One of several "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants along 23rd Street, the Thai Smile hit the target for my concept of a great Thai dinner...delicious food, attentive service, pleasant surroundings and reasonable prices. Restful and smooth are the watchwords for the décor. The pastel colors in the small dining space blend with the brushed coppery colors in the floral tabletops. A raised platform at the main window elevates diners slightly above sidewalk level, and one table has curved half-walls to lend a bit of intimacy. A rounded bar balances at the back of the room the window platform.
An appetizer of Larb was a new experience for me. Seasoned ground chicken is served over fresh lettuce with Thai herbs and lime juice. The dish excited my tastebuds and truly served as an appetizer. As a standard of comparison, I always order green curry chicken at each new Thai restaurant I try. The Thai smile rose to the challenge with an excellent meal. They added green peas to their recipe, a new ingredient from the staple green curries I enjoy at other places. While a little leery at first, I enjoyed every last bite. The spiciness was just right to add to the dish without overpowering the more subtle tastes.
Service was rapid and attentive without being invasive. The Thai Smile clearly builds its repeat business on the strength of its cooking…and that works for me!