I hope not. I love Thai food and find Tara Thai to have lowered the bar as they have expanded. there is one within walking distance of our house and we drive to Sala Thai or others in the area
I noticed a few weeks ago that something had gone terribly wrong at my (formerly) sll-time favorite Thai place, Bangkok Garden. New management, new cook. The food was bland and tasteless. Service-- never BG's strong suit-- certainly did not improve. It's a pity. I guess BG was too good to last.
First the bad news. I've confirmed that the Columbia branch of Bangkok Garden has been sold. I went to the Bethesda location for dinner this evening and spoke with the owners. I was told that the new owners of the Columbia location are Tarin Thai, (not Tara Thai- sorry about that), out of Virginia. According to the previous owners, the new owners have been granted the right to use the Bangkok Garden name for about 6months; after that time, they will have to change the restaurant's name.
Now for the good news. Bethesda isn't that far away. Bangkok Garden remains open in their original location in Bethesda at4906 St.Elmo Ave., between Old Georgetown Rd and Norfolk Ave. (301-951-0670) There is no onsite parking, only street ($1/hour meters) and garage. The menu is the same, along with some additional dishes that were not on the Columbia menu. The food, of course, was great!
And, last but not least, all of the familiar faces from Columbia, along with the chef, have moved over to Bethesda. I'd been a regular patron at the Columbia location for many years, and when I walked through the Bethesda restaurant's door, I was greeted with hugs and smiles. The warm welcome extended to me definitely made up for the extra travel time.
OK, so I'll have to drive a little further, but for food this good, and people this nice, it's worth it.
I love comments -- especially comments that specifically recommend dishes or items to buy. Tell people what you like and why. If you can, please don't leave it as "anonymous." Just choose "name/URL" below, type in a nickname and leave the URL part blank. I like following people's comments even if I don't know your name.
I hope not. I love Thai food and find Tara Thai to have lowered the bar as they have expanded. there is one within walking distance of our house and we drive to Sala Thai or others in the area
ReplyDeleteI noticed a few weeks ago that something had gone terribly wrong at my (formerly) sll-time favorite Thai place, Bangkok Garden. New management, new cook. The food was bland and tasteless. Service-- never BG's strong suit-- certainly did not improve. It's a pity. I guess BG was too good to last.
ReplyDeleteIf BG goes down hill, whats the next best place?
ReplyDeleteI loved the Southern Duck at BG. Maybe Bangkok Delight? I always thought they were decent but overpriced.
First the bad news. I've confirmed that the Columbia branch of Bangkok Garden has been sold. I went to the Bethesda location for dinner this evening and spoke with the owners. I was told that the new owners of the Columbia location are Tarin Thai, (not Tara Thai- sorry about that), out of Virginia. According to the previous owners, the new owners have been granted the right to use the Bangkok Garden name for about 6months; after that time, they will have to change the restaurant's name.
ReplyDeleteNow for the good news. Bethesda isn't that far away. Bangkok Garden remains open in their original location in Bethesda at4906 St.Elmo Ave., between Old Georgetown Rd and Norfolk Ave.
(301-951-0670) There is no onsite parking, only street ($1/hour meters) and garage. The menu is the same, along with some additional dishes that were not on the Columbia menu. The food, of course, was great!
And, last but not least, all of the familiar faces from Columbia, along with the chef, have moved over to Bethesda. I'd been a regular patron at the Columbia location for many years, and when I walked through the Bethesda restaurant's door, I was greeted with hugs and smiles. The warm welcome extended to me definitely made up for the extra travel time.
OK, so I'll have to drive a little further, but for food this good, and people this nice, it's worth it.