Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi — Restaurant in Holly Springs

It's not often that I feel inclined to write a review for a restaurant after my first visit, but I enjoyed my experience here today so much that I felt it was warranted. I also live over an hour away, so it may be some time before I get to enjoy Osha again.

Upon my arrival I was greeted cheerfully, despite the fact that I had just finished playing a round of disc golf at the nearby Jones Park and was likely damp with sweat. I was offered seating at the bar and sushi bar, but when I made it clear that I would be more comfortable at a two-top the hostess was quick to entertain my request. I would normally be happy to take a bar seat as a single, but I figured it would be more respectful to not offend other guests with my sporty presence. I was just looking for some good food at the time and was not aware of the pleasant and casually upscale environment of this establishment.

I ordered the Groong Zaab (a fried shrimp appetizer), the Tom Kha soup with chicken, and the Pad Woon Sen with Beef. Simply put, the food exceeded my expectations. The shrimp was incredibly crispy and a healthy portion. They were at least large/jumbos and were two biters. A lovely dipping sauce was included. Next came the soup. It may have been my favorite of the three. It was so flavorful and the chicken was soft and succulent. The Pad Woon Sen was also delicious, albeit not the star of the meal. Granted, there are far more flavorful options in Thai cuisine but it's a dish I often enjoy. There wasn't that "wok hei" that's I've sometimes experienced with this dish, but the beef was tender and everything was cooked well. It was a very enjoyable dish.

I also noted that the staff was quick to refill water, clear plates, and attend to patrons regardless of their assigned waiter. You can tell that it is a group effort to take care of their patrons. My waiter, Patrick, did a wonderful job attending to my experience.

While I may not be able to visit often, this is a restaurant that will remain in my memory. I would be willing to venture off an intended course or make a special trip to visit again. I observed a well-run restaurant with an attentive staff and skilled kitchen. I very much enjoyed...

I recently visited Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi for the second time and wanted to share my thoughts on the overall experience. The first time I dined there, it was an exceptional culinary journey, and I couldn't wait to return. However, my second visit didn't quite live up to my initial expectations. Here's a detailed review of my experience:

Upon revisiting Osha, I decided to order the Pad Thai, which had left a lasting impression on me during my first visit. The signature flavor of the dish was still there, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a delicious blend of Thai flavors.

However, the only downside I experienced during my second visit was the spice level. I ordered the dish with the "Thai hot" level of spiciness, just like I did the first time. However, this time it was a bit too much for my taste buds to handle. It was considerably spicier than I had expected, and I struggled to fully enjoy the dish due to the overwhelming heat. Perhaps, next time, I will opt for a milder level of spiciness to ensure a more balanced experience.

Moreover, during my second visit, the restaurant was quite busy, which I understand can impact the overall dining experience. The first time I dined at Osha, the service was prompt, and the attention to detail was remarkable. However, this time around, the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed by the crowd, resulting in longer waiting times and less personalized service. While I acknowledge the challenges of handling a busy restaurant, I hope that Osha can find ways to maintain consistency in their service quality, even during peak hours.

Despite my slightly underwhelming experience during my second visit to Osha, I would still recommend it based on the memorable first experience and the unique flavors offered, particularly the remarkable Pad Thai. I understand that maintaining consistency can be a challenge for any restaurant, especially during busy periods, but I hope that Osha can strive to uphold the high standards of food quality and service that impressed me initially. I will definitely consider giving it another chance in the future, and I hope to experience the same level of excellence that I encountered on my...

Being strong-armed by multiple staff members to vacate our table after 70 minutes of our dining experience, despite still actively enjoying our orders and being gracious and friendly guests, is NOT the way to treat your patrons!

My gal pal and I showed up and were seated at an outdoor patio table. Lovely. Had a delightful convo with the waitress. Super. We ordered wine and an appetizer. Perfect. We ordered dinner. Delish. And then the trouble began...

The massive clearing and rush to get us out began about an hour after being seated. I had food on my plate and they asked to clear it. Um, no, I'm not finished. And more of "Are you done with that?" from various staff over all the items on the table. Some yes, some no. Stop being a clear-a-holic! Yes, a cleared table is appropriate and proper, but having our convo interrupted multiple times is rude.

The waitress took another order of wine from us and then asked for us to settle the bill. Okay, I figured she wanted to clear out her nights' tab or something. After we paid, she asked us to vacate the table. We said, okay...meaning AFTER we finished our wine that we had ordered and paid for. Not a bit later, another staff member came over and told us we needed to leave immediately because they had a "reservation." WHAT?!?!? We had wine in our glasses. We had been seated by staff. We had been served by staff. We didn't "steal" the table! We were enjoying dinner.

We finally did leave because it was so uncomfortable with the staff members hovering over us. AND WE LEFT WINE IN OUR GLASSES...THAT WE PAID FOR!

Question: Is there a time limit to eating, and what is it? Is an hour and ten minutes too much? Seems Osha Thai thinks so. The food is awesome. The patio is a lovely place. But, if there's a time limit to your tables then you need to tell us upfront so we know you're like the fast food of local restaurants and we will go elsewhere.

PHOTOS: delish Ume roll x 2, and our vacated table a FULL 10 minutes after we left! : (

Oh, and Osha Thai, you owe my gal pal and me a replacement 6...