Tiny Thai Packs a Dah-liciously Big Punch

TINY THAI

UPDATE: We just ate at Tiny Thai again, this time with some new dishes in the mix (rich and creamy Masaman Curry with tofu and fresh veggies; and crispy, yet not greasy in the least, veggie spring rolls with a great tamarind dipping sauce). Like the last time, it left us totally stuffed, contented and with that addictive feeling of wanting to eat until you explode.
Read below for our complete review.

Our take:

One of the saddest things about leaving our home in Park Slope Brooklyn, was the fact that we were no longer two blocks from one of the best, moderately priced, dah-licious Thai restaurants in New York. Song with its incredibly flavorful Pad See Yue (flat noodles with broccoli, choice of meat, and a sweet and salty "brown sauce") its mounds of rich Pad Thai, and its host of other curries, veggie and meat dishes, long stood as a moderately priced source of comfort and joy for both of us. As soon as we arrived in Vermont and started looking for Vermont's "Song", folks sang the praises of local offerings such as Bangkok Bistro, Five Spice Cafe, and Pacific Rim as adequate replacements. We tried them all and can collectively say, not a chance. All were either overpriced, under spiced, had tasteless rice, and/or were uninspired Americanized version of Thai cuisine.

On the verge of giving up, we thought we would venture over the Winooski River and around the fancy traffic circle to give Vermont Thai food one more chance.

Walking in to Tiny Thai we encountered a line that nearly stretched out the door into the soon to be revitalized downtown Winooski (we still think they should consider putting up the "Dome"). Inside was warm and bustling, but the wait, about 30 mins for a table for two, was a bit too much for some on line, but felt just right for us. After all, if there's a long wait, you know it's something worth waiting for. We headed over to the Monkey Bar for cocktails as we waited (there's no bar at Tiny Thai) and the hostess offered to call us when our table was ready. After a few pints we got the call and rushed down a few doors to claim our spot.

Sitting in a corner table for two we could see the entirely packed, well-lit room, filled with an excited mix of students, couples, and families. The noise level was high, but surprisingly the acoustics were good, even enough to allow the couple next to us to have a "deep" conversation as they stared lovingly into each others eyes and I stared at the remnants of what looked like dah-licious plates of pad thai and green curry.

After a few minutes wait, the friendly waitress brought over water and glasses for our BYOB, and took our order. Ok, ok, we'll get to the food soon enough, but we have to say the service at Tiny Thai was impeccable. The entire wait staff was attentive, but unobtrusive, helpful and accommodating and seemed genuinely happy to have us in their restaurant.

We ordered a bowl of chicken wonton soup, a green papaya salad, a pad thai with tofu and a pad see yue with beef. The soup, while just a tad salty, was a wonderful mix of thick and chewy wantons with a clear and flavorful broth. The papaya salad was next to perfect, a heaping mound of green papaya, tomatoes, green beans and peanuts, mixed with a spicy and tart lime dressing. We ordered the mild version of the salad and the kick was good enough to make David's bald spot sweat, a key barometer for his Thai spice experience.

The pad thai and pad see yue were next. Both dishes came out piping hot, nicely plated, with large portions. Both did not disappoint, the pad thai a perfect blend of flavors and texture, not too rich or mushy, as is often the case in other Thai restaurants. It was a nice combination of noodles, eggs, tofu and crushed peanuts. Pad thai is the test dish for any Thai restaurant and Tiny Thai's pad thai passed with flying colors.

The pad see yue held its own as well, with layers of richly flavored noodles, mixed with plenty of broccoli and beef. Greasy, but appropriately so, the dish rivaled any we've eaten at Song or other Thai restaurants, leaving you with the addictive feeling that causes you to eat more and more, even though you physically can't eat another bite.

While another visit (with an updated review to follow) is required to opine on all of Tiny Thai's offerings, from the look and sounds of the other diners and a close reading of the menu, everyone in the restaurant looked pleased. The menu has a great combination of meats, curries, noodle and vegetarian dishes, with the ability to spice food authentically, or tone things down for the less adventurous eaters. All of this is offered for appropriately moderate prices, something its rivals can't say (I will never again pay 15 dollars for pad thai).

After just one visit, we can declare without a doubt Tiny Thai the best Thai restaurant in the Burlington area. The combination of service, food, and ambience allow us to happily say that we've found our "Song" in the Green Mountains.

Our Rating:

Service: ***
Ambience: **
Food : ****
Price: $$


Rating Scale:
* average
** not bad
*** wicked good
**** the best

$ cheap eats
$$ moderately priced
$$$ expensive
$$$$ wicked expensive