Racha Noodles & Thai Cuisine

I'll never return. The decor is charming, but the food is mediocre and overpriced and the staff has to be told how to run a business. Go to any of the surrounding restaurants. They may not have neon or murals, but they all know how to treat their customers.

I was one in a party of 12 to go to Racha Thai before a 7:00 pm curtain at the ballet. We arrived at 5:15. It took a half hour to get water on the table.

By 6:00, most everyone was eating except for me. Our server wasn't seen again for almost a half hour. When he came to the table I asked him about my meal. He asked me what I ordered, and a look of panic came over his face. He never ordered my food. He didn't admit it. He didn't say anything. He left the table and wasn't seen until my food was ready.

Fifteen minutes later my food arrived with the bill. They had also forgotten the meal of the friend who invited me. Both his and my dishes were on the bill. My friend got up and spoke to our server to see about comping our meals. The server said he would go "talk to the manager" about it.

Our server came back to the table to inform me that he would give us a 20% discount on the two entrees. Three bites into my meal with 15 minutes to finish, I set my fork down, looked him in the eye, and said "That is no way to run a business."

I worked in hospitality for years. Early in my hospitality career, I forgot an entire meal or two. I promptly admitted my gaffe, and the meal was comped. I even suggested a free dessert.

When you are solely responsible for making someone late to the ballet, you give them their meal for free.

He came back and said that the 2 late entrees we taken from the bill.

Posted 04/28/07 | Report Abuse

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The Thai cuisine is nice, the atmosphere is authentic. They have Thai Karaoke, and since I'm not thai the odd sound of Thai pop music as sung by middle aged thai men as I devour my noodles in peanut sauce is perfectly enjoyable. The servers wear little outfits and toddle out in little footsteps like geishas. Overall an interesting place with great food.

Posted 11/29/05 | Report Abuse

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It's a little more pricier for Thai food, but the ambience, and interior, plus great taste, make up for it. The warm decor is neat, and chic. Food tastes great. It's a little more expensive for Thai food...dishes can go above 20.00, but there's still some affordables on the menu too. Definitely a treat! Also, service is awesome!

PROS: Service, food is awesome!
CONS: A little pricey for Thai food.

Posted 08/26/05 | Report Abuse

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I love the fact that their staff and employees dress in their traditional clothing. Also, some nights they have live bands there that play "authentic" music. Their food is superb and their dessert is the best!

Posted 06/28/05 | Report Abuse

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Racha has a great atmosphere and the trational-esqu uniforms ad an exotic flare. The food is good, but it's more fusion than strictly Thai. They have really good lunch deals that leave you almost too full to leave the table.

Posted 06/23/05 | Report Abuse

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The corporate appearance kinda takes away from the overall experience. I prefer the ma and pa places, but the food is good.

Posted 04/04/05 | Report Abuse

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This is truly one of my favorite Thai food restaurants. The food is delicious and the menu expansive. The abience is beautiful with wood carvings and thai decor. The only downside is that it is a little big loud because they kitchen is within view of the dining area which creates quite a bit of noise. The price is also a little high for the quantity of food you receive. They have great lunch specials but the dinner menu is a little pricey but well worth the special treat at times.

Posted 03/17/05 | Report Abuse

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When I am down in the lower Queen Anne area and want Thai food (say before a game or a play) this is my pick. They doubled the size of their space a couple of years ago, and so it is now a very large restaurant. The only downside to that is that I think the wait for the food has gotten longer. The usual menu options are there, but the food is very good. The tea selection is very nice, as they come to you in their own plunge pot / french press. This is the classiest Thai restaurant I have been to, not like the many little start-ups you may run into.

Posted 02/22/05 | Report Abuse

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This is a nice Thai restaurant. Servers wear traditional Thai attire, which is rather interesting. The food is satisfactory; noodles have nice flavor and the rice dishes are the best. The bar is pretty lively until late at night. All in all, it's a nice restaurant for Queen Anne, and one of the nicer Thai restaurants in Seattle.

Posted 01/25/05 | Report Abuse

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Phenomenal food. One of my all time favs especially for a late night date. It is quiet and relaxing, especially when the live band is going. Sit in the front of the restaurant for a particularly enjoyable time. Great happy hour appetizer menu as well.

Posted 01/21/05 | Report Abuse

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