Basil Thai Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in San Francisco

My friend and I went to Basil Thai Restaurant and Bar for SF restaurant week, and it struck a positive chord with its nice ambiance and friendly service. The restaurant itself has a contemporary feel, with sleek décor and a lively atmosphere. Our server was attentive and prompt, making sure our water glasses were always full and answering any questions we had about the extensive menu.

Speaking of the menu, it's a Thai food lover's dream! They offer a wide array of dishes, from classic noodle and fried rice options to soups, salads, rice plates, and enticing snacks. Their Restaurant Week deal for $45 included a three-course meal and a drink. And that's what we tried. They also had happy hour going on when we were there, so we ordered some snacks and drinks on the side - $10 cocktails, $6 snacks, $5 beer, and $9 house wine.

Here's a breakdown of some of the dishes we tried:

Steamed Pork & Crab Dumplings: While the filling was flavorful, the dough was a bit thick and undercooked at first. We mentioned this to the staff, and they kindly offered to cook them a bit longer. The second attempt was better, but the dough was still a tad thicker than ideal.

Thai Aguachile: This dish was a refreshing take on ceviche. Shrimp, scallops, and squid were bathed in a zesty lime marinade and served with crispy sesame rice crackers. It was a perfect light and flavorful starter.

BBQ Pork Ribs: The ribs were not your typical fall-off-the-bone ribs but they were cooked well. The accompanying green papaya and carrot slaw provided a nice crunch, while the smoked tomato relish added a touch of smokiness that balanced the sweetness of the ribs.

Pan-Roasted Japanese Scallops: These perfectly cooked scallops were bathed in a savory Thai XO sauce and accompanied by tempura green beans. It was delicious and beautifully presented dish.

Sweet Mango & Coconut Cream Sticky Rice: This classic Thai dessert did not disappoint. The sticky rice was perfectly cooked, and the sweetness of the mango paired beautifully with the creamy coconut sauce.

Thai Iced Tea: A refreshing and classic beverage to complement the meal.

We also tried a few other dishes that were not on the Restaurant Week menu but were definitely worth it:

Indian Flat Bread & Curry: This dish offered a delightful surprise – crispy flatbread paired with a flavorful and savory vegetable curry.

Corn Fritters, Cucumber Salad 'Kao Pode Tod': These crispy fritters were a delightful textural contrast to the cool and refreshing cucumber salad.

Overall, Basil Thai offers a modern take on classic Thai dishes with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. While the undercooked dumplings were a minor misstep, the friendly service, extensive menu, and delicious food make it a great choice for a fun and flavorful dining experience. Especially with the Restaurant Week deal, it's a great opportunity to try a variety of their offerings at...

Unappetizing bias. It's unfortunate this restaurant treats people of color differently. The restaurant was not even a quarter full, having dinner around 5 p.m., but we were denied for my kid and I, to sit at a table of four to be next to each other, so I can help cut her food. We were told we could only sit at a table for two, across from each other. Okay, so we sat where they put us, no problem. Yet, as we're having dinner, there was a white party of two, who were offered the table for four, followed by another white couple of two too, who got treated better, and were offered the table for four again. When I called it out to the waitress because she physically came to move my kid's chair to scoot her in, so she can sit someone else behind her, she said she was not racist and if we wanted to move now, in the middle of dinner. Then had the nerve to say it was because they were saving the tables for reservations. I was hurt that regardless of how well I dress, how hard I work at exposing my little girl to other cultures and foods, we can't get treated fairly, and I'm the one that has to be measured to not make a scene, and I won't, because my child is watching my reactions and learning from me. I tipped, not for the racist experience from the women that work here, but because as a woman of color, I don't want others to be treated the way we were, I live in the area and I can hold my head up high if I see them in the street again. The food was just not good enough to ever return anymore. This was not a one off here, but it's taught me now for sure, that they don't deserve my...

Hands down. The. Best. Thai. In. SF.

That’s right, I said it. Despite tons of options for Southeast Asian food in the city, Basil still takes the top spot for best Thai food I’ve had in the three years here.

The Panang Curry with braised short rib is absolutely everything. Without a doubt, order this dish. The velvety coconut curry sauce coats incredibly tender, high quality pieces of beef. We literally almost licked the plate, it was that good!

The pad thai was a great second plate, though I do wish the shrimp came tail-free (just a personal preference). We enjoyed all of the cocktails, with my personal favorite being the BKK Negroni. All-in-all, we were extremely happy with everything we had!

The one drawback is that the service, though warm and friendly, just frankly seems green. Despite several tables still open, the service was spotty and slow — we had drinks forgotten and entrees arrive sporadically between one another.

The entire dining experience took about 45 mins longer than it needed to, but the saving grace was that the food was freaking phenomenal. The staff wasn’t rude or anything — quite the opposite — but really needs to tighten up their ship to take this from four stars to a home...