Thai Gourmet — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

UPDATE September 2024 almost 2 years since last review

The place had an interior facelift, the dining room is much pleasanter👏.

The menu has not changed: 😑Common listings found in so many similar eateries. 😡 There remain extraneous listings like that horrid General Tso that one questions Thai authenticity.

FLAVORS AGAIN ARE HIT-OR-MISS. The heat level, which they make a point to ask DOES NOT hit the mark. Fragrant spices are lacking in some dishes.

😊😊😊 Hoi Jawh: uniquely Thai that seems to be 1 of their 2 specialties. BUT the dipping sauce is too sugary.

😡😡😡😡😡 Crab Voluptuous (aka crab rangoon) is simply horrible DESPITE their emphatic description that it is filled with real crab meat. THE CREAM CHEESE DROWNED AND MASSACRED ANY TEXTURE OR FLAVOR OF CRAB, if any. … except for a bite, this food was left on the plate (… it was bad this to waste food)

🫤🫤🫤🫤🫤Green Curry Vegetables: the familiar mild flavor of Thai curry is there. The crunchiness and freshness of veggies is good. BUT IT IS ON THE SWEET SIDE, clearly sugar was added despite the waiter”s insistence that sugar was not added. .. it was rescued by mixing in Chili Oil on the table.

😊😊😊 Moo Palo: uniquely Thai and is their 2nd of 2 specialties. This is a lovely stew of pork with all the fragrance of spices that makes Thai food so very distinctive.

Service is good.

+++ ORIGINAL REVIEW

Take away counter, apparently since the lockdown. Overall very flavorful, yet bordering on mediocrity.

My Thai colleagues and I also have questions on authenticity with reviews about General Tso (a horrid Chinese-style concoction; absolutely not even Chinese), and the Mixed vegetable stir fry that lacks the Thai aromatics and tastes like (again) like a soy-heavy Chinese-style concoction. Then there’s also the so-called Crab Voluptuous that has cream cheese. Please, cheese is NEVER a component of Thai cuisine!

MAJOR PROBLEM: Most entrees, especially the stir fries and curries, are SUGARED. — We realized this after 2nd-3rd take aways when “we specifically ordered No Sugar added”. The fresh Vegetables and coconut milk are already naturally sweet, mild and pleasant. Added sugar is unhealthy!

THE FLAVORS ARE THERE, THEY JUST NEED MORE PUNCH Basil Leaves Vegetables is a good dish, BUT more basil please, especially Thai Basil. Italian or the common Basil just doesn’t make it.

Eggplant with chicken is perhaps their best stir fry.👏👏👏

Hoi Jaw: authentic Thai flavor plus the crunchy texture😎😎😎

Noodles and curries: Not recommended with the sugared sweetness👎👎👎

Chiang Mai Nee (aka Khao Soi): It’s suppose to be a queen of Thai cuisine but falls very short☹️☹️☹️. Tasty but lacks the aromatics (ginger, Kafir leaves, galangal, lemongrass), toppings lack crunch and excitement (like crispy noodles, shallots, cilantro), worst of all: the soup is very scanty (this is suppose to be a soup!!!)

Reception is...

So if you look at my review history you will see basically every Thai place in Pittsburgh so here are my thoughts

The place itself is nice, comfy seating, good space and plants. Parking is tough but that's the area so not much can be done about that.

Let's start with appetizers

1.) The dumplings were good and so was the sauce, the dumpling itself was a bit sticky and soft but the filling had an excellent flavor profile and they came out piping hot.

2.) The crab voluptuous (rangoons) were exceptional, you could taste the actual crab and the filling was supreme and they were fried beautifully. In my top 3 easily and perhaps #1 in the area.

Soups

1.) Wonton, had plenty of leafy green which I do like but the wonton itself wasn't very good and the broth was watery and very bland.

2.) Tom Kha with Chicken, again it was loaded with all the goodies but once again the broth was watery and was really lacking in flavor

3.) Tom Yum with chicken, once again the lemon grass flavors were absent and it was once again watery. It was loaded with meat and veggies but there was no life to the broth.

Bottom line all the soups had broths that were watery and dull, I will say as a positive that a level 10 here is indeed a level 10. The only Thai place I had that was hotter is Red Orchid in the North Hills.

Curry's

1.) Green Curry, ok here is where things start to excel, this green curry was one of the best I have had in the area, the broth was excellent and the flavors were an absolute delight. It was thinner than some others I have had but the flavor was spot on and I enjoyed it a lot. Top 5 hands down

2.) Pangang Curry, like the green curry this was also outstanding and in my top 5.

Fried Rice My kids ordered a variety of the friend rices and they were all excellent, the rice was cooked perfectly, the flavors were outstanding and the portions were American style aka huge.

In terms of drinks they have a cooler of various drinks you can pick from including soda in glass bottles and your classic Thai affairs like Thai ice team, Thai coffee, and even Thia lime tea which was delightful.

Bottom line this place is great in nearly all areas except the soups, those were watery and lacked flavor but everything else was top notch. If you into curry you will really enjoy this Thai restaurant. If you like soups check out my other reviews for better options in terms of soups like Smiling Banana Leaf in Highland Park or Maenam Thai in Blawnox. Maenam Thai pork ball soup is still my absolute favorite in all...

This place is on the top of my list for the best Thai in the city. Always so consistent, very generous portions, family owned and operated, and to top it off it's VERY vegan friendly. They have a separate fryer for all their vegetables, which is pretty uncommon. The General Tso's Tofu is the best I have ever had, I can't go here without ordering it! Spring rolls are so fresh, and crab ragoons are a staple order for my boyfriend. Recently had the chili paste stir fry and the veggies were SO fresh and of quality. Not mushy or anything. They stand up and are crisp and flavorful. I seriously dream about General Tso's tofu and have to satisfy the craving every so often. Nothing comes close to their dish! They also have awesome lunch specials and now offer delivery. Prices are very affordable, especially for the portion sizes and quality of food. Love supporting this restaurant whenever I can. They are also BYOB,...