cucumber salad garnished with ground peanuts. One appetizer that was snapped up quickly was the chicken satay skewers. The incredible peanut sauce was responsible for the run on those. I've been told that Taste of Thai has the best peanut sauce in town, luckily mom Sellas has passed on the recipe, so that her son can feed the Thai hungry masses around Murry Hill.
They were tasty enough that I felt I must come back to try a main course or two. This time I brought my husband, who loves a good Pad Thai. Me, I love the spicy Thai stuff. I nearly ordered my Kaeng Daeng or red curry at the level of Thai heat. Instead I opted for hot, one step below in heat, and that was plenty spicy, even for me. They're very accommodating as far as making your dish at whatever level of spicy you'd like from mild on up. Still, I've been plenty of places, asked for hot and gotten something just shy of medium heat. If you're a heat seeker and love the rush that only a mouth afire can bring, Aurathai is the place to be. Only Thai food can bring that mixture of slow heat and fast burn that I crave. In the taste department, Aurathai has made the top of my Thai list, but lacks a little in presentation. With such a classy décor, I expected a smidgen more in presentation than what I got. The square white bowls were very mod, but I thought the food itself could have used a little eye doctoring, like a flower or a flat plate arrangement.
I can't soon forget the incredible dessert served at the opening, a mango coconut ginger sorbet that you dipped pieces of fried banana into. It was light with incredible layers of flavor. Desserts are lovingly prepared by Julius Hanks, a twenty-six year veteran of Disney restaurants.
INFORMATION:
Aurathai 1173 Edgewood Ave. S.
Phone number: (904)389-THAI (8424)
Ratings (1-5):
Atmosphere 5
Service 4
Food 4 1/2
Cost $$
Cost Guide
$ = under ten dollars for a single person
$$ = over ten to twenty for a single person
$$$ = over twenty to thirty-five for a single person
$$$$ = thirty-five and up for a single person
|
