Located in a strip mall off U.S. 1, Siam City Thai & Sushi looked like a very ordinary storefront from the outside, almost like a takeout place. Yet we were pleasantly surprised by the inside. Dark wood trim around the ceiling was brightened by the sparkly coral-colored tables, giving the interior a cozy and lively atmosphere.
Christine and I were promptly greeted by one of the owners, the wife of the husband-and-wife ownership team, and shown to our seats, where drink orders were quickly taken. That gave us time to read the menu – several pages of Thai and Japanese food – over 250 selections – which included appetizers, salads, entrees, and sushi. There is also an extensive lunch menu – including bento boxes which are combinations of soup or salad, spring rolls and either sushi or an entrée.
As we were looking at the menu, the husband brought us two black bean patties with sauce to sample. He also shared the score of the current World Cup Soccer game with us, which was playing on a large TV over his work area – even though his native Thailand did not make it to the World Cup and indeed has never made it to the finals of that event.
We started by sharing two appetizers. The Thai Spring Rolls, 4 for 4.99, contained seasoned ground chicken and veggies, wrapped in crispy spring roll skins, and were served with plum sauce. We also enjoyed the Crispy Squid ($6.99), which were deep-fried and came with a sweet Thai chili sauce that provided a nice tang to the large rings of fried squid.
For her entrée, Christine ordered the Lobster Pad Thai. She expected pieces of lobsters in the traditional Pad Thai rice noodles and was pleasantly surprised to see it arrive with a whole lobster tail on the side of the noodles, which also had shrimp, bean sprouts, scallions and the ground peanuts which give the dish its special Thai flavor.
I ordered the Red Curry Seafood Combination for $23.99, the same price as Christine’s dish. It also included half a small lobster tail, scallops, squid, mussels, fish balls as well as bamboo shoots, broccoli, other vegetables, plus pineapple and basil in a red curry paste with coconut milk. The curry flavor was delicate and not overpowering, letting me enjoy the taste of all the different kinds of seafood in the large-size bowl.
Both dinners came with a choice of salad or miso soup. We both chose the salad, a plate of fresh greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and shredded carrots in a creamy ginger dressing.
Most entrees could be ordered with veggies, tofu, chicken, pork, beef, seafood, or a combination of meats or both. Choices included Thai curry, fried rice, pad thai, noodles. Boneless duck, shrimp and fish were also offered prepared in several ways.
Also on the menu were sushi, rolls, tempura, and fried rolls. Naruto, described as rolls wrapped in thinly sliced cucumbers, is a dish I might try the next time we visit there.
A modest selection of domestic beers and wines is available, as well as different kinds of Japanese sake. Beer imports include three classic Japanese brands and Singha from Thailand.
Our dinners, which were some of the signature dishes of the house, came to under $80 with tax and tip, including drinks and appetizers, but Siam City is not a high-priced restaurant. It is definitely possible to enjoy a nice dinner for a lot less.
The owners have been in business for about two-and-one-half years. Business could be better during week nights – only a couple of other tables were occupied when we arrived – but they hope that Sebastian diners will soon develop a taste for Thai cuisine, one of the fastest-growing ethnic cuisines in the country.
If you haven’t yet, by all means give Thai a try – and Siam City is the right kind of place to do it. In the first place, the menu explains in detail all the ingredients in every dish so you know what you’re eating, which could be important for first-timers or people not all that familiar yet with the cuisine from this unique and friendly Asian nation. Too shy to try Thai? The more familiar Japanese dishes will satisfy most palates, too.
And – who knows – the owner may even update you on the sports scores of the day if he likes you.
