Thai Aroi-Dee in San Rafael?

Question

Thai Aroi-Dee is a new place on 4th St in San Rafael (west end, taking over the Om space). Several rave reports on yelp for authentic Thai.

1518 Fourth St
San Rafael
415-295-7464

Answer

We had lunch here today. On the weekends, they only serve from the dinner menu. We had:

- a fried appetizer trio of taro, pumpkin (my favorite) and tofu with lightly sweet and spicy dipping sauce
- the silver noodle salad that had a wonderful sour dressing
- the spicy fried rice with green curry - great flavors but a little too spicy for my wimpy palate
- my friend had two Thai iced coffees - one with milk which she liked and one without milk that she raved about.

The flavors were much more complex and interesting than what you get at the many mediocre Marin Thai restaurants. I will definitely go back to try more of their dishes. Everyone there was super nice. It was our server's first day at work there, and he was very anxious that we enjoyed the food. Portions are a little on the small side (and I'm not a big eater), but so delicious.

I would encourage people to go because it was pretty empty, and they really deserve to be successful.

Answer

2nd Post. First one disappeared. But Thai Aroi-Dee will, I hope be present for a long time. Why? 

Behind their anonymous sidewalk facade next to Bordenave's French Bakery, sits this gem of culinary Thai mastery. I tried their yellow curry chicken the week they opened. I was startled by the depth of complex flavors. Magnificent.

I have sampled many many Thai cuisine restaurants, and had until Aroi-Dee, not tasted yellow curry like this. Perfect balance of flavors, lotsa chicken. Two days later I couldn't get Aroi-Dee's food out of my mind. Went back and had the same yellow chicken curry AGAIN....it was even better than I had remembered it. 

Next visit was pumpkin coconut curry. OMG...! Large chunks of just-right cooked pumpkin and their astonishing curry. 

I have been back many times this past month and hope that they survive the always iffy restaurant start-up cycle. Oh...almost forgot. Their ginger-garlic rice is memorable...no, make that addicting.

I just finished an order of Calami curry. 

They do take-out too...!

Answer

I've been here 4 times, and the food and service have been good but inconsistent. I picked up an order on Friday, and there were three errors, not including that the one dish I asked for "mild" was spicier than any other time I've ordered it. Hoping they work out the kinks, because this should be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

Answer

I guess this means the Cuban place is gone.

Answer

Went since we were passing through at lunchtime. The server didn't ask us anything about spice level and we didn't volunteer anything.

Coconut soup was a nice light starter, beautifully spiced.

Chicken in yellow curry was great, had some Indian spices, mild. Chicken in red curry was spicy and had a lot of Thai basil. Both of those were rich from coconut milk.

Chile sauce with pork was more of a stir fry, still rich from lots of oil. This and the red curry would probably seem very spicy to someone who doesn't eat spicy food as often as I do.

Ginger with beef was much lighter and more delicate, seemed steamed rather than fried. Knowing what it's like I'd have ordered the tofu instead, I think that would work really well.

Overall very good. All the dishes had a complex mix of flavors and were generally bright and very fresh tasting. It reminded me in some general way of Kopitiam in Lafayette. I don't think it's quite in the same league as Ran Kanom, but it's better than any Thai place I've tried closer to Berkeley.

Answer

Two of us went there for lunch yesterday, first time for the othe person. Both of us thought it was the best Thai food we've had in Marin (also probably in a wider area). I had the lunch special with (1) the recommended-above Yellow Curry (chicken), spicy, and it was just great with multiple complex flavors and (2) Chile Paste with pork, spicy, which was much saucy (as intended) and also great. I starter coconut soup seemed even better this time that the last time I was here. I could eat a large bowl of that for a meal.

Answer

I'm going to be in Marin this weekend and will try it. Let you know if the rave reviews are correct. 
Thanks

Answer

Visited mid June. Their yellow curry was mild and a little sweet, even when I asked for spicy. Good spice mix though - too bad they are located in this area which makes them extremely conservative.

A 2nd bowl of the curry was disappointing sweet - guess they forgot we asked for the spicy. 

This place would be good if it didn't have to tone it down so much.

Answer

Really enjoyed the spicy green curry fried rice for lunch today. Gave a nod yes to wanting it spicier than normal. Friendly folks too. And a free refill on the Thai iced coffee to boot!

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4th St Pizza Co

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Thai Aroi-Dee in San Rafael?

Discussion Summary

4th St Pizza Co

El Tazumal

Kopitiam Cafe

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My Thai Restaurant

My Thai Cuisine

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