The food: You’ll find the usual Thai restaurant staples—lemongrass soup, green papaya salad, Penang curry, and pad Thai—at this outpost of the local chainlet (there are five other Sala Thais in the area). But aside from the satays and curries, there are cutesy creations such as the Pinky in a Blanket, which is shrimp wrapped in fried egg-roll skins, and Wild Chic, grilled chicken breast with asparagus and red curry. There are 22 vegetarian options available, including soups, appetizers, entrées, noodles, and fried rice.

The scene: A garden comes to mind when you first walk into the Clarendon branch of Sala Thai. It’s done up in shades of green, and tables are painted with leaves and inlaid with flowers. Natural light pours in during the day, and there’s an outdoor patio for when it’s warm.

What’s nearby: The restaurant is about four blocks from the Clarendon Metro stop (Orange Line) and just off the neighborhood’s main drag. More restaurants and bars, as well as major chain stores and boutiques, are within walking distance along Clarendon and Wilson boulevards.

Insider tip: The restaurant showcases live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights from about 7 to 10.