Basil n’ Spice has an unassuming entrance at the back of a parking lot. From the outside, I was skeptical of the interior, but the ample parking thrilled me enough to suggest there would be something good behind that door.
The rooms are cleaner and more sophisticated than I expected. Inside, there is a simple, yet elegant, bar area with a few high-top chairs and two dining areas separated by a red pergola.
I decided to branch out beyond Pad Thai. I went back and forth for longer than I care to admit before boldly selecting a dish with a red chili pepper next to the title: Basil n’ Chili.
The protein options include chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp, duck, and a seafood combo. I went with shrimp and jasmine rice.
The dish arrived on an oblong platter with red and green bell peppers, onion, carrot, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, scallions and basil leaves with a very light sauce. The jasmine rice came on the side.
I added some rice and took my first bite.
The bottom of the menu indicated that one chili means ‘mild’. I am not so new to Thai food so I assumed mild meant medium. I was correct. Once I swallowed, the heat came. The spice was bold, but it was not overwhelming. I mixed in all the rice and drank at least eight glasses of water, but the heat brought all the flavors together in a great way.
The waiters were friendly, pleasant, and eager to serve. Whenever my water dropped below the last quarter of the glass, a server refilled it.
I would highly recommend Basil n’ Spice for dinner any day of the week. The place is a bit small and a lot of glassware is used so I’m not sure it would be a great choice for a family with small kids. Then again, it depends on how well behaved your kids are.
I will return to Basil n’ Spice to try their Pad Thai with my husband or a group of friends.
