Thai Charm — Restaurant in New South Wales

It’s was ok, better suited to a western palate, service was more like a food court takeaway than a restaurant.

Entree/Starter: We ordered the mixed entree but was able to have an extra satay instead of fish cake (appreciated that). I asked for 2 servings of the mixed entree but only was was ordered (and only charged for one). The satay sauce was very nice and the chicken was a tenderloin on skewer. It was nice. Vegetarian spring roll and curry puff chicken was ok - pretty bland thought the pastry on the curry puff was nice and flakey. The dipping sauce was ok. If I were to go back, I’d just order the satay chicken skewers.

We got this AFTER the mains were served. We got our drinks last after having to go back and ask for both the entree and drinks.

Mains: We ordered the crispy pork belly with chilli jam and vegetables. It was nice. The flavours were subtle but nice. The pork belly was NOT crispy but overall a nice dish.

We also ordered the chicken green curry extra hot. My wife was able to eat some - that is, it would barely qualify as mild. To make it extra hot, there seemed to be a few pieces of chopped Birdseye chillies. It was tasty though, just disappointing. The meat was a bit tough - chicken breast but not overcooked.

We ordered the plain rice for two - not quite enough but ok.

We ordered the roti was which nice but it was also the first thing served to us…there was nothing to eat with it.

The drinks were the typical $4/375ml can.

Service: as mentioned, don’t expect traditional restaurant service. There wasn’t an itemised receipt, you had to go and order at the counter and pay and then wait.

There was an annoying phone/device that was that was loudly chiming all the time - presumably some takeaway app or phone order. I’m fairly tolerant of noises but it was really annoying and we were about 10m away from it and it was still loud. The place probably earns more from takeaway than eat in and seems to be set up that way.

I was sitting there wondering if the green curry at Lil’ Buddha across the way was like - I’m going to go try it.

Price and value: it was cheaper for the mains than the Lil’ Buddha meal we had the night before but I felt the price difference was worth it depending on what you wanted. Authentic, strong Asian flavours - Lil’ Buddha for sure. Tasty but muted flavours at $3/dish cheaper, Thai Charm. I’d pay extra for the better quality food and much better service at Lil’ Buddha.

Summary: it’s nice and probably suits people who don’t like strong flavours and even the hottest dishes are probably muted to suit the local palate. It was tasty was overall disappointing compared to the flavours we had last night at Lil’ Buddha.

Certainly a place to try because it could suit your palate and expectations. For me, I’ll go back and try more dishes at Lil’ Buddha...

Restaurant opens at 4:30pm. We walk in at 5:30pm and staff are busy taking out trash and setting up table whilst this guy is on the phone.

We stand at the entrance for 7 minutes and nobody comes to us. I look at the guy at the counter and he's still talking on the phone. I look at the staff setting table and she looks away.

Finally another staff who seems to be a waitress walk into the restaurant who greets us and seats us on table.

Seriously wanted to walk away in that awkward 10 minutes with my young kids.

We sat down, ordered food which was decent except for panang curry which tasted more like coconut milk than panang. Other dishes were ok and we liked the whole baramundi. Fresh and tasty.

However, when we finished our meal and walked to the counter to pay, the same guy on the photo is still on the phone.

There was another lady before me and she's been waiting there too. I'm trying to pay for the meal and I can't because this guy is on the phone.

He takes his sweet time (sounded like taking an order) whilst people are basically lining up to pay.

We are just standing there waiting for another ten minutes! How can he take so long to take an order?

Finally he hangs up the phone then he walks away instead of serving the poor lady whos been waiting there. Couple of minutes later, he comes back and the lady makes a takeaway order.

Finally it's my turn in 15 minutes!

He asks which table and I am at last able to pay for my meal.

This is horrible service especially that guy at the counter.

Expect not to be served and lots of waiting time when...

I asked them 3x regarding the banquet A which costs 32aud if i have to order for 4 persons since it is for minimal 4 persons. The cashier told me, no need. And they just charged me for 32 dollars for banquet A, just one charge. So i was left in awe, like, ok it is a good deal. She even came to me and asked me if we are 4 persons who will eat that- so i said yes. Then they started serving the entree. The staff approached me again and told me, i paid only for 32 dollars and have to pay for another 96 dollars! I was like, ohhh. Thats what i asked and clarified multiple times. So I refused and told, stopped serving the food now. We ended up just eating the entree instead of having a proper main meal. The staff told me i can still order for the main meal but the point is, if the communication is good and if they explained and charged me the whole price beforehand (128 instead if just 32) i shouldnt have order the banquet and instead, just order a single main meal! It is easy to say to order again but you know, 30 dollars already spent for entree only. I couldnt afford to have another 30 dollars spent just because it is miscommunicated. She offered she will give me fried rice instead, but highlighted that she will pay for it (with her a bit rough face offering that as if it is my fault)...