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Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n’ Spice

Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n' Spice

Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n' Spice

Going into this Foodies event blind, I really didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t browsed the menu before arriving, but I trusted my fellow Foodie’s choice.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Basil n’ Spice is located behind Funky Murphy’s on Shrewsbury Street. A small front door led into a quaint dining area with a tucked-away, corner bar.

After reviewing the extensive menu of Thai staples, I decided to order a familiar dish so I could compare it to others I had tried. I went with the Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai, which includes mussels, squid, shrimp, and scallops. The perfectly cooked noodles come with egg, scallion, bean sprouts and basil doused in a spicy sauce. I chose a red chili sauce to kick up the heat to my preferred spice level.

The calamari and shrimp were bright and fresh. The mussels were served in half of their shell. There was plenty of seafood to go with every bite, however, I could have used a few more scallops. I only found two on my plate.

At the end of the night, I realized I did not have anything to bring home. To my surprise, I ate my entire dish! I didn’t have low expectations, but I haven’t had much Thai food. Overall, the Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai was comforting, hearty, and enjoyable.

The waiters managed a nice balance of attentiveness without being too overbearing. This is the exact type of service I love to have at a restaurant. It’s nice when waiters understand the need to check in periodically for refills and questions.

This casual spot is the perfect place to grab lunch, come for a date night, or bring a group of friends. If you’re looking for a delicious alternative to the norms that Shrewsbury Street provides, I would highly recommend Basil n’ Spice for a taste of Thailand in the heart of Worcester.

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Drunken Noodle from Basil N’ Spice

Drunken Noodle from Basil N' Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Drunken Noodle from Basil N' Spice on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Basil n’ Spice is tucked away in the back of Funky Murphy’s where Surya Indian Cuisine once was. I was very impressed with the remodeling. The low ceilings and old, outdated interior have been replaced with high ceilings, exposed brick, modern lighting and light-colored paint, which created a refreshing change. The bar area was beautiful–a great spot to grab drink.

We sat in the back at a long table where two waiters served us. They were courteous and quick. One of our waiters was actually an owner. She is a truly delightful woman. We could see that she takes pride in the food and enjoys running the restaurant.

It was difficult to decide what to order because there were so many appealing options.

To start, I ordered the Spring Fresh Rolls. These rice-paper wrapped rolls come with shrimp, lettuce, cucumber, carrot, fresh basil leaves and rice vermicelli along with peanut hoisin sauce. They arrived quickly and didn’t skimp on the shrimp, which I appreciated. The serving was enough for an appetizer although I would have enjoyed a bit more dipping sauce.

For dinner, I chose the Drunken Noodle. It’s a stir fried wide rice noodle with red and green bell peppers, carrots, onions, broccoli, and basil ‘n spicy sauce. I requested it extra hot.

It was a large portion–enough for two. I had never had this dish before and I found it delicious. I loved how the vegetables and tofu far outweighed the noodles. All of the vegetables were fresh too. The sauce tasted flavorful as well, but it was not spicy at all, which was disappointing because a hot chili displayed on the menu indicating heat. Plus I asked for it extra spicy. I will order this again and ask for it extra, extra, extra hot.

I can’t wait to return here for more Drunken Noodle and to try new menu items. Two highlights for me included seeing several vegetarian dishes and a responsive, pleasant staff. Plus the modern remodel made it a fun space to be in. I’ll definitely go back!