Thai Space — Restaurant in New South Wales

(3.5 stars) “One, two, three, four... seven!” My dining companion is counting prawns. It strikes me as odd before I look at the large sizzling platter of spicy Thai prawns ($23.90) and see that it’s basically a collection of well-handled vegetables cooked with red chilli and aromatic spices like lemongrass and green peppercorns. While the prices at Thai Space, Ettalong are comparatively low, the restaurant misses the mark on the perception of good value by serving the dish in this manner.

BBQ lamb cutlets ($19.90)—depicted on-the-bone in the menu pictures—arrive grilled and marinated but bone-free. They’re tasty, but not quite as tasty as they would have been if cooked bone-in with fat to melt, like the super-tender massaman lamb shank ($21.90). Served with a single roti, this is easily my favourite dish, impressing with a plump lamb shank and a compelling curry gravy, enhanced by mashed sweet potato, crisp fried onions and a swirl of coconut cream. We ate it on spicy fried rice with chicken ($15.90) that was a bit over-moist for it. In retrospect, coconut rice would have been a better option.

Service felt a bit bare bones—nothing wrong but lacking a few airs and graces. However the fact that Thai Space allows BYO and does a competent job across all dishes in an attractive enough indoor-outdoor setting edged with banana palms, means locals and visitors...

First visit to Thai Space as new residents. My wife's and my overall impressions and experience was very disappointing. The decor was attractive and staff friendly, however Thai staff were dressed in nice uniforms yet casual staff were dressed in ragged shorts/ sports shoes/ and a hoody, which didn't reflect the type of place we wanted to spend a Saturday night in. The wooden chairs were uncomfortable, not all with cushions. My wife took a cushion from a chair at the next table and was surprised to find the silk, decorative material ripped open with a very badly stained cushion inside. Not a very good first impression. We were expecting to hear Thai music playing in keeping with the atmosphere, however it was monotonous, basically played piano. Entree selected was Money Bags which were puff pastry with corn kernel filling, unlike any money bags we recognised and have always enjoyed in the past at various Thai restaurants over the decades we have eaten out. Main courses were forgettable. Needless to say we will try another Thai restaurant next time...

The food is great, but service and hospitality are lacking. We ordered two entrée share plates and a red curry and prawn noodles .The food was delicious, but was let down by us being rushed out the door at 8.45PM on a Friday evening We did take a while to order as we were chatting and enjoying catching up. After 20 minutes of placing our order the wine hadn’t arrived, We called one of the wait staff over to ask for it .We were then informed that the Pinot Gris wasn’t available and could we order something else. The other choices were a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay. We ordered the Chardonnay. It was a further 15 minutes before it arrived. At 8:45PM with food still left our plates were cleared. Our wine was not finished and we were asked to pay This was very disappointing, the venue took over 30 minutes to bring us the wine and yet did not give us time to finish it . Surely, if you are a dine in restaurant the guests should be given time to enjoy the experience particularly on the weekend ....