4/1/2007 - RESTAURANT REVIEW
RESTAURANT REVIEW
BENJARONG THAI Restaurant
by Greg & Julie Fields
It was a Friday night at the end of a long work week and it was time for a nice meal out with good friends. We landed at Benjarong Thai Restaurant at 1001 Park Ave. in Redlands (www.thebenjarong.com) and we are so glad we did.
Fortunately we had called ahead for reservations as Benjarong was buzzing with activity. We were impressed from the moment we entered the outside waiting area hosting an eclectic grouping of benches, a patio warmer and festive lights circling the nearby palm trees.
Upon entering the quaint building which has been tastefully restored, we knew we were in for a treat! Benjarong (a Thai word meaning five colors) garnered an A for the overall dining experiencea pleasant and warm ambience as well as friendly and timely service helped supplement the centerpiece of our timea delicious spread of Thai cuisine that will definitely make us repeat patrons.
We started with an order of fried wontons stuffed with ground chicken and spices topped with sweet and sour sauce. Next, we devoured a plate of Curry PuffsThai pastries filled with ground chicken, minced white onion, potato and curry powder. And finally, the Tom Kah Kai (hot and sour spicy soup of chicken, mushroom and baby corn in coconut milk) triggered one of our favorite sayingsTheres a party in my mouth and everyones invited!
In a wordexquisite.
Delivered only after ample time to enjoy our appetizers, four main dishes could barely fit onto our nicely decorated table (complete with linen tablecloth and napkins, fresh flowers and a tea light). House Special Fried Rice (served in a half pineapple), Phad Ka-Pow (meat or tofu, stir fried with chili, bell pepper and basil Benjarong sauce), Phad Woon-Sen (stir fried flat rice noodles, choice of meat or tofu, broccoli and egg in sweet brown soy sauce) and Orange Chicken were all beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.
We left Benjarong completely satisfied and grateful to have such a classy and affordable dining option in our town of Redlands.
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