100 Best Restaurants 2008: Bangkok 54

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Dave McIntyre

No. 84: Bangkok 54

Bangkok 54

2919 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703-521-4070

Cuisines:
Thai

Opening Hours:
Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu:
General: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Fri,Sat:
General: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
None nearby

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Delivery, Party Space, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Price Details:
Appetizers $3.95 to $10.95; Entrees $6.95 to $12.95. Lunch special, $5.95.


 

Reader's Rating:
No Reader Reviews

Cuisine: Vibrant Thai cooking as stylish as it is substantive.

Mood: The gray-and-red palette, stone friezes, and recessed shelving holding silver Thai antiques all add up to the area’s chicest Thai eatery.

Best for: Diners seeking the buzz of downtown-DC dining without the parking hassle and crowds. Night owls can nosh in the new lounge till midnight weekdays and 1 am weekends.

Best dishes: Fiery roast-duck salad with a hit of lime; shrimp with Thai herbs deep-fried in a wonton wrapper; crispy pork with garlic-chili sauce and fried basil leaves; a delicious dish of tofu in dry sauce with basil and garlic; coconutty red duck curry; stir-fried watercress with black-bean sauce; steamed fish with chili and lemon; coconut ice cream.

Insider tips: Owner Nack Vorathiankul’s brothers make several trips a week to area markets to make sure the veggies and seafood in their mother’s cooking are fresh.

Service: ••