Craving Thai or Chinese food while living in Baltimore can be quite a tease. Unlike San Francisco or New York, our lovely city is certainly not a mecca for Asian cuisine. The selection of decent restaurants is minimal and often the food would be more accurately advertised as American entrees with Asian flare.
Unlike many restaurants' misleading attempts to publicize their establishments as traditional Asian eateries, Thai Arroy is true to its name. Arroy, appropriately meaning delicious in Thai, perfectly describes the food at this small Federal Hill restaurant. From the moment I walked into the small dining area, I knew that this was it, the genuine Thai meal that I had been searching for. A detailed mural and burgundy brick walls create a dramatic ambiance for Arroy's limited space. Nine glass-covered tables with intricate Thai tablecloths are close together, generating a relatively high noise level for diners.
The mesmerizing aroma of sautéed shallots, coconut milk and curry distracts the customers' attention away from the crowded accommodations. Blue and white china, cloth napkins and tiny oriental vases create an unexpectedly upscale atmosphere.
The wait staff's customary Thai attire reflects a dedication to a higher quality and traditional dining experience. The service was fantastic. Early on a Friday evening I was quickly seated without a reservation. The friendly staffer patiently answered questions about the menu and offered great recommendations for our meal.
The spring roll appetizer ($6) was perfectly crisp and generously packed with chicken, cabbage, carrot and bean thread, complimented with a side of tangy sweet chili sauce. The entrees were equally delightful and could have each easily fed two people.
In order to establish a point of comparison to other Thai restaurants, I ordered the most common plate -- chicken pad thai. Unlike most pad thai, the rice noodles were surprisingly light and extremely sticky with a subtle lemon flavoring. The contrast between the sour citrus zest and the sweet Thai sauce made a blend that was addictive.
For my second entrée, I was adventurous and tried the kha tiem prik thai. The bite-sized portions of chicken were flawlessly sautéed with ground pepper, fresh garlic, onion and scallion. The chicken was paired with broccoli and rice that were cooked to perfection. Just as the restaurant's name claims, the food is not only absolutely delicious, but it also doesn't leave you feeling like you have just consumed a plate of oil, which is rare for most Thai cuisine. I say hooray for Arroy.
