Tag: carrot

Posted on by

Basil n’ Spice Basil n’ Chili

Basil n' Chili from Basil n' Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Basil n' Chili from Basil n' Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

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.

Posted on by

Let’s Talk About Pad Thai

Pad Thai from Basil n Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Pad Thai from Basil n Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

As someone who works in downtown Worcester, I’ve driven by Basil n’ Spice countless times since it opened. To say I was excited I’d finally be trying it would be an understatement.

I love restaurant spaces that are tucked away and not overly conspicuous. This little nook blends the best of both worlds with a subtle location that is easy to spot from the hustle and bustle of Shrewsbury Street. Inside, the mixed-material walls (exposed brick and painted yellow walls) set a warm and welcoming tone.

On to the food. The menu was substantial with many authentic Thai dishes rather than unnecessary filler items. There were several appetizers I wanted to order, but I didn’t want to fill up before my meal.

I made up my mind before going to dinner that I would order one of the six curry dishes. I must confess, I heart curry–all varieties of curry. I am a lover of spice and heat too. But when I learned it was National Noodle Day, I broke down and opted for the Basil Pad Thai with chicken. What can I say? I’m a sucker for gimmicks.

You know that feeling of regret after your server walks away and you instantly think, “I’ve made a mistake. I wonder if there’s still time to change my order?” Yup, guilty as charged. Fortunately, my concerns were unfounded.

When my stir-fried plate of noodles came out and the aroma hit my nose, I knew I made the right call. The presentation was beautifully balanced with a lot of colors. This dish was a little spicy, but the menu indicated as such. It had perfect pockets of heat and just the right amount of fresh basil leaves cooked in.

Usually, Pad Thai is heavy, however, these rice noodles were pretty light. The sprinkle of peanut-crumble topping and the side of fresh red cabbage, carrot, and bean sprout slaw added a nice crunch. This was easily some of the best Pad Thai I’ve ever had.

The service team was very friendly and patient toward our big group. At least four servers waited attentively on us. My water glass never made it less than half-full–I’m more of a half-full than a half-empty person–and the wait time between ordering and receiving our meals was pretty quick.

The food was so delicious that I almost forgot to mention my cocktail. I am a red wine girl, but I decided to try something a little different: a Lychee Mojito. While it was a tad sweet for my palate, but all of the sugar paired perfectly with my meal.

I’ll definitely return to Basil n’ Spice… I still have six curry dishes to devour!