Thai on Main

Thai on Main
415 S. Main
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 591-6413

What a little gem among the rough. I'm not particularly favorable to Thai restaurants, as I usually come away diarrheic from the MSG or otherwise sickened from the sight of cockroaches crawling on the wall, but this place might make me start changing my mind. I ordered the satay and Royal Fresh Roll appetizers for my main course, and my wife had drunken noodles, so pretty standard fare. What came, however, was anything but standard.

Large, colorful dishes with interesting garnish and well arranged treats were delivered quickly by our friendly and attentive waitress. The colors and styles of the china were chosen to offset, and highlight, the food, so it appeared appetizing and gave the impression that the kitchen was proud to serve their creations. This is so important to me. I have a finicky stomach that can be curdled at the slightest slip up, so when a restaurant takes care to entice me, woo me if you will, I'm not just flattered, I'm hungry. Shouldn't restaurants want their patrons to be hungry?

The sauces were delicious and the chicken skewers had a hint of crispy breading that set them apart from other dishes and complimented the more mild fresh rolls. The noodles were sweet and well prepared, and tastes blended naturally with each other to make a complete and satisfying overall experience.

Granted, we didn't venture into some of the more exotic dishes. But judging from our little sampler, I wouldn't hesitate to try.

One final note: I've never liked TV's in a restaurant. I find them distracting from my company, and to pay attention to her was a primary reason for going out to eat in the first place. But I couldn't understand a word of these programs, so they didn't bother me too much. (Incidentally, I always love to mimic the actors on foreign language programs and make up my own words. Don't you?)

Overall Rating: Good

Rating Breakdown: Taste-Good, Presentation-Excellent, Service-Good, Atmosphere-Acceptable.

Price: $21 for two, no dessert (no room).