Recently opened Box Thai, is a welcome addition to the Central dining scene, especially if you are fan of Thai food. The casual dining space serves food that ticks all the boxes: the food is flavourful, interesting choices, and some of the best value-for-money food in the area.

Box Thai is the latest restaurant from Concept Creations, the company behind Tapeo, Mrs Jones, and Frites. Although it hasn't been open for long it was jumping with satisfied diners on the weeknight we visited.

Big Bites

The menu at Box Thai is not extensive, it has all the usual dishes you expect at a Thai restaurant, plus some interesting creations. The menu is divided into Bites, Soup, Salad, Wok Noodle, Curry, Chef's Choice, Stir Fry, Rice, Sides, and Dessert.

From the Bites section we ordered Fried Calamari with Green Peppercorns, and Betel Leaves with Savoury Pork. The first thing that struck us when these dishes arrived was the size, instead of the small servings we expected for a dish described as a "Bite" it was in fact, almost as big as a main. And, at $55 and $45, respectively, is a bargain.

What about the taste? The calamari was sublime, cooked to perfection with hints of spice, presented with green peppercorns still on the vine and deep fried basil. It had great flavour depth, with elements of sweetness that balanced the spice and heat, and for me had all I look for in zippy, zinging Thai food. My dining companion, who is not a fan of calamari thought it was great. The peppercorns the key to the sparkle of this dish. I would definitely order it again.

The betel leaf dish was tasty and the leaves gave textural contrast, but personally I found the dish a bit too sweet.

We also ordered a classic Thai soup, Tom Yum with Seafood. Again the serving was large, almost a meal in itself. At first I thought that this soup was also too sweet, but once it cooled the flavours of lime leaf, galangal, chilli, lemon grass, and Thai basil, revealed themselves and I really enjoyed it. Again the seafood was cooked to perfection.

More Heat

From the Chef's Choice section we ordered the Barbecue Duck Breast with Ginger, Tangerine and Thai Spice, and from the Curry choices we ordered the Jungle Curry with Prawns.

The smokey duck, which was served on a bed of pea sprouts, with coriander and cucumber was moist and we could detect the ginger, but we were wondering what had happened to the tangerine sauce - it had strangely been placed on the plate first, followed by the sprouts etc and then the duck. It was only with curious investigation did we come across the sauce, which totally transformed the dish. I recommend dipping the unctuous duck in the sauce on the plate itself to experience the true greatness of this dish.

The Jungle Curry had three chillies next to it on the menu and so of course we were expecting something truly hot, it wasn't. As my friend said, his Chilli Mojito was hotter than the curry. Don't get me wrong it was a lovely, tasty Thai curry, with good flavours, but it did not have a three chilli kick. 

A New Taste Sensation

For dessert we were hoping to try the Palm Sugar Brulee, but it was all gone, so instead we went for another classic Thai dish, Sticky Rice with Mango. From the presentation to the taste this dessert was divine. The sticky rice (white and red) was wrapped in fresh mango and topped with toasted shavings of coconut and fresh mint, drizzled with coconut cream. A delightful, modern interpretation of a classic. We also discovered a wonderful new pairing - coconut and mint, a taste sensation that you won't soon forget.

Box Thai presents traditional cuisine in a modern way in a relaxed environment. The food has all the flavours it should to be called Thai food, yet the restaurant is putting its own modern stamp on dishes. The combination of decent servings of good food at great prices has already made this restaurant a hit since it first opened. If I lived or worked in the area I could see myself going there on a very regular basis, and I will certainly be popping in next time I am in the area.

Ambience, Service, Price

The large restaurant features wooden floors, seven big communal tables that can seat up to 12 persons, and counter seating along the window overlooking Arbuthnot Road. The wood and orange tones and the lighting above the tables gives the restaurant a warm ambience. Not a fan of the communal table I was pleasantly surprised to find that the size of the tables mean you can still have a semi-private dining experience, or if you choose you can interact with fellow diners, as many were doing. The restaurant does get rather noisy when full as people are chatting across a big space, with the sound amplified by the interior, but it gave the restaurant a unique buzz that I enjoyed. 

Authentically friendly, efficient and helpful is an apt description for the staff. They added to pleasurable dining with smiles that reminded me of being in Thailand.

The restaurant has a small selection of wines by the glass, Thai beer and cocktails. We tried the Lemongrass and Raspberry Martini and the Chilli Mojito (both $70). It also offers a take-away and home delivery service.   

As mentioned the prices at Box Thai represent value-for money. Bites: $45-55; Soup $50-60; Salad: $55-85; Wok Noodles: $55-75; Curry: $65-90; Chef's Choice: $125-175; Stir-Fry: $65-75.