Thai Nesia Restaurant — Restaurant in Sydney

(3.5 stars) Thai Nesia Restaurant has been part of the fabric of Oxford Street—now dubbed the Rainbow Precinct—since I was in primary school. They make no bones about being queer friendly, with a satiny rainbow flag the first thing that catches your eye as you enter the fabric-heavy dining room. This obvious community support, combined with friendly Thai service, cements Thai Nesia in the memory of residents and precinct users. This makes it a full and convivial space even on a cold and wintery Wednesday night. Thai Nesia is also a rare BYO-only restaurant, so if you like to imbibe, grab a bottle as you saunter up the street once known as the Golden Mile.

So, what does nostalgia taste like? Well as a queer club kid loading up for a night of drinking and dancing, I remember being wowed by prawn betel leaves ($12/2). By today’s palate they lack the salty, sweet, sour and hot explosions I’ve had elsewhere, but are fresh and enjoyable regardless. Another menu stalwart, chilli basil duck ($30), teams roast duck slices with crisp Thai basil leaves, snake beans, and fresh baby corn. To an uplifting soundtrack that includes plenty of Kylie, I tuck into pad pla prawns ($30). In this dish, an adequate amount of king prawns are teamed with nicely spicy curry paste, lemongrass, kaffir lime and ginger, but let down by hard, undercooked apple eggplants. While Thai Nesia replicates my memories, I suspect my palate ain’t what...

Thai Nesia has been hitting the G-spot of discerning Oxford Street diners for nigh on 40 years and is as excellent today as it was when the Village People were still in short pants. The seemingly ageless coiffed floor staff must snooze through the wee hours and morning in vampiric red velvet-lined coffins bathed in the elixir of youth before swinging opening the doors again at 5:30pm each evening for a new wave of hungry well-heeled whities.

For a mouthgasm you won’t forget, slide some betel tempura prawns, lemongrass grilled scallops and mint/fish sauce Pacific oysters down your gullet for entrée. Then follow with the whole fried snapper in rich red curry base, fried duck and cashew salad, and thinly sliced chicken breast and pumpkin curry with fluffy white rice.

Blessed is the BYO status of this institution and happy are its loyal customers who waft out into the Darlo evening sated on the most divine blends of herbs and spices singing on their palates. Long may Thai Nesia be there to bring joy to our tummies whatever the season...

Had my birthday event there, had it booked advance for weeks, was shown the upstairs area that would be the space for the function. When we all rocked up they squished 23 of us on one large table and had at least 12 other guests on other tables. I had at least 3 calls with them before the event, not one mention that there would be other people. We all paid $55 for the banquet option and what we got was 1 money bag and 1 satay stick each, then 5 main meals to share between 4 people. Towards the end, I asked is that all the food and they said that’s it, I said it’s not enough for a banquet (we should’ve ordered a main and a starter each!), the manager proceeded to fat-shame couple of my friends by saying I have big people in my group. He then went over and grabbed 1 extra masaman curry. One friend said she had allergy to almonds and despite checking each dish, she ended up having a reaction and left early....