Lanna Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in San Diego

Always trying new places and tasting food, I work as saver and i can't stop look for good and bad areas where servers and restaurants have or can improve, and now is Lanna turn. I hope to help those to crave good food and good service. Host / reception Lanna was fast and easy on the day me and my friend come to taste Thai food, it was a Saturday around 8pm, it wasn't too busy that day. RESTAURANT SETTING the restaurant has a nice design, is not over done with too many decoration, tabkes are simple and elegant, look new and clean when we came to the table, seat was comfortable. lighting was elegant, not too dark or to bright, jut kind of perfect, over all the place look clean and welcome. SERVICE Here is where i found many challenge in many restaurants, server sometimes are tire or just don't care, we were prompt to have our server ask for drinks, server didn't present with name and recommendation for drinks or food. When i place drinks order it took just normal time to get our drinks but the server didn't ask if we need water, we order some California merlot which was not very good. We place our food order and it came it a reasonable time, I like spicy food and ask for extra side of spicy but it never came till asked after 20 minutes later. service wasn't the best FOOD WE ORDER TOM YUM The flavor on Tom yum was very flat, the portion was small compared to other places, it stay hot for 5 minutes then it got cold. WE ORDER PAPAYA SALAD papaya salad was very nice, little different from other places, flavor was just right, the presentation wasn't the best but the flavor wasn't over not over too over done to light. WE ORDER ISLAND TREASURES flavor wasn't clear, it was a mix of everything at my point of view, the scallops where small size and few, ( i can't explain how much i like scallops, it is my favorite) Creamy curry sauce was tasty but the appearance is not good, it looks like a mix of left overs. Plates and silver ware We got dirty cup, yes that happens sometimes. I would...

I give it 4-star just because I have a special feeling of Thai food and Thai people. Look at the picture, will you buy such a small box with so many broken noodles for $16.16? I did. That night, Lara was tirelessly preparing her final the next day and even didn't have time to go out for a dinner. We had some leftovers from the lunch but not enough, I decided to buy some takeaway and googled this Thai restaurant. It's only 0.4 mile away, I walked there after ordering through the phone. The restaurant is in the middle of a bunch of car dealers, with a bright yellow lightbox outside labeled the logo. The restaurant looks ethnic, authentic, and decent. It has a big sculpture of two Thai welcoming at the gate, has four wooden buddha's hands on the wall, a wooden time of wheel on another wall, and a wooden sculpture of a group of gods and goddesses on the other wall. The entire dining room looks very Thai and fashion style. I got my food and walked back, besides the lunchbox, it's only one pair of chopsticks in the bag. Even no tissues at all. I ordered the Pad Kee Mao, which was a stir-fried flat rice noodle dish. I have to say the taste was good, but not surprisingly good. It's too spicy as a 5/10 spicy level. The portion was too small, and too many broken noodles. The squid was too soft without texture. The renovation for the dining room is worth 5-star and the food...

Day 3 San Diego - Shrimp curry and mango shrimp rolls.

Lanna Thai cuisine is a hidden gem. Despite its modest size, the restaurant exudes an air of efficient organization, making every visit a delightful experience. The staff, with their warm smiles and attentive service, create an inviting atmosphere that immediately puts patrons at ease.

One of the standout dishes at Lanna Thai is the shrimp rolls with mango cream cheese. This innovative creation strikes a harmonious balance between flavors and textures. The succulent shrimp melds seamlessly with the luscious mango cream cheese, creating a mouthwatering bite that leaves a lasting impression.

Equally impressive is the shrimp curry, a testament to the restaurant's commitment to using only the freshest ingredients. The dish bursts with vibrant colors, thanks to an abundance of crisp, tender vegetables that perfectly complement the plump, flavorful shrimp. The curry sauce, rich and aromatic, ties everything together in a symphony of taste.

In the end, dining at Lanna Thai is not just about savoring delectable dishes, but also about the overall experience. The combination of a small yet well-organized space, amiable staff, and exceptional cuisine makes it a must-visit for any connoisseur...