EVERETT – In three days, we received just as many e-mails and phone calls recommending that we visit Zab Thai, which is in the same strip mall as the extremely popular 112th Street Diner and across the street from the Boeing Credit Union.
Most of the Herald readers leaving messages had stumbled on Zab Thai by accident and were delightfully surprised because of the beautifully decorated dining area and excellent Thai dishes with a Pacific Northwest twist.
The Saturday night my friend and I visited, the restaurant was filled with couples who looked like they were out on dinner dates, except for the party of five seated under the palm roof in the rear, who were celebrating a birthday.
The palm-trimmed roof is one of many captivating decorating touches. Just inside the door there’s a dramatic waterfall with immense floral arrangements of orchids and bird of paradise blooms. Murals portraying scenes from Thailand lift your eyes above the entryway and along interesting angles created by offset walls. Intricate embroidered and sequined wall hangings and latticework beautify the hall and walls.
Tabletop candles and intense overhead spotlights create an intimate glow across the wooden tables set with white china and flatware from Thailand. Most of the tables are set for two and we were immediately greeted and led to one near the window that overlooks the traffic on Evergreen.
The restaurant’s menu is divided into appetizers, soups, salads and entrees plus noodles, rice, grilled and curry dishes and chef specials. The lunch menu is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and any of the dinner selections can be ordered at lunch.
One of the Herald readers who recommended Zab Thai ordered the Moonlight Grilled halibut ($15.95), which is one of the more expensive items on the menu. The halibut is seasoned with garlic, ginger and yellow bean sauce and our reader described it as “superb.”
I couldn’t pass up the grilled salmon steak in panang curry sauce with shredded Thai ginger, lime leaves, bell pepper and basil ($15.95). I added a side of jasmine rice ($1). My friend selected one of his standing favorites garlic chicken ($8.95). I also requested an order of chicken Pad Thai ($8.95) for us to split. The Pad Thai was a hearty serving of steaming-hot rice noodles with bits of egg and chicken, plus fresh bean sprouts, carrot strips and basil leaves to add crunch. It was delicious, as were the fresh rolls we had as an appetizer, although the rolls didn’t knock our socks off like we anticipated.
That happened with our entrees.
My main dish was so good I wanted to lick the curry sauce off the banana leaf under the salmon steak. My dinner partner described his garlic chicken as the best he’s had in the last five years. That’s because he loves garlic, and garlic isn’t a walk-on ingredient in Zab’s rendition: Garlic is the main event, with chicken in a supporting role.
No wonder this restaurant’s a date destination great food and a romantic atmosphere despite its unromantic location.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
Contact Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com.
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