Kanlaya — Restaurant in Lake View Township

I visited Kanlaya last night, an absolute gem located in Lincoln Square, and everything about my experience was flawless. The cozy, charming ambiance makes it the perfect spot for a date or an intimate dinner with friends. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with warm hospitality. The service was impeccable, and having the owner, Bella Nista, there to greet guests and offer recommendations added a delightful personal touch.

I started with the Pork Potstickers, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and filled with flavorful, tender pork. They were light and not greasy, setting the tone for the rest of the meal. The Larb Salad with beef was a refreshing and vibrant dish, packed with fresh, organic greens and perfectly seasoned beef. The combination of herbs, lime, and just the right amount of spice made it incredibly satisfying and healthy.

For the main course, I had the Khao Crying Tiger, a beautifully plated dish featuring tender, grilled slices of beef bursting with rich, smoky flavor. It was served with a side of perfectly cooked rice and a tangy dipping sauce that elevated the dish even further. To complement the meal, I enjoyed a Mojito Mocktail, which was refreshingly crisp, with just the right amount of mint and lime to cleanse the palate.

Every dish was crafted with care, using the freshest organic ingredients, and the flavors were bold, clean, and authentic. Kanlaya Thai is truly exceptional, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious, healthy, and authentic Thai cuisine in Chicago. I’m already looking forward to...

I fully acknowledge that this place will become even more popular by me leaving this review and singing its praises and that’s ok. Eating there even once was such an insanely great experience I’ll treasure it forever.

Cutting to the chase: We had Thai iced tea, Pork potstickers with special house sesame sauce and fried garlic, Thai Steamed Seafood Curry, and Khao Soi Chicken. No notes. Top to bottom completely perfect meal. The Seafood Curry comes with a tiny liquid side dish of garlic and spicy peppers which she recommends just using a little at a time because it is spicy and salty. It complimented the dish so well!!

The owner waited on us and for a decent while we were the only table in the restaurant. We came in at 6pm on a Tuesday. She gave us incredible service, and also shared a lot of her personal lore of how the restaurant came to be and where the dishes come from. Her name is Chef Bella Sansak and she is a total delight and a culinary force to be reckoned with.

All of her offerings are made with fresh ingredients and from scratch. Bella is an open book and so hospitable. She offers to teach anyone who is interested in learning some Thai words and also happy to share any travel and cultural tips.

The place is small and mighty. I won’t be surprised if there’s a line out the door one of these days. Can’t wait...

Kanlaya was exceptional! I ordered the panang curry, and my wife had drunken noodles - standards for both of us. At the chef/owner's suggestion, we also added potstickers. Normally, I'm usually indifferent to potstickers, but Kalaya's are worth the reputation! The presentation makes it obvious that this is special. They were beautifully seasoned with chili and roasted garlic, as well as light, flavorful sauce. The drunken noodles included a stalk of fresh peppercorns, which lent a bright, citrus flavor as well as black pepper heat. I've never seen that in the dish before, and it transformed the entire flavor in a novel way. The panang curry was a classic style, but somehow the flavors were richer and more layered than any I'd had before. I told the chef it was the best I'd ever had, and I meant it!

The dining space is not big or elaborate, but it was very clean and decorated in a way that evoked the feeling of a tropical island. A benefit of the intimate space is that the owner (who is also the head chef) is never far from the guests. She was so friendly and genuine - it was obvious she cared about our experience. Her suggestions were perfect, and we...