12.26.2010

Metropolitan Thai

Goodmorning Washington, DC.  Its been a while since I've posted which is a shame because I've been to many an interesting place that I would like to share.  Throughout the Summer and Fall - after becoming disappointed with over-priced DC restaurants, we have made it our mission to find delicious ethnic restaurants outside of the city limits and have not been let down. 


My favorite find so far, has been Ruan Thai.  Ruan Thai, located in Wheaton, which is a surprisingly interesting place (streets FULL of little shops and cubby restaurants representing the full spectrum of central american cuisine, grocery stores with native foods of countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, flea markets, and Orthodox Jewish restaurants, shops and grocery stores) serves up fabulous, well priced and spiced Thai food.  The restaurant itself is a cubby hole in a small strip mall at 11407 Amherst Ave. The menu is long and includes classics like Pad Thai and Yellow/Red Curries but also intricate, tropical fruit laced cooling appetizers, duck dishes mixed with chiles and basil and a long list of vegetarian choices.  Sauces tasted freshly combined rather than from the cans at H-Mart, which is much appreciated in the sea of mediocre Thai restaurants that dot the metro area.


Still on the theme of Thai - I have also enjoyed Elephant Jumps in Merrifield (reviewed here by Tyler Cowen, our guide to area ethnic restaurants) and Thai Square in Arlington (reviewed here by Tyler Cowen).


I'm looking forward to making my next effort to learn about Vietnamese and Korean restaurants around town.  I've been to the Eden Center for groceries, but not for a meal - so thats definitely on my list.