Algonquin's Ta Wan Thai impresses with wide-ranging menu, efficient service
Northwest suburban diners are discovering a new outlet for authentic Thai cuisine at Ta Wan Thai Restaurant in Algonquin's Algonquin Commons.
The year-old Thai restaurant is relatively small, seating about 50. But it impresses with a wide-ranging menu. The 75 dishes cover a lot of ground, including popular standards like chicken satay served on skewers with peanut sauce; papaya salad; spicy tom yum soup; and pad thai with a choice of chicken, beef, pork or tofu - or a combination thereof.
What's more, Ta Wan has its act together and offers congenial, efficient service. Another important plus: its prices are equitable.
Starters go for $3.95 to $6.95; noodle and stir-fry dishes start at $9.95 and top out in the midteens, while soups and salads are priced in the single digits. For special entries such as garlic salmon, lemon grass chicken or deep-fried red snapper fillet with red curry paste in brown sauce and topped with crispy basil, expect to pay $13.95 to $24.95.
The family-friendly establishment, which occupies space that once housed the short-lived Aladdin Mediterranean Grill, accepts reservations, and customers can order food online for pickup or delivery. A few photographs and some artwork depicting scenes of Thailand hang on the walls and above the stone fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the contemporary restaurant in light.
A recent early Friday night dinner found the place uncrowded. Popular oldies music played in the background a little too obtrusively for our taste.
The meal started with a shared shrimp and vegetable spring roll. Light on the shrimp but heavy on the shredded lettuce, the appetizer was wrapped in soft rice paper and accompanied by a pleasant sweet-and-sour sauce.
Duck red curry, one of several duck options, followed, and it underscored the kitchen's know-how in handling this complicated dish. The duck meat, cut into segments, was perfectly roasted, and the curry added the desired level of heat (from four levels). The flavors worked well with the plated cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, pineapple chunks, basil and accompanying white rice.
My dining partner gave high marks to the pad woon sen: a cellophane noodle dish served in a brown sauce with tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, egg, baby corn and celery. The generous portion wasn't a problem; it was boxed up in short order for the following day's lunch.
Among the dessert possibilities, deep-fried ice cream covered in a butter cake was a contender. But sticky black rice cooked with coconut milk and paired with a warm Thai custard won out.
Ta Wan doesn't serve alcohol. Beverage service includes coffee, juice and various soft drinks as well as tempting Thai iced coffee or Thai iced tea.
<i>Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.</i>
Ta Wan Thai Restaurant
1644 S. Randall Road, Algonquin, (224) 241-6010,
Cuisine: Traditional Thai
Setting: Casual space in Algonquin Commons
Prices: Appetizers: $3.95 to $6.95; noodle/stir fry: $9.95 to $14.95; special entrees: $13.95 to $24.95; dessert: $3.50 to $5.50
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
Also: Reservations; order online for pickup or local delivery ($30 minimum order; $3 to $5 fee)