I would have to say the Racha Thai is the perfect example of never to judge a book by its cover. When I went into the plaza where this restaurant resides, I first wondered if I was in the right location because it just didn’t seem right. Then I spotted the restaurant front, that looked like a converted Chinese food takeout place, with a few booths and tables in the lobby, and I started to worry. However, upon entering and turning the corner, you are welcomed by a much larger and comfortable dinner space with customary Thai decorations, sculptures and art. My worries were put to rest, but I still had my reservations about how the food might be. After looking over their large menu, I decided on the Spicy Ocean. This dish was a mixed assortment of sauteed shrimp, scallops, squid, and an assorted vegetable medley in a curry sauce, served on a bed of mussels with a side of white rice, for just $12.95. When my meal came to the table, I was pleasantly surprised at the huge portion that I was given, my plate almost overflowing with seafood and creamy curry sauce. Upon tasting it, my mouth was awakened by the spicy curry. It had great flavor while not being overpowering and taking over the entire dish. The different seafood was a great compliment to the spiciness of the meal. The shrimp were tender, while the scallops were sweet, and the squid was even done in a tempura style that gave them a nice crunch and textural contrast to the rest of the meal. The one down side that I would mention was that I did not like the addition of pineapple chunks to the dish. It may just be a personal preference, but they just seemed out of place in the meal. They could have been to offset the spice with a little bit of sweet, but it just wasn’t doing it for me. Overall, I would go back to this restaurant, especially if I was craving something spicy in large portions…although a little out of the comfort zone, but definitely worth the try! -ED
