Richmond's Thai Food Crown Jewel – Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine Review!

📍 Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine 4100 Bayview St, Richmond (Steveston waterfront) This Michelin-trained Thai kitchen (apprentice to royal chefs!) brings Bangkok street flavors to fine dining, even ranking among Canada's Top 100 Restaurants. 🌟 Must-Order Hits & Honest Takes 🧋 Thai Milk Tea ★★★★★ 90% identical to Bangkok’s viral versions – bold tea aroma, condensed milk silkiness, zero bitterness. 🥥 Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai) ★★★★☆ Lemongrass-galangal kick balances creamy sweetness, though the salted fish & watermelon starter may polarize. 🍝 Pad Thai ★★★★☆ Wok hei fireworks! Hand-woven egg nets, tamarind tang, but sauce could be lighter. 🥩 Grilled Wagyu ★★★★★ 24-hour marinated Sumas Valley beef with gold leaf – melts like butter. 🍨 Smoked Coconut Ice Cream + Lime Popsicle ★★★★★ Genius combo: campfire-smoked coconut meets citrus palate-cleanser. 💡 Why It’s Worth the Splurge ✔ Farm-to-table: Rice from the chef’s water buffalo-tended Thai paddies; ✔ Theatre dining: Dry ice cocktails, edible art, white-glove wine service; ✔ Next-level details: Handwritten cards, custom ceramic tableware. ⚠️ Heads up: Book weeks ahead (20 seats/night), some dishes contain crispy insects. #VancouverEats #ThaiFood #RichmondBC