Thai X-ing has consistently been rated as one of the best Thai restaurants in DC. It has been touted by critics all across the city as exceptional. And, yet, I had never been. They serve a vegetarian prix fixe menu on Sundays and Tuesdays, which aren't typical nights that I eat out in DC. So, when my good friend told me she was moving to Amsterdam and we had only Sunday to get together, I suggested we go to Thai X-ing!
At this time, their Florida Avenue location, which I believe was the original location, was closed. So, we made a reservation for 6 p.m. at the 9th Street location. When I arrived, they had just opened and they let me know right as I walked in that there was no meat tonight. Yes, I know.
They seated me at a table on the top floor by the window. I was surprised at how little English the servers spoke. I let them know I was vegan and they assured me it was all vegetarian. Right, but I want to be sure it is vegan. Sigh. I just had to trust that someone understood me.
We both ordered glasses of wine and immediately food showed up. They brought out several dishes at a time. This continued throughout the prix fixe meal.
It started with a spicy soup, which was quite tasty.
Along with the soup were two salads--a noodle salad and a rice salad with black bean sauce. Both salads were good, but not mindblowingly so. I was already disappointed. Not only was I disappointed with the dishes, but also at the lack of good service. Bringing four dishes out to people at a time and waiting for us to finish, only to bring the next round of dishes is not exquisite service by any means. I felt like they couldn't wait for us to eat and get out.
Next, came a dry tofu salad that was meh.
There was a pumpkin curry wrapped in some sort of leaves that was outstanding.
There was a pineapple and taro root dish that was fine.
And a Pad Thai that was, well, boring.
Finally, the sticky rice and mango came out and that was good, but it's always good...at like every Thai restaurant.
Honestly, I find it hard to even write this review because they brought things out so quickly and said what everything was very quickly, then walked away--it was hard to catch the names of the dishes we were eating.
I guess I should have known as I was initially put off by the email confirmation of my reservation that stated that they expected me out of there by 7:20 p.m. for a 6 p.m. reservation. That's insane.
For $30 per person plus tax and tip, you get a crapload of food. Some of it is good, some of it isn't, and one thing (the pumpkin curry) is outstanding. None of it warrants a high tip for service though. And I enjoy my dinners at other Thai restaurants where you aren't served way too much food, the servers speak English, and where I feel welcome to take my time and enjoy my dinner company. Not recommended.
Thai Xing
2020 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-43222
At this time, their Florida Avenue location, which I believe was the original location, was closed. So, we made a reservation for 6 p.m. at the 9th Street location. When I arrived, they had just opened and they let me know right as I walked in that there was no meat tonight. Yes, I know.
They seated me at a table on the top floor by the window. I was surprised at how little English the servers spoke. I let them know I was vegan and they assured me it was all vegetarian. Right, but I want to be sure it is vegan. Sigh. I just had to trust that someone understood me.
We both ordered glasses of wine and immediately food showed up. They brought out several dishes at a time. This continued throughout the prix fixe meal.
It started with a spicy soup, which was quite tasty.
Along with the soup were two salads--a noodle salad and a rice salad with black bean sauce. Both salads were good, but not mindblowingly so. I was already disappointed. Not only was I disappointed with the dishes, but also at the lack of good service. Bringing four dishes out to people at a time and waiting for us to finish, only to bring the next round of dishes is not exquisite service by any means. I felt like they couldn't wait for us to eat and get out.
Next, came a dry tofu salad that was meh.
There was a pumpkin curry wrapped in some sort of leaves that was outstanding.
There was a pineapple and taro root dish that was fine.
And a Pad Thai that was, well, boring.
Finally, the sticky rice and mango came out and that was good, but it's always good...at like every Thai restaurant.
Honestly, I find it hard to even write this review because they brought things out so quickly and said what everything was very quickly, then walked away--it was hard to catch the names of the dishes we were eating.
I guess I should have known as I was initially put off by the email confirmation of my reservation that stated that they expected me out of there by 7:20 p.m. for a 6 p.m. reservation. That's insane.
For $30 per person plus tax and tip, you get a crapload of food. Some of it is good, some of it isn't, and one thing (the pumpkin curry) is outstanding. None of it warrants a high tip for service though. And I enjoy my dinners at other Thai restaurants where you aren't served way too much food, the servers speak English, and where I feel welcome to take my time and enjoy my dinner company. Not recommended.
Thai Xing
2020 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-43222
I like this place somewhat more than you do, but in the 5 times I've been there I've never had the food shoved at me so fast. The pacing was always fine. I wonder why they did that.
ReplyDeleteThey were doing this with every table!
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