New KrungThai - San Jose
OVERALL
It took me a while to decide which one to review - the original or the new KrungThai? I don't even know if they are related - but I suspect it's some sort of bad case of sibling rivalry (KrungThai owners, perhaps you can clarify?). I decided to do the New KrungThai since it's the one that I go to more often now. There are TONS of Thai restaurants in the Valley, but very few have the same kind of sense for good food like KrungThai (both old and new).
FOOD
It's one of those places that you want to try everything - and they do seem to have EVERYTHING on their menu. We always order as many appetizers as entrees because they are so great - green papaya salad, angel wings, and shrinmp toasts are normally very good, followed by any kind of nice and spicy Tom Yum or Tom Kha (if you don't mind the intensive coconut milk taste). By the time I'm done with appetizers and soup, I'm normally full.
You need to be careful with the entrees here - some are really meant for non-Asians who like green pepper in everything they eat, but there are also delicious and interesting dishes that seem more authentic. Pla Jian (fried pampano covered in meat sauce) and Gum Poo Mor Din (crab claws in clay pot) are really inspiring (if you like to challenge your taste bud). Meat dishes are not that great - it's like I can cook better than in my kitchen. Avoid the curries except the duck in curry sauce, another intensely spiced dish.
Desserts are the pleasant surprise here - try the fried bananas and you know what I mean. It is clear that cooks here are serious about food as the bananas are meticulously fried, served hot and presented with high quality ice cream. The stick rice with mango belongs to the "advance" - Most East Asians would love it though. PadThai fans will like what they see here - although it doesn't taste that much better or different than some other decent places.
SERVICE
Don't expect top-notch service when the restaurant is packed and there are 100s of people waiting outside. Their primary concern is to get you finished with your food and out of there. The staff is generally professional and efficient although they don't go much beyond just that. Don't expect Thai-style hospitality there - try a less popular place if you want attractive young Thai waitress smiling at you.
AMBIENCE
The restaurant might be a remodeled American burger joint or something. It's modestly decorated with Thai art and craft, which is actually what I like about the Original KrungThai as well. I mean, I go there for food, not for 25 idols and animals staring at me. I must say that the Original KrungThai is decorated more tastefully though - this place is just a bit bland and it looks old even though it's new.
VALUE
Many many years ago, you'd walk out of this (and the original) place feeling like it was a great deal - best (well, along with a few others) Thai food in San Jose at acceptable price. Nowadays, with its popularity and the arrival of a Zagat sticker on the door, quantities have shrunk and prices have gone up. But what haven't gone up in price in the last few years? This is still a good place for a quality dinner at reasonable price, just no longer a bargain by any means.
BOTTOMLINE
There are simply too many Thai restuarants in the Valley for me to even bother to try them - I stick to the few that are consistently the most popular and best tasting. For very solid Thai food that actually taste Asian, this is a great place to visit. When it comes to authenticity, though, I'd have to leave it to the Thai people to comment on.
BTW
Did I say this place is popular? If you enjoy standing outdoor in a parking lot, come at 7pm without a reservation. If you call a week ahead, they'll give a table, any less time they'll tell you to go before 6pm or after 8pm. Actually, if you go right around 6pm, you'll be seated pretty quickly - and expected to get out of there just a quickly!
