Phattra Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Metuchen

The restaurant has a cool modern atmosphere that is different than most Thai restaurants. Upon arrival for a reservation for 8 people we only had about 5 menus. The staff were walking very hurriedly and didn't take notice to me at all. We ended up sharing and passing around the menus which slowed the process of everyone deciding what they wanted to order.

The waitress finally came and asked us to order to which we asked to place our appetizer order first and needed a few minutes for the entrees. She insisted she needed to put everything at once because "the kitchen is busy" which was kind of off putting. I asked if it was possible to have more time to which she seemed frustrated at so those who were ready started to order and those who were not, to me, seemed rushed/stressed to pick something.

Each of us went around ordering our entrees and when the waitress went to read it back aloud I told her my mother (who's birthday it was) might want to change her order. The waitress just turned around and walked away as if she did not have enough time to deal with a changed order that, mind you, she had just written down and had not even sent over to the kitchen yet. It was incredibly rude and the entire table was pretty uncomfortable about how rushed everything was.

I also inquired about the shrimp appetizer and asked how many shrimp came in an appetizer so I would know how many to order for the table. The photograph in the menu featured four shrimp pieces but the waitress told me it was three. I pointed out there were four pieces of shrimp stacked on top of one another and that the fourth tail was hidden behind another which was misleading. She insisted the picture had three to which my brother in law chimed in and said there were four in the picture. Since there were seven adults at the table I did not want to misorder the quantity. Being flustered from all this we opted against shrimp. The waitress definitely could have handled this interaction way better and explained that the picture was incorrect.

We were kind of asked to bus our own table and pass plates to our server pretty often which felt like it interrupted conversations and made me feel like I was working harder than I usually need to at any sit down restaurant.

After a short lull the appetizers started to arrive. The calamari was okay just nothing special (portion size was decent for $10). The soft shell crab was okay but it was just one medium sized crab battered and fried and to me didn't have anything super special about it. The steamed dumplings tasted a lot like dim sum shumai and at $2 a piece were really quite small. I would not recommend it for $8 for four tiny dumplings.

The entrees came and admittedly everything tasted really good. I ordered the pad see ew which was tasty and had four decent sized shrimp on it ($2 extra for beef or shrimp). My mother ordered pineapple fried rice with shrimp and it was also quite good. My husband and brother ordered curries and they really enjoyed them and though the portions looked small they were quite filling. The fried red snapper entree was also really big and really flavorful. I'd probably recommend ordering that to share with someone because the portion size is quite large.

For four appetizers and 7 entrees (2 Thai iced teas and no other beverages) the bill was $200 pre-gratuity. They also wrote in 15% tip which was weird because no where was it noted that groups of "x" or larger would be automatic but typically I leave more than 15% so I suppose they missed out. But, given the service, 15% was more than appropriate. The food alone probably would have earned four stars from me but after all, they aren't the only Thai restaurant in the area and we came for a special occasion, a birthday, and received a less than...

Extremely disappointed by my recent experience here. My friends and I have been patronizing this restaurant for years now, the ambience is great and the food was always quality. Unfortunately, last night, we got takeout--one tofu dish and one shrimp dish (we do not eat meat for religious reasons). The dish with shrimp had a huge piece of chicken in it, which also made us suspicious of the tofu dish as well, as it seemed like there may have been 1-2 very small pieces of chicken but we just couldn't be sure. Upon calling the restaurant immediately about this, they continually stated that since it's "only one piece of chicken" it's not a big deal, not caring or understanding that there is a religious reason and it has now tainted the dish, which was off-putting to say the least.

Eventually, they agreed to replace the dishes IF we came back WITH both dishes immediately. Upon arriving, the food was snatched from us to be "inspected." The worker who snatched the food (and took it to the back to check it) came back out with a fork, picking through the tofu dish because there was no chicken in it, and adamant that they cannot replace that dish. I explained that we now do not trust the dish because of the chicken in the other dish (and now he's picked through it with a fork), at which point they said, "it's a clean fork!" and that it's impossible for chicken to have made its way into the tofu dish because their kitchen is not designed this way, and we are welcome to go and check it. All we asked was that both dishes be replaced and they refused to do this until we threatened to leave reviews and not return there; they made us feel like WE did something wrong. The whole time the lady at the register had a sour look on her face and they treated us long-time customers with a lot of disrespect, considering they had made a mistake.

They did agree to replace both dishes--upon returning home, we found the tofu dish had TWO pieces of hair in it. We're absolutely DONE with this restaurant and did not even bother calling again about this, fearful of more attitude from the restaurant workers. This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and treatment by a restaurant when they have done wrong. Those two massive mistakes, the dismissive attitude, and terrible customer service have proved to us that they do not deserve out business and we will not...

I can confidently say that I have discovered a true culinary gem in Metuchen – the best Thai restaurant I have ever tried. This hidden gem has become the go-to spot for both my friend and me, and here's why.

From the moment you step into this Thai haven, you're greeted with an inviting ambiance that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience. The menu is a treasure trove of Thai delights, and having explored almost every corner of it, I can attest that nothing has ever disappointed me.

One standout dish that has secured this restaurant's place as the top Thai spot in my book is their Kee Mao Drunken Noodle. It's not just good; it's the best I've ever had. The perfect blend of flavors, the right level of spice, and the freshness of ingredients make it a true masterpiece. Each bite is a journey through layers of savory goodness, leaving an indelible mark on my taste buds.

What makes this Thai restaurant truly special is the consistency in delivering high-quality, delicious dishes. Whether you're a regular Thai cuisine enthusiast or a first-timer, there's something on the menu to satisfy every palate. The attention to detail in preparation and presentation is evident, reflecting the passion the chefs pour into their craft.

The friendly and attentive staff add to the overall positive experience, making every visit memorable. It's not just about the food; it's about the entire dining experience that keeps drawing us back.

In a town with many dining options, this Thai restaurant stands out as a beacon of culinary excellence. Whether you're a local resident or passing through Metuchen, missing out on this Thai gem would be a culinary travesty.

In conclusion, if you're seeking an unforgettable Thai dining experience, look no further. This restaurant has not only won our hearts but has become the benchmark against which we measure all other Thai establishments. A true treasure in Metuchen's culinary scene.

Five stars without a...