Sukhothai review

      It was with great sadness that we learned our beloved Tiny Thai had sold their Essex location. As you know, (see previous review), that was probably our favorite restaurant in all of Vermont. So it was with dread and anticipation, we made our way to the new Sukhothai on Friday night. As it turns out, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

      The first thing we noticed is the popularity had not change one tiny bit. A large line snaked to the door, which was always typical of Tiny Thai on a weekend night. The next thing we noticed, is both servers were part of the original Tiny Thai family. The third thing we noticed, is the menu really has not changed much, a couple of new appetizers and some new stir fries and curries but all in all we are looking at all our old favorites, YEA.

      We gave our name to the server and were told 15-20 minutes wait. This is pretty much normal for a weekend night, but be aware if you have a party greater than four, you are going to WAIT. This is a small place and not alot of large tables open up. As we sat waiting, I observed the first flaw, many, many tables had some food, while others in the party were waiting. I noticed one couple, (I say I am being observant, my wife says nosy), who the husband had food for a good 20 minutes before his wife. Several other times during the evening we heard the servers offering discounts or free food for prolonged waits. Obviously, this is a situation they will need to get under control.

      One of the things I always loved about Tiny Thai, was every night you could be assured of some specials and I loved ordering them because it gave me a chance to try new preparations but for now Sukhothai sticks strictly to the menu. We started with one of our favorite appetizers, dim sum and decided to try a new one, Goong Hom Pa, shrimp wrapped in a wheat dough and fried, Unfortunately, what came out was dim sum and fish cakes? I was going to return it but this was one of the other appetizers we wanted to try. Big mistake, should of sent them back ,as they were very rubbery and not much flavor.

      For our entrees wife went with her go to meal, massaman with chicken and I tried a new stir fry, Pan Nam Prik, roasted chili jam, cashews, basil with chicken and shrimp . The menu assured me it was one star the same as the massamn which I always thought of as mild. WRONG. I won't say it was blistering hot but it was MUCH hotter than expected and as such I didn't enjoy the sauce as much as I would of. The new owners need to make sure the heat scale on the menu is accurate as many of us base our meals on this index.

      Both entrees were very good and it appears the serving size is equivalent to what Tiny Thai offered and again the price for both of us together was under $40, which is a bargain anywhere.

On a scale of 1 to 5;

Food,                Quality means much more to us than quantity.
Beer and Wine,  Based on selection and pricing

Service,             Speaks for itself
Ambiance,          Does the look fit the food and pricing

 Price,                And finally does the pricing equal the results we had.

Food,                     3.75  Good as always though one appetizers fell way short and my entree was hotter than expected. Wife was relieved to see her favorite hadn't changed.
Beer and Wine,    No  Still BYOB so no rating.
Service,                 3.0  I knocked it down by .5 for the poor service by the kitchen and for getting our order mixed up.

Ambiance,             3.5  Same as Tiny Thai, like visiting a favorite Thai aunts house.
Price,                     4.0  Prices have gone up a bit but still an incredible bargain for this area.

Overall                  3.56  Still a great place but needs a little work with the kitchen to come up to the high standards of Tiny Thai. We will be back to give them another chance.

Cool Runnings Review

     FINALLY, back to reviewing places close to home. Cool Runnings is a new restaurant? take out place? Caribbean grocery store and head shop selling prepared foods? all of the above? in Essex Junction. Located in the front of the Park Place bar. Having never been to Jamaica, I can not comment on the authenticity of the food. But to me it tastes like something your Jamaican grandmother would cook, (if, of course your Jamaican grandmother also blared reggae music at ear splitting levels and sold hash pipes).

      Exhibiting not much charm, Cool Runnings is basically a one room store. You enter and place your order from a list on the wall of what is available that day. Your food is scattered around in several locations, outside on the grill, stove top, in the stove and around the corner in big rice pots. It appears to me the food is probably made in another location and brought here once a day? Not sure about that but nothing I bought was made to order but rather loaded onto plates by a rather "laid-back" young man. There is one table for four in the middle of the room, but looking at the amount of plastic forks, paper plates, etc. loaded onto it , I'm thinking eating here is not much of an option.

      So if you have read this far you are probably thinking to yourself , let's avoid this place at all costs. That would be a mistake, despite the ear shattering music, despite the Caribbean attitude for service, the food is really good and the portion to price ratio is INCREDIBLE. For my meal I got goat Curry, two huge scoops of rice and beans, another scoop of vegetables (mainly cabbage and a few carrot and beans cooked down all day) and two big spoons of curry. While very tasty, goat curry is ALOT of bone and a little of meat. Probably won't order this again. Not so the Jerk Chicken, two complete thighs with drumsticks attached, chopped up into pieces, with said two scoops of rice and vegetables for ...wait for it...wait for it, $6.50!!!!!! WHAT, are you kidding me ! In addition, I noticed the patties sitting in the stove , huge fried dough size patties filled with either spiced meat or chicken,  one each of those please. Now how much for this veritable feast of Jamaican goodies , UNDER $20.00. People, this was enough food to last the two of us over four meals.

      Now for true, authentic, jerk chicken fans, be aware the sauce was not baked into the chicken. The chicken came lightly spiced (better for Vermont palates) and you could choose which sauce to put on. Spicy but bearable or OH MY GOD, and yes, I did take a large taste of each before picking. Both of these sauces came from jars you can buy at the store/restaurant/head shop, along with many other food items and the previously mentioned "tobacco accessories".

On a scale of 1 to 5;
Food,                Quality means much more to us than quantity.

Beer and Wine,  Based on selection and pricing

Service,             Speaks for itself
Ambiance,          Does the look fit the food and pricing 

Price,                 And finally does the pricing equal the results we had.

Food,                     4   Huge quantities and very tasty

Beer and Wine,   No No alcohol is served
Service,                 3  Very "laid-back" but friendly

Ambiance,             1  What ambiance?.

Price,                     5  Really? This much food for this price? Really?

Overall                  3.25  Don't let the score scare you too much. Think of this as a takeout place and not a restaurant and you will be fine. A bigger concern for  me would be is it going to stick around. They are doing no advertising that I can see, they are not in a really great location, and their food to price ratio (while appreciated) is really off, though maybe "tobacco accessories" have a major profit margin . Go while you can and let me know what you think.