Disgusting Pad Thai
DESCRIPTION: I usually get my Pad Thai from [another restaurant]. However, I happend to be in the vicinity of Bangkok One's restaurant today and took a chance and ordered. The shrimp in it were stale, the sauce lacked a lot of taste and it was overloaded with bean sprouts, which makes the dish much more tangy than it should be. I'd say skip this place and go somewhere else.
DATE: 2003-07-14
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : None

Snob Factor 10, Satisfaction 0.
DESCRIPTION: We regularly dine out in the DC metro area and have frequented numerous Thai establishments (from the pricey to the dicey). We like to do our research prior to dining, and as such we'd read rave reviews of Rice from Corina Lothar (The Washington Times), Tom Sietsema (The Washington Post) and Aaron Fynn (The Washington Blade). Dining out several times every week, Thai is a staple of our diet. We know a good Thai restaurant, and Rice is not one. - The Noise: While the limited space and spartant furnishings give Rice a zen-like decor, they also result in extremely poor acoustics. When you combine a large crowd packed into a small space with bare walls (which amplify sound), the result is a roar which drowns out any hint of the classical guitar music Washington Post Food Critic Tom Sietsema cited as contributing to "the restaurant's Zenlike mood." Zen is peaceful and tranquil. Rice is not. - The Wait: Roughly 45 minutes. It took 20 minutes standing at the bar just to get drinks. At that time, we ordered and paid for an appetizer which never materialized. When the hostess came to seat us, I informed her that we would need to have our appetizer delivered to our table. The manager, however, overheard the conversation and pointedly informed us that we would have to re-order the item from our waitress. It seems our original order (placed 20 minutes into our wait and 25 minutes prior to our seating) had never been submitted to the kitchen. - The Portions: Simply put, the size of the servings at Rice are indirectly proportional to the cost. While the food presentation is artisticly zen in its simplicity, we were left hungry and unimpressed. Snob factor = 10. Satisfaction factor = 1. - The Flavors: Of the three entrees and four appetizers we sampled, none really stood out. While the inappropriately named Crab Dip (nothing more than crab meat with a hint of flavor) had a pleasantly spicy bite, the chicken in the Chicken Satay was on the dry side. The shrimp in the Shrimp Salad was overcooked and thus extraordinarily chewy. As for the Spring Rolls, I'm thoroughly confused how they ended up in the "Healthy Green" section of the menu. They are nothing more than tightly rolled tubes of fried phillo dough. If there was a filling involved, it was left in the kitchen. While the Fried Chicken with Crispy Lemongrass was sufficiently tender and pleasant, the portion was more appropriate for an appetizer menu item. The Chicken Pad Thai was a saving grace, not because it was exceptionally tastey but rather because it was just like every other Chicken Pad Thai we've ever had. - The Management: In one word, RUDE. While it was obvious that the restaurant was extremely busy, ALL restaurants get extremely busy during peak hours. Having worked over a decade both in the front and back of the house as both staff and management, I understand the pressures involved. The management, however, cannot afford to be rude to guests. When we inquired about getting an itemized check (to clarify a billing error involving the purchase of an appetizer and drinks incurred during our 45 minute wait), the manager stomped off in an obviously annoyed huff. Upon his return, he threw the check onto the table. He proceeded to pound the table with his pointer finger, pronouncing in an authoritarian manner that we had not been double charged for the item in question. "SEE!" he exclaimed. Such charm and grace. - The Staff: The only place for praise at Rice is with the wait staff. It's not that they're exceptional, but it was obvious that they're doing the best that they can with what they've been provided. Our waitress swiftly addressed our requests and was polite throughout our dining experience (in stark contrast to the manager's demeanor). Final thoughts... If you can even find Rice, avoid it. To dine at Rice is to waste your money, your time, and your patience. If you've got your heart set on being seen in a trendy new "hotspot," Rice is an excellent choice. It is regularly packed with a young, chic Dupont Circle crowd. If, however, you desire excellent Thai fare at a reasonable price with generous portions, check out Thai Pilin. While it's not downtown DC, its two locations in Falls Church and Tysons Corner consistently combine excellent service with outstanding flavor.
DATE: 2004-03-06
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Pad Thai

Great New Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Fantastic Thai food with a nouvelle twist. Perfectly sized portions, for normal sized people. Good neighborhood ambience and attentive prompt service. Highly recommended.
DATE: 2004-07-23
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : eggplant appertizer

Best Thai I've Ever Had
DESCRIPTION: Expecting little, but wanting Thai, I tried this off-the-beaten path restaurant by Capitol South Metro, where I usually defer to some BullFeathers. What an amazing surprise! This restaurant serves the best Thai food I have ever tasted and they deliver! What a gem on Capitol Hill.
DATE: 2004-08-08
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Pad Thai

Best Thai in downtown!
DESCRIPTION: You'll love this place. It's got a cozy atmosphere, wonderful service, and great food. My favorite dish is Pad Thai - shrimp in noodles with a sweet Thai sauce. Whether you eat in our out, the food's presentation is superb. The meals are great.
DATE: 2003-07-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Pad Thai, Panang Gai, Ka Prow -- everything is great!

Crispy Fish
DESCRIPTION: The food here is delicious. Delicate yet packing a nice punch of flavors. I totally love their crispy fish with the dark sauce. It gives you a nice buzz.
DATE: 2004-03-12
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Fried Calamari, Chicken and Hot Peppers