LOCATIONRight in the heart of Fitzroy on the corner of Johnston and Brunswick Streets.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThe quality of Thai Thani’s cuisine has seen it stand the test of time since it opened more than 20 years ago. It’s an unassuming little restaurant, rather dark and nondescript so that you might miss it, yet almost always the tables are crowded and there is a queue of people waiting for takeaway. Perhaps it’s because the chefs here don’t pull the Western card when it comes to flavour – you won’t find any watered-down versions here, but rather authentic dishes that are full of the hot, sour and spicy tastes of classic Thai cuisine.
Signature dishes here are the excellent hot and sour tom yum goong, tangy larp gai (minced chicken salad with chilli, lemongrass, lime and mint) and panang curry. Thai Thani make all their own curry pastes, so the red and green curry dishes are laced with intricate flavours and are hot enough to bring a healthy sweat to your brow, or try the pla ob sa-mun-prai – rockling fillets served in a clay pot with lemon juice, fish sauce, chilli, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and fresh basil leaves. There are many vegetarian and gluten-free options available, and the banquets are also good value. Bringing your own wine also helps make for a reasonably priced Thai repast, and there are plenty of Asian beers available to cool any lingering burning sensations.
Angela Costanzo, February 2009