TASTE OF THAI SELECT: Pattaya

Nestled in the heart of the Beaches area of Toronto almost as far east as you can go on Queen Street is Pattaya restaurant, an unassuming and cozy Thai restaurant serving up authentic Thai favourites in its clean and modern interior. Located at 2326 Queen Street East in Toronto this place offers great value and atmosphere.

In business for almost two years, owner Jason came to Canada after working as an industrial designer in Thailand and decided to combine his love of design and interior decorating with a passion for Thai food to create this unique spot serving delicious and healthy meals to the locals.

Because of its location, Pattaya is only open for dinner, but on the weekends the place gets so busy that they recommend making reservations. They also offer take-out and delivery in the Beaches area so if you're not in the mood to eat out, you can have authentic Thai cuisine at home.

Thai Iced Tea

A favourite amongst Thai people and foodies alike, Thai iced tea is a super sweet cold drink made with tea and condensed milk. It's extremely refreshing and a great way to get yourself in the mood for a Thai meal.

Shrimp Chips and Peanut Sauce

We started with some shrimp chips, which were freshly made and served with a lovely peanut dipping sauce. They were light and crispy and went perfectly with the sauce.

Squash Fritters

A unique dish served in a unique dish! The squash fritters are slightly reminiscent of an Indian pakora but a lot lighter tasting and less oily. Simply break some off with your fork and dip it in the sauce served around the edge.

Pineapple Fried Rice

This Thai favourite is also one of my favourites when looking for a light and fresh tasting meal. The rice was served with lots of fresh veggies, and of course pineapple. The sweetness of the pineapple goes very well with the savoury flavour of the fried rice and veggies.

Curry Pad Thai

Probably one of the most famous dishes from Thailand is Pad Thai. If you are looking for something delicious and not too spicy then this is for you. The curry flavour was strong but not overpowering in this overall mild dish. Served with lots of crushed peanuts and sprouts.

Holy Basil

Jason tells me that this is their signature dish. This dish uses real Thai-style Holy basil (not the kind you find at the grocery store) and combines fresh veggies with a rich and slightly spicy sauce. Served with a fried egg and some cashews this dish definitely deserves their signature stamp.

If you live in the Beaches area of Toronto then check out Pattaya. One of their specialties is offering both vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as the usual choices of meat and fish. Jason tells me that there will be some new menu items being added near the end of 2017 so be sure to see what they have to offer!