Somkit (Touch of Thai) — Restaurant in Dixon Township

I am of a certain age where I remember when the first iteration of Somkit, came to Dixon. It was called Touch of Thai, and if you timed your visit just right, the practice of martial arts upstairs and associated noises, accompanied your meal.

Now as then, a visit to this family owned and operated restaurant is always a treat. When I took a business class many years ago, I remember the cautionary wisdom of the instructor trying to steer any of us away from becoming restauranteers as the failure rate was obnoxiously high in the first handful of years. Somkit has staying power and for good reason!

Last night, a family member needed a hand in Dixon, and upon wrapping things up, my daughter and I were both a little hungry. It was an easy choice to wander downtown and a glimpse through the restaurant window, showed the dinner rush had passed.

Grabbing a seat, my daughter and I perused the menu. As we are on the cusp of a trip to Spain, she stretched her palette in preparation for trying new foods and ordered sushi she normally wouldn’t try. I also mixed things up and instead of ordering my go to Tom Yum, I ordered the Thai Chicken Noodle Soup with the seaweed salad as a starter.

On a side note, before posting a review, I don’t typically read previous reviews, but today I did. Many people posted about slow service. Again, I have had multiple meals with this family through the years and feel the need to add my .02. I have never felt the service was particularly slow. Having lived overseas and traveling fairly extensively, the speed of the service aligns with higher end restaurants the world over that understand part of the experience is the interconnectedness of the ambiance, people and anticipation; it is not to be rushed but savored. And the anticipation has always paid off and it did last night.

As I mentioned above, I switched things up and went with the Thai Chicken Noddle. When the bowl arrived, the smells emanating from it were intoxicating. The garlic and cilatro fought for primacy, interwoven and enticing but as I took the first bite, it was the broth that won the day!

The broth was silky and sublime, which one would not expect from a $10 bowl of soup. It was Garlic forward, but constructed so that it did not overpower the nuanced flavor profile. Digging in for a full bite with broth, noodles and chicken was combination I could eat day in and day out. It was perfectly balanced and satisfied any and all anticipation!

My daughter tore through her sushi quickly, enjoying it and, as she has since about the age of 2, asked if she could taste mine which is code for her asking to share it!

As with all great meals and companionship, it ended too quickly. We made our way back home, wrapping up another day.

As you make your restaurant choices, do so with intention. Look for places that make time stand still, if but for a moment, where connections can be strengthened, renewed or started. Seek out places...

Touch of Thai 221 W 1st St Dixon, IL 61021

It had been awhile since my wife and I had Thai food so we were both excited and to make things even better we had no kids with us. Downtown Dixon on a Saturday night was a happenin place to be. I was actually surprised by the amount of people out and about drinking and dining. Touch of Thai was no less busy and we never even thought about reservations. When we walked in the hostess told us it would be over an hour wait, however the owner has a wine bar next door that they (deliver?) food to. The wine bar named The Crystal Cork is an upscale modern cool place where lots of cool people are. There were two girls sharing bartending and serving duties that were really nice and did a great job.

The menu is a combination of standard Thai offerings and sushi. I love Thai but I’m just not a big fan of Midwest sushi. It’s the whole distance and age thingy of raw seafood and all. I know I’m probably wrong but that’s my OCD and I have to live with it. I ordered Green Curry which is from the menu: Thai green curry, with bamboo shoots, bell peppers, green peas and fresh basil leaves and I choose to have chicken with mine. The presentation was nice, even in the take out container. It was really colorful and was topped with the basil leaf.

Alright time to break it down. You will pay a premium markup for your opportunity to sit in the wine bar and have your food delivered. We waited over an hour for our “delivery”. The dish was neither green nor had the flavor of curry. The chicken had an odd flavor and never had a chance to absorb the sauce which tasted of pure coconut milk. The vegetables were very undercooked and the portions were meager. The cocktails were good.

According To The Big Food Jerk.

Touch of Thai/Crystal Cork is a nice place that is overpriced for mediocre food and small portions. I like the atmosphere but I disliked the wait and the food. This place is not worth the coinage.

P.S. What’s up with the...

The Jewel of Dixon, Somkit (Touch of Thai). Thanks to the wonderful service and fantastic sushi chefs the evening was a great success. First impressions of the immediate greeting with a smile, soothing atmosphere, well thought out seating floor plan and liquor counter placement were perfect. Drink options were plentiful, and food options not overwhelming. A perfect balance of food. The Pad Woonsen was flavorful and executed to perfection. Tropical Roll was a sublime balance of fish to rice with the sauces delicately drizzled atop. The presentation was well done with the placement of the garnish as to not be in the way but a subtle reminder of what was in front. From the light exposure to the black marble counter and intriguing design of the interior with the use of iron piping and light color wood shelving, a great touch of rustic class. Elliot(t) and the Somkit service family presented an evening to remember and return to,...