LOCATIONIn Campbell Street, opposite Capitol Theatre
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIf it wasn’t for the constant queue leading past the Asian grocery store next door, you might not even know Chat Thai was there. The small doorway of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it eating house is crammed with diners at all hours, eagerly holding on to their allocated numbers as if a seat at Chat Thai is the equivalent of winning the lottery. The first Chat Thai restaurant opened almost 20 years ago, with Haymarket the most recent addition, opening its doors in 2007. But word is out and the place is packed. Those waiting for a table are entertained by the deft chefs in the front kitchen, as steaming woks propel tantalising aromas through the restaurant. Housed in the shell of a Victorian row house, the exposed brick and original louvres create an interesting juxtaposition to the modern artworks and Thai music that fill the interior. Attentive staff flutter through the sleek space, setting down bowls of food surprisingly soon after orders have been taken. Take a seat on the ground floor or follow the wooden floorboards upstairs to the loft level where you can watch the hubbub from a distance.
The ever-changing menu specialises in market food from different regions of Thailand, bridging the gap between takeaway and fine dining, and offering fresh and authentic fare at reasonable prices. Start with steamed wonton dumplings or gai satay, followed by the popular dtom saap, a spicy north-east equivalent to tom yum soup which fuses offal pork, lemongrass, galangal and roasted chilli for a mouth-watering combination. The bpla oapb gluia also comes highly recommended; fresh barramundi is stuffed with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, chargrilled and served with nam jim jeaw relish. Slurp on a lodt shong Singapore for a sweet finish and you’ll no doubt be joining the throngs in their praise.
Lauren Barker