Otter Thai — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

First time ordering from this restaurant, and I am a hesitant person with new places, especially Asian cuisines. As I waited for the food, the other meals being bought out to tables looked fresh and delicious, the store and staff are tidy and service is friendly. When I drove 20 mins back home and plated up, I was impressed with the portions and ratios. The vegetables were nice and chunky, and still had the fresh 'crunch' after cooked. The sauces/juices were well portioned to cover/soak up rice after plating and tasted fresh and authentic too! I called the store to pass onto the chefs how yummy and fresh it tasted (which I have never felt the need to do anywhere but this time they had to be appreciated)! Best Thai I have ever had and the recipes seem authentic to the chefs working in there :) We ordered beef-chilli basil, chicken cashew, coconut rice and prawn spring rolls! My new go to for Thai and looking forward to becoming a...

Ate here for a change and had Pad Phrik Khing with pork and some entrees. Was way too salty and was advertised as spicy (two chillies) but was not spicy at all. The pork was also cut too thick so wasn’t as crispy and didn’t absorb the flavour as much and had too much fat but would’ve been nicer sliced thinner and not huge chunks. But the amount of saltiness made it hard to enjoy even with rice and there were no other distinct flavours under the salt. I’ve eaten the dish at other Thai restaurants in Newcastle, Sydney and Bangkok and know that’s not the norm.

It was a shame as the restaurant has great reviews but think it might have changed ownership since I originally went after it opened and had great food.

The staff were great though...

What a shame. The food isn’t cheap but the meat is reheated, chewy and dry. I arrived tonight to pick up our order and saw staff putting the ‘crispy’ pork in the microwave. There was nothing crispy about the pork. The 2nd piece I tried to eat had to be spat out it was that tough. The chicken dishes were fine at first but after a few minutes on the plates they were dry and chewy. They could do with decent sized portions too. The containers are small and not full. The vegetables are in HUGE chunks So that it takes up more space. Definitely going back to our regular Thai place on the highway. Photo is of ‘crispy...