PAI Northern Thai Kitchen — Restaurant in Toronto

Completely average in every way.

Listen, I love Chef Nuit. Kiin is one of my favourite spots in Toronto, and she's always been amazing, and very kind to me when I was a lowly food blogger. I will never stop singing her praises and recommending Kiin to everyone I know, and going every chance I get. And Sukhothai is not far behind.

PAI Uptown, however? What a disappointment. I went with people who had spent a lot of time in Northern Thailand and/or also been to the downtown location and loved it, and we all felt the same way about this uptown spot.

It's painfully Yonge & Eg. If you don't know what I mean by that, it's probably for the best, but as someone who spent my formative years up there, it is not a compliment.

The food is lacklustre. The cocktails are glasses of nothingjuice. The staff is confusing. There is a constant air of anxiety and rush. And the music is so, so loud and annoying. We had to basically yell the entire meal to just talk across a small table.

The food was so-so. Not exceptional or unique Northern Thai at all really. It was all the usual stuff you'd find at any midrange Canadian-Thai place. The Northern Thai platter was really disappointing. Barely any laab, or meat at all but moo ping was delicious. (What little there was of it.) It was like a giant pile of butternut squash??? I know times are hard, but come on. The som tam was neither pounded well nor particularly sour. The yum nua was passable as the beef was cooked nicely, but again, was a bit lacking. Maybe they've adjusted it for the typical North Toronto palate? ;) Or maybe we should have ordered the Khao soi to truly judge the Northern element?

I would not waste any money on the so-called cocktails. Laughably bad. Beer and water will do.

The coconut sorbet dessert was actually quite delicious, but it was too little, too late tbh.

Atmosphere felt more like a theme park than an attempt at an authentic Thai street market experience. The very tall ceilings made it seem like a kitschy decorative warehouse rather than a crowded food market. And I'm just glad we got a table along the side and not the big open area in the middle. I still remember when this building was bad nightclub after bad nightclub, and sadly, the space just feels like that, except with Thai decor. It looks fun in photos but doesn't feel great in person.

I absolutely hated--and I cannot stress this enough--the attire of the staff. I get it's casual. I get it's "street style". And I bet the staff love it. But having servers and food runners walk around in what looked like their pajamas like they are skipping their 7pm university class, is just off-putting and weird. One was even walking around with her purse and keys dangling off as if she was heading out the door? It makes asking to order or ask a question really confusing as you can't tell who is staff and who is a customer. And it's strange cos you'd think the super casual style would translate to their attitudes too, but they all seemed pretentious, flippant, and disinterested. Like they were too good to be serving anybody. Odd. This place is not cheap, so I would expect much better and refined service.

EXCEPT for our main server who was probably the most authentic, best part of the entire experience as she was actually Thai. And absolutely wonderful and super friendly. Best part of the visit. 5 stars for her and only her! ❤️

And the hosts were helpful and friendly.

I can't blame Chef Nuit for any of this as I'm sure she is not the GM and these, apart from the menu, seem to be management decisions, but it is not a restaurant I would associate with her calibre. I would have just assumed PAI was yet another vaguely Thai-themed Canadian chain franchise if I didn't know better.

It's fine if you aren't picky about Thai, and if you're looking for a half-decent restaurant in the area. But if you're expecting Kiin-style quality with a slightly different Thai cuisine, it's best to just go to Sukhothai. Both Kiin and Sukhothai are a hundred times better...

We decided to try this place out for a date night and felt it was a pretty decent Thai spot. It's hard to find good authentic Thai food but this place is as close as it gets. We ordered Fried Squash appetizer (forgot what it was called), Holy Basil Pork with Rice, and Coconut Green Curry. The Fried Squash appetizer was really good and served with a nice sauce to dip into. Decent portion as well. The Green Curry was my absolute favourite and it was served in a coconut with rice wrapped in a leaf; beautiful presentation. The Curry had a wonderful creamy taste with a hint of spice in the background and the perfectly done rice absorbed the flavours of the curry to create a wonderful lasting taste in your mouth. The Holy Basil Pork with rice had an amazing smokey taste in the background and the fried egg was done as it should be. The atmosphere and decor is spot on adding a vibe that can be felt from the moment you step in and even in the washrooms. Its got a lot of original design from the building itself with colours, flags and art added in. Surprisingly even thou this location is above a bar it still has a upstairs section and it is a huge space. The washroom decor has a retro vibe with posters of different artist throughout the ages. Where Pai lost stars from me was the service and attention to detail/requests. First it took a while for our server to get around to us and acknowledge us. It wasn't a super busy evening so it felt as if we were left just sitting around until someone was ready for us. Not only that but consider the amount of food ordered the table was very small and congested leaving an anxious feeling of something falling and making a mess. This problem could have been easily addressed by placing a 2nd small table next to it or suggesting moving to a bigger one, however that is the attention to detail the waiting staff seems to miss. The girl that brought the food out even commented on the table being small but no one took initiative to fix it leaving a guest feeling there is a lack of service. Little details like that can make a huge difference in a guests experience. Second we ordered 2 Thai milk teas (they were delicious) but requested less ice however half the small glass was full of ice. Not sure if the waiter forgot to add the note or the bar missed it. You also got very little Thai milk tea for the price but even less when there's a ton of ice in it as well. I wish you received more like a regular sized glass instead of...

We indulged in a feast of Tom Yum Soup, Pad Thai, Oxtail Curry, and Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream during our visit to PAI, and each dish left a lasting impression. Let me begin with the highlight of the evening, the Tom Yum Soup. This dish was an absolute triumph—a symphony of bold and vibrant flavors that danced on the palate. Each sip offered an aromatic burst of lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chili, creating a perfectly balanced harmony of sour, spicy, and savory. The shrimp, cooked to perfection, absorbed the rich flavors of the broth and added a delightful texture. It was truly the star of the meal.

Next, the Pad Thai was nothing short of spectacular. We opted for the spiciest version, and it delivered on every level. The tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles were coated in a flavorful sauce that had just the right balance of sweetness and heat. Each bite was a testament to the dish’s authenticity, leaving us thoroughly satisfied and craving more.

The Oxtail Curry, on the other hand, brought a unique twist to the meal. The richness of the curry, infused with spices reminiscent of Indian cuisine, created a dish that felt both familiar and exotic. The oxtail meat was exquisitely tender, falling off the bone effortlessly, and the bold flavors of the curry were a delightful surprise that paired beautifully with the jasmine rice.

To finish, we shared a serving of Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream, which provided a sweet and refreshing end to our meal. The creamy texture and subtle tea-infused flavor made it a delightful palate cleanser and a treat that perfectly encapsulated the essence of Thai desserts.

Beyond the food, the ambience at PAI added an extra layer of charm to our dining experience. The decor, featuring vibrant posters of Thai festivals and a nod to the iconic film Ong Bak, transported us straight to Thailand, setting the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal.

Overall, PAI is an incredible destination for anyone seeking authentic Thai cuisine. The dishes are crafted with care, bursting with flavors that celebrate the richness of Thai culinary traditions. It’s a place I’ll gladly return to, not just for the exceptional food but also for the warm and inviting atmosphere. I can’t wait to explore more of their menu on...