Tom Tom is located in the ultra-chic Westlake Village development on the border of Highland Park and Uptown. Weekend nights find the whole development PACKED with the Prada-flaunting upper-middle-class 20s set, dining on ruinously expensive food, shopping for ridiculously overpriced clothing, and sipping cocktails so expensive you have to take out a loan to take your boyfriend on a date. Parking can be a Herculean task, as well.
HOWEVER, amid this chaotic jungle of over-indulgence, there is a remarkeably cheap, remarkeably good Thai/Vietnamese noodle house! The decor is delightfully southeast Asian, with heavy influences of bamboo, and rocks in the bathroom sinks. The restaurant is small, with MAYBE 25 tables. Outdoor dining on the patio is delightful if the weather cooperates.
The really remarkeable think about this place is that NOTHING on the menu is over $12. And it's all REALLY REALLY GOOD! Start with cocunut crusted shrimp, or pan-seared dumplings with ponzu sauce. Or my personal favorite, seared calamari steak. It's unbearably tender with a lovely crust of black pepper, served with a ginger sauce. None of them over $7.
Main courses are varied, from Teriaki chicken bowls, to Bangkok seafood in a delightfully flavorful coconut curry broth. One of my personal favorites is the crispy roast duck served with green curried noodles. Nothing is over $12.
Have your meal with a steaming carafe of California saki for only $4, or have the authentic Japanese for $12. They have some delightful mixed drinks, as well as Japanese beer by the bottle.
Service was punctual, friendly, and "easy on the eyes!" I have heard that the food is not consistently superb, but every time I eat there I am impressed.
Tom Tom is quite simply an amazing spot. If you can find parking, go there. They're open until "late" on weekends, and I've dined there as late as midnight (unusual for Dallas). Go early or go late. Or get reservations. Go alone (there is single dining along the bar flanking the kitchen), go with a date for a romantic evening, or take a group and have a party. Tom Tom provides an extremely flexible dining experience, excellent cuisine, and delightful surroundings.