Orchid Thai
726 San Anselmo Ave.
San Anselmo, Marin County
415.457.9470
Where to go on a Sunday night in Marin? With a small town feel that keeps it charming, accessible, and calm, Marin is endearingly separate from, though close to, San Francisco. However, Marin sidewalks roll up at about 9pm most nights. For this reason, I frequent Orchid Thai for the weekend’s last hurrah. Plus, looking forward to a Sunday evening adventure helps take the bite out of Monday’s inevitability.
The ambience at Orchid Thai is no big whoop, but it’s comfortable: fifteen or so white tableclothed tables in a sunny, whitewashed space. Large windows offer a view across freshly planted flowers and onto San Anselmo Boulevard; the walls show paintings of Thai fairy tales and golden goddesses. It’s the menu that impresses.
Sophie, young and not a fan of spicy, had the milder soup: tom kar gai, creamy and coconutty (4.95). Thirteen-year-old Moe and I ordered the big kids’ soup: tom yum kar gai (4.95), a bit more spicy and inviting. Then on to a generous serving of the pla muk tod (6.50), otherwise known as fried calamari; it was light, crispy and served with a unique sweet sauce. We arrived starving and so, of course, we ordered everything on the menu. By the time we finished the calamari, we were stuffed and dreading the meal. Thank God for to-go boxes.
Moe chose gai pad kraw prow, otherwise known as #37: chopped basil chicken made with fresh basil and savory hot flavor. I ordered gai yang (8.95), whose whole chunks of barbeque chicken are cooked over their roaring fiery grill; it was simple and lovely. Sophie wanted pad Thai and the noodles were just right, neither sticky nor sweet; the egg, shrimp, chicken ingredients were delicate mouth-pleasers too. In the middle of a big forkful of pad Thai, Sophie told her brother Moe that instead of wearing his hair in spikes that he should just brush it down and wear it the way he was born—standard Orchid Thai dinner.
We asked the waiter for boxes.
Orchid Thai’s food is always great. The prices are too high, though. I can’t seem to get over the idea that Asian food should all be $4.25 for a giant platter of steaming something or another. With Thai food you don’t just order one entrée each, and the food is light so you order a lot. It adds up.
We go for the convenience as much as for the good food. This restaurant is good for date night, family night, friend night. Good for just you alone. Daytimes, too. High yum factor. Orchid Thai, 726 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, Marin County, 415.457.9470. Mon-Fri Lunch 11:30am to 2:30pm; Mon to Sun Dinner 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Full Take Out Menu.
-- Jolie Kanat
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