Message: | I agree that Ruen Pair (corrected spelling) is terrific. But is it, as one post suggests, "the best Thai in L.A." I think it's hard at present to definitively proclaim one Thai restaurant "best in L.A." I gave that accolade to Renu Nakorn when it was located in Norwalk (it's now Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas). But of the present Los Angeles area contenders, I favor certain specific dishes at certain restaurants, rather than one restaurant overall. If you forced me to choose my current overall favorite, however, it would be Kruang Tedd. I've found that this restaurant is especially consistent in the carefulness of its preparations. One of my "tests" in this respect is Chinese broccoli with crispy pork. At Kruang Tedd, the broccoli and pork are never carelessly prepared or overcooked, as they are from time to time at other places. At other restaurants (Palms, for example) I can have a wonderful experience one visit, and a disappointing one on the next.
In addition to Kruang Tedd, Ruen Pair, Palms, and the many other good Thai restaurants in Thai Town, I've recently had some wonderful Thai food at Thailand Plaza. It's nice to see this place back among the better restaurants in Thai Town.
Also, a minor correction to Thi's post: I'm not aware of any Northern Thai dishes on Ruen Pair's menu. The only Thai restaurant that I know of with a Northern Thai repertory is Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas. Ruen Pair, like Palms, Kruang Tedd, and Thailand Plaza, offers some Isaan dishes from Northeastern Thailand. Isaan dishes are similar to Laotian cuisine. Northern Thai cuisine, by contrast, reflects the influence of Burmese and Southern Chinese cuisine. In any event, none of the above-mentioned restaurants is exclusively Isaan. |