Lai-Thai Restaurant

When I need my fix I go here...their Phad Thai is amazing! I'm a little disappointed that their prices went up and quantity went down, so that's why I say "fix", because I can no longer afford to eat here as often as I did. I even went as far as to boycott them for their changes, but I just couldn't stay away...it's still worth it :)

Pros: Great customer service, yummy thai, nice location

Cons: Pricey and they made their quantities smaller :(

Posted 08/05/09

I've been to this restaurant twice now and both times the food has been good, but service is so slow that it becomes irritating and trumps the food quality. We waited quite awhile for our food. We had to ask twice for chopsticks. We waited over 15 minutes for the waitress to figure out how to split our check. You can tell by looking around that you're not the only table playing the waiting game. At least this time there were two waitresses; the first time I went there was one waitress for all tables. Good food and menu options (I like the Crab Delight appetizers), but only go if you're not in a hurry and are a very patient person! I don't think I'll ever dine-in again, but I may get take-out if I'm in the neighborhood.

Pros: Good menu, good food

Cons: Slow service, hard to find nearby parking at times

Posted 04/01/08

Okay, if you're in Kirkland and you want Thai food this is the place to find it. In my opinion it is better than the joint by QFC in Parkplace. But......is it me or is the food never as hot as i order it? I like my Thai food hot, and in most places when i order 5 stars i can't handle the heat, but at Lai Thai ordering 4 or 5 stars seems like ordering 2 or 3. All i am saying is the food is good, but make sure you ask for the side of peppers and hot sauces if you like it hot.

Posted 07/25/07

What a find! This little gem on the eastside is a great place for lunch or dinner. This is the best Thai we have had on the eastside! The quiet, candlelit decor is great for dinner chat or dates. In the shopping area of downtown Kirkland and surrounded by neat shops and galleries, this restaurant offers a large variety of dishes spiced exactly as requested and delicious every time. Service is friendly and prompt.

Surrounded by interesting shops and galleries the location is quaint and fun. Add that to good food and you have a winner! We keep going back!

Pros: Great food and service; Very good menu selection; Reasonalbe Prices; Casual Dress; Candlelit Setting; Good location - near Lake Washington and shopping

Posted 12/30/06

My husband and I have been eating at Lai-Thai ever since moving to the area. We lived in Bellevue when we first found this extraordinary Asian food. Now we live in Sammamish and continue to travel all the way to Kirkland to have our Thai. I love that I can customize my order by asking for additional ingredients to be added to my curry. The wait staff have always been charming to us so I am somewhat perplexed by any negative comments. I have never been refused any time I have asked for an additional veggie to be added or when a substitution was requested - exemplary service always for us.

This is definitely a place we take our out of town guests to visit. Asian friends and southern friends alike have thanked us for the introduction! In summary, the food is the best Thai we have had in Seattle or Atlanta! Good food, nice ambiance, and cordial service always remind us of why we are willing to drive the extra miles. GO see for yourself - you 'll be glad you did! Tell them Sky sent you!

Pros: Delicious Food, Nice atmosphere, Good service, Flexible Chef

Posted 11/11/06

I have to wonder if some of the other reviewers who prominently suggest alternative, nearby Thai restaurants are being a bit disingenous (to say the least). It seems utterly perplexing that Lai Thai can be accused of "inconsistency," because that's their strong point. I've been dining there at least a couple of times per month since they opened and have never received anything less than the best phad thai in the greater Seattle area. The quality and consistency standards are absolutely first rate; this is a place that does NOT cut corners. If you had a bad experience there, give them another chance. If the same bad thing happens twice, I've gotta believe it's you.

Pros: Consistently-great Thai food

Cons: Finding free parking can be a bit challenging, for those who don't want to walk

Posted 10/22/06

My boyfriend and I decided to go to Lai-Thai last night - we walked into the place and waited.. and waited... and waited!! The waitstaff NEVER acknowledged us, not for a whole five minutes! Not a nod, not a 'I'll be right with you,' nothing! One particular waitress kept serving people water or taking orders, but not once did she look in our direction. Another couple walked in a few minutes after us, as we were leaving (deciding we weren't willing to look like fools standing there without any service) and we wished them luck getting service. Five minutes later, as my boyfriend and I walked the strip and passed by Lai-Thai again, the couple was STILL there, and the guy looked at us through the window and threw his hands up in the air in disgust - they couldn't get any service either! I will never, ever try and go there again.

So we walked down to THIN PAN thai restaurant and had an absolutely delicious, intimate dinner where service was great and responsive. DON'T go to Lai-Thai, they don't deserve the rating they have on citysearch!!

Pros: Um.. didn't get the chance

Cons: Zero service, rude waitstaff

Posted 10/21/06

Okay, so upon recommendation of a couple friends, we went here for dinner. It's not the worst Thai food I've had but I've definitely had better. They make their dishes too sweet and when you try to get spicy, it's not spicy. My brother ordered the beef salad with 4 stars and after having that, he ordered the spicy shrimp salad and had it 8 stars. I tried it, and it was MAYBE medium spicy (if that). It's okay Thai food, but we're not going back there again.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food, service, price

Posted 10/16/06

We have walked down to our favorite Thai restaurant at least a dozen times in the last year. Each time, without fail, our food was delicious and the service outstanding. I cannot imagine where "ridiculously inconsistant" was eating or what they were eating, but it certainly could not have been at Lai Thai. We spent a month in Thailand, eating the exact same wonderful food every single day, only to return and walk down to Lai Thai for more of the very same food. I suspect a very jealous rival wrote the bad review.

Pros: EVERYTHING was great, food, service

Cons: NOTHING was bad at all

Posted 07/12/06

We went here because we heard it was the best Thai place on the Eastside. The dishes were small and watered down, service was so-so. We'll continue our quest for a great Thai restaurant.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Average food

Posted 07/02/06

In contrast to the other Thai restaurants on the Eastside this one falls a bit below average. The ambiance is good and the furnishings are great - imported from Thailand. The food quality is average - below average portions mixed with an abundance of vegetables. The one good quality is the owner - she is friendly and quite cute ;-)

Posted 04/03/06

I have no idea what "Ridiculously Inconsistent" is talking about. The service has always been prompt and the prices are reasonable. As for the quality of the food, for the past month, it has been great! There are times where the portions are way too much for lunches. Unlike another thai restaurant on Lakeshore, your meals arrive in less than 30 minutes. It's a great place to bring clients to.

Pros: service, food, prices

Cons: chef changes in Feb

Posted 03/10/06

We have ordered food from Lai Thai on several occasions, and it is almost always terrible, to the point where my husband and I throw our meals away after about 10 bites. There has been a couple of times where it was some of the best I've ever eaten, so we continued to give it a chance. The majority of the time, the food has been disappointingly bad to the point of being inedible, and over-priced. We have regretted ordering from there too many times - we will not be ordering from there again.

Cons: Expensive, Inconsistent

Posted 02/21/06

The Spring Rolls are light, refreshingly flavorful as are the other appetizers. The atmosphere authentic, and the service is fantastic. Sweet smiles and gracious hosting, as Phad-thai comes out, and it is exquisite. Heavenly beef, Chicken Satay just marvelously done. A bit of authenticity and fantastic flavors await you only to be pleasantly surprized by the reasonable price. No wonder Lai-Thai is widely viewed as the East Side's best Thai restaurant. You will be delighted.

Pros: Exquisite Food, Excellent Service, Great Price

Posted 06/25/05

THe food is incosistant and the service is terrible. The seating is usually pretty prompt but the portions are small and cheap (ie the more expensive ingredients are almost non existant in the meal). If you do encounter problems with the meal it is likely that the problems will not be fixed and if they are you will encounter attitude and snears. If you want good Thai food, and good service go to any of the other thai places in Kirkland.

Posted 06/03/05

Wonderful, delicious sauces flavor their dishes - not too sweet as at many others. If you don't see a favorite on the menu, just ask. They are very accomodating. The eggplant was cooked perfectly, and the massaman curry and the phad woon sen (not on menu) was wonderful. The prices are very reasonable. It hasn't been discovered yet, so there is usually plenty of room especially in the winter because of their downtown Kirkland location.
Lai Thai is the best Thai around.

Posted 08/26/04

In my opinion, Lai-Thai is the best Thai restaurant on the Eastside. The staffs are warm, courteous, respectful and the food is absolutely wonderful. My kids also enjoy there since the staffs are very friendly to kids. I recommend this restaurant to everyone I know or meet and they all come away happy.

Pros: Authentic, Kids Friendly, Affordable

Posted 06/12/04

I've eaten at Lai-Thai about once a week since they have opened last summer. In every instance, I've been more than pleased with every dish and personal service. The authentic Thai decor and atmostphere is splendid and the food is excellent. My recommendation...Lai-Thai for great Thai food!

Pros: Authentic, Warm Service

Posted 06/12/04

I really loved the food here. THe whole experience was great. The service was attentive. The Phad Thai and spring rolls were great. And the best part is if you order it spicy you will get it spicy. And the mango with sticky rice was perfect. I am definitely planning on going back here again and again.

Pros: great parking, awesome food, good value

Posted 04/04/04

I live in Seattle and often drive into Kirkland just to eat at Lai-Thai. The food is awesome and more than worth the trip. As other reviewers have pointed out, the service is a little slow, but that's just because the restaurant has a small staff and they're overworked. All the staff is friendly and they'll do their best to make your meal great. I've never been disappointed all the times I've gone.

Pros: Good location, Reasonably Priced, Great Food

Cons: Slow service

Posted 10/27/03

The food at Lai Thai is great and very affordable. My favorite meal includes the shrimps in a blanket and chicken fried rice. If you want good Thai food, head to Lai Thai.

Posted 10/08/03

Well-executed dishes in the best Thai dining environment on the Eastside. A nice plus is that you have the option to dine alfresco on the patio and people-watch!

Pros: Ambience, Authentic, Nice presentation

Cons: Parking (use library)

Posted 10/06/03