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Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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This restaurant is my only place for Thai anymore. I've been here an uncountable amount of times. I've tried most everything on the menu and only been disappointed once I believe. My favorite is the Spicy Eggplant and dishes from the hot wok, but the curry is just as delicious.
I've tried 5-6 places in Arlington for Thai food. This place is the best because the food is delicious, the service is fast and prompt, it's reasonably priced and the decor is up there with any of the nicest Thai restaurants.
I've also been here for some birthdays, the mai thai's on fire are very fun.
This place is regarded as one of the best thai restaurants in the area, and justifiably so. The past three times I've been there, the food was tasty and consistently good.
The fresh rolls were my favorite appetizer, all of the goodness of a spring roll, but none of the fried nastiness. The curries good, but be sure to specify i you want some heat (if you can handle it), sometimes they skimp on that. The crispy roasted duck is another favorite, always hits the spot.
While its a bit of a drive to get to, its definitely worth the trip!
So yummy! Went here for lunch today and I ordered the Panang Tofu. It was super delicious. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals as well!
The reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the service was kinda slow. There weren't a lot of people in there but it took a long time to get our meals. But they were definitely worth the wait!
NOTE: This review is only regarding the take-out experience.
I've been hearing about Bangkok 54 for a while and my husband and I were craving Thai, so we figured we'd try it by ordering take out.
We ordered Moo Krob, Beef Fiery Kaprao, and 54's Fried Rice with Chicken.
I'd never had Moo Krob before, and it was like crackling deliciousness in our mouths! Never having pork belly before, I was very curious, but the saltiness of the pork was offset by the tenderness of the meat and the crispiness of the fried parts.
The Kaprao was also very tasty - none of the flavors overwhelmed each other and next time, and the level of spiciness was perfect (we never said anything about the spiciness level) - not too spicy, but enough heat that would build on each bite.
The 54's Fried Rice was also the right amount of heat, especially for rice, which I'm quick to mix with everything else. The only thing that I wish I had known was that there was nothing with the rice besides the spices and fried egg. I assumed that there were other ingredients mixed in. I may try the chili-basil fried rice next time, just because I enjoy some veggies in with my fried rice. However, the 54's Fried Rice was great, especially with the Kaprao sauce.
The food was tasty, the right amount of heat, and tasted fresh and flavorful. We ordered it for take-out, so I know nothing about the rest of the restaurant, or any other dishes. But we enjoyed what we got, and it traveled well back to our apartment (we only live about 10 minutes away).
This definitely my new favorite Thai place, at least of the upscale variety. (For downscale, I still prefer Thai Pilin in Tysons.)
First off, their Mai Tai 54 is amazing. Not only is it spectacular, what with the floating island of mesmerizing blue flame, but it's yummy, and quite large. Ok, maybe it's not the most authentic of mai tais, but as I say, I don't give a fig for authenticity.
Their tom kha gai is probably the best I've had. Or at least the best I can remember. Complex, spicy, perfectly proportioned with tender chicken and mushrooms. Shyum is what I say.
Their crispy rolls are da bom, particularly the sweet dipping sauce they come with; but the fresh rolls were good, but not out of this world.
So, last time I was there, I got a fish special - crispy rockfish. It wasn't like the crispy catfish I always get at Thai Pilin, which comes in a red curry sauce with a mound of jasmine rice. No, this was two large crispy-fried filets artfully arranged on a huge salad. And while I'm not a fan of such "salad entrees", this salad was absolutely spec. tac.U. lar. A very limey dressing with a hint of zing and a splash of fish sauce. Ok, I don't know how to describe it. The fish was quite good, but rockfish is one of those things that really should just stand in its own glory. I didn't feel I could tell it was rockfish and not, say, sea bass. Still, it was great.
The service is excellent - attentive yet not pushy. The waitresses, who I believe are actually Thai, are sweet. The kitchen is the open type; you can watch them working away back there, and even they enjoy saying Hi. The restaurant is in a single strip-mall unit, and it's pretty amazing how effectively they've used the space. It can seem a little cramped, but it's still cool and soothing. The parking lot in back is *really* tight, but I've never had a problem; they have a guy whose job it is to direct cars into spots, a cross between a knapsack packer and the guy on the airport tarmac with the orange light-sabers. And even he has a great attitude.
I ate here once before, and I can't remember what i had, but I remember coming away from it just as blissed out as I was this time. Five snaps up in a circle, yo.
So, we were going salsa dancing but needed to eat first. I'm not too familiar with Colombia Pike restaurants but heard this place was good and decided to check it out.
We started off with drinks at the bar. Since we were there just before 6:30PM, we qualified for Happy Hour drinks! Yay! For $5 I got a DELICIOUS blackberry mojito. A touch too sweet, but once I had the bartender water it down with some tonic, it was perfect. My bf got some sunrise cocktail with a mangosteen in the bottom. Two great and cheap drinks!
Since I am not a spicy person, I got something unspicy- the Pad See Ew with tofu. The noodles were perfect and yum. If I went again I would get chicken or beef with it, as the tofu wasn't really that good. I also tried the beef penang curry (really tasty), the golden chicken (yum, if you love sweet fried chicken), and the pad cha from the sea (nothing too great there).
The place is very reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great- low key and relaxed but still upscale. I would go again for sure!
Nothing like super fast and friendly service.
Stopped in on a Sunday night to order some take out, mind you... my sister, cousin and I came straight from the pool, so we were sporting some shorts and t-shirts with some inappropriate wet spots. But we were still kindly greeted and escorted to the back to place our take out order. The man rang us up and said the food would be ready in about 10-15 mins and he was spot on. We got home and the good was still hot and delish. We ordered green curry chicken, pad thai and pad see eew with beef.
Will definitely order from here again.
The inside was nice and definitely surprised me especially since the area is more up and coming... don't mind the crazies that hangout at the McD's and 7 Eleven next door. But at least there are new fancy condos across the street.
New favorite place to eat in the area.
The panang curry was simply delicious--they even steamed my tofu instead of frying it upon request. Wonderful price ($8.95) for a filling but not ridiculous portion of fresh vegetables cooked perfectly in a flavorful sauce.
The spring rolls are a bit small for the price, but the presentation is fun, and they are perfect as well.
My new addiction: the lime thai iced tea. My goodness, it's slightly spicy, slightly sweet, slightly citrusy, and all incredibly tasty and refreshing.
The service is great--attentive but not pushy--and the decor is really nice. Nice lighting, music, and color scheme. Feels fresh and clean, yet warm and inviting. Plus, the kitchen is open for all to see if you come in the back door, and it's spotless and full of good smells.
Full bar, nice place out-of-the-way place to wait if you get take-out, good-sized parking lot, and decent location in an up-and-coming section of the Columbia Pike.
I will definitely definitely return here many times.
After visiting several more times, I discovered Panang shrimp and the chewy delights of spicy duck salad. The duck, paired with chili peppers and pineapple, is amazing. Although labeled an appetizer, it could easily be an entree itself. I finally got the spice I have been craving. And the spice is niceeeee.
First, I recommend sitting in the dining room and not the Lounge, where the music is quite loud.… Read more »
I was going to Arlington cinema draft house with a date and we arrived early so we decided to get something to eat. Usually I would go to Matuba next store to get some sushi, but we decided to go next door because the place looked so nice from the outside. We walked in and it was incredibly designed. The place has all kinds of art on the walls, colorful paint and perfect mood lighting.
The menu had a vast array of options. I went with the beef panang curry while my date got some type of crispy pork in ginger hot sauce. I have to say I was blown away. Both dishes were very flavorful. When I got the bill it was also rather affordable.
I would have given this place five stars except for the fact that the portions were too small. Nothing is more frustrating then getting the perfect tasting meal and still being hungry at the end. I would rather they increase the price and expand the portion. Would definitely go again.
Great food, good service and nice atmosphere.
Beer and wine selection could be improved but hey they still have plenty of fancy mixed drinks you can try.
Bangkok 54 Golden Chicken with the Brown dirty rice - incredible - kick it off with the firecracker shrimp - you won't be sorry! Service tonight was a bit slow - according to the waitstaff because of the onslaught of carryout orders - I sort of read them the riot act about that but that didn't seem to speed things up. Fortunately we weren't in a hurry....
Atmosphere is good, staff is attentive and friendly, food is usually good- can sometimes be a little salty.
Things we love- fresh rolls, crispy calamari, crispy pork (could use more heat), whole fish, any curry, garlic lover hot wok, tom yum.
Yum!
My boyfriend and I went here last night as a sort of celebration of his return from the rural hinterlands of New Hampshire. I thought there was no better way to re-acclimate him to DC life than to go get Thai food. And since all of the Thai around us in Courthouse is seriously lacking, we ventured to Bangkok 54.
We started with two Thai beers and spring rolls. While there were only 2 spring rolls- yes 2!- they were very tasty and the sweet chili sauce was a good compliment to the roll flavors. Also, the presentation was beautiful in a martini glass.
For dinner, I had the tofu drunken noodles and the bf had some chicken fried rice thing. Both were excellent, although I think I drank a gallon of water because mine was quite zippy! The rice wasn't too greasy, as some fried rice tends to be, and my noodles were perfectly cooked.
This is definitely going to be our go-to Thai restaurant. Kudos Bangkok 54!
This place has an OPEN KITCHEN. How many restaurants have open kitchens, allowing you to watch them make your food? Bangkok 54 is one of the best Thai restaurants in the Washington Metropolitan area. They also have several dishes that you can't find anywhere else, such as Cellophane Noodle Salad or Pad Sator. Also, they have THE BEST Drunken Noodles I've ever had! I won't eat at just any Thai restaurant after eating here. This place is a bench mark for good Thai food. They have a separate entrance in the back for carry out. I bet they do just as much carry out and delivery business as they do in their dinning room. They also have a full bar and a nice selection of beer. I can't say enough good things about this place. I've never been disappointed with my food.
http://www.bangkok54re.../
This is my favorite local Thai place - fresh food, served quickly and with a smile. Curries don't skimp on heat, and the noodle dishes aren't too oily (like a lot of other places/chains nearby). However, I do think in the last year or so they've cut down on their portion sizes (prices are the same). I totally get it, as commodities prices have spiked and of course restaurant business is down, but it's still a little bit of a bummer when your take-out pad see ew container is only 2/3-full.
That being said, the dining room is gorgeous and serene, and the service is fantastic, so this makes a great cheap-date-that-doesn't-seem-cheap spot.
I've eaten here a couple of times now and I haven't had a dish I didn't like yet! First off, dining area has dimmed lighting, perfect for dates, with simple wall decorations and doesn't come across as gaudy as so many restaurants can do. They have a full bar and lounge area too.
The food well, we'll start with the appetizers:
Chicken Satay: Pretty straight forward, chicken on skewers with a highly addictive peanut sauce that I would eat by the tub full. Not a large appetizer, but then again, my usual American appetite needs to be curtailed a little bit.
Spring Rolls: Pretty standard, probably the most mainstream dish Bangkok 54 has to offer. Safe, simple...ok for those who aren't exactly into Thai food.
Poh Tak: This seafood soup is spicy and very yummy. Its lemongrass broth is tangy and tasteful and they do not cheat you out of some good bits of squid, mussels or scallops.
Tom Ka: This soup is an absolute favorite of mine. Lemongrass and coconut milk make up the broth with large piece of chicken and mushrooms, along with bamboo shoots fill this bowl o' perfection. Its a little spicy and has all sorts of different flavors to enjoy. A must order.
Beef Panang: Spicy and in generous proportions, this curry based dish is filling and flavorful. With a number of Thai dishes, there is a spice factor involved, but I drool at the thought of some kick in my meals!
Bangkok 54 Golden Chicken: This sweetly battered chicken is perfectly breaded and has a glaze coating it with crushed cashews.
Pad Sator: As I ordered this dish the waitress asked, "Have you ordered this before?" I answered no and she said that it had a very different taste and smell...as the menu says too. Never one to back down from a change in my usual cuisine, I ordered with no fear. Pad Sator came with jumbo shrimp and pork belly with sator beans in a red hot chili shrimp-curried paste. The sator beans are the culprits of the odd taste and even the online menu states, "Recommended for Thai food eater only" Phaw! I tackled this dish with no hesitation and it was pretty delicious. This was also my first experience with pork belly, not done as traditional bacon. I'm hooked. Delicious, though they are correct, its pretty different so be warned.
I'll be back to Bangkok 54 again, I'm sure, and an update will follow. I also believe there is a store next door that sells some Thai food stuffs for home cooking. Parking can be difficult on the street, but there is an additional overflow parking lot behind the McDonald's that you can park in...you can also park there if you're going to the Arlington Draft House.
We ordered delivery from here last night and despite the awful snowy weather the delivery guy showed up after 35 minutes, like promised, with a smile on his face. The guy who took our order over the phone was also very friendly and helpful.
We got an order of spring rolls, chicken lad na, and the garlic chicken. I was really happy with how everything was packaged (I know, kind of a weird thing to be happy about). Most places usually put take out in those dopey little white boxes that leak all over the place and cause a huge mess. Instead, they had separated everything out into these nice little plastic containers, keeping the noodles in one and the huge bowl of sauce for the lad na in another - no spills anywhere!
All the flavors were spot on, the chicken was cooked perfectly without being dry, and the portions were huge (I'm going to make three meals out of mine). Delivery was free for orders over $20 for a limited delivery area (I live in Crystal City and it was included). This is definitely my new favorite delivery place.
Since moving to Arlington in June of 2007, I have dined at Bangkok 54 four times and have ordered takeout with roommates and friends at least 15 times.
I think that their dining room is nice and low key. I have mostly eaten there for lunch and find that their lunch service is prompt, making it an easy spot for those who work around Arlington to drive there and back in an hour or slightly over. Their lunch prices are sick and they give you plenty of portion, meaning you can get in and out for $10 or so.
I wasn't terribly familiar with Thai food when I moved up here and most of my experiences with it were at a Thai fusion joint that wasn't very authentic, so I started out ordering more mainstream Americanized dishes like Pad Thai. I think that the Pad Thai at Bangkok 54 is only average. I would recommend avoiding it here, and if that is the only Thai dish you enjoy you should venture to try new things. Their other noodle offerings like Pad Se Ew and their Drunken Noodles offer more subtle flavors and are definitely superior choices .
I have tried their 5 spices stewed pork only once and did not enjoy it. I understand from a friend that this is one of their signature dishes. I owe it to them to give it another try, and I will do so the next time I go to the restaurant. I think that it may be more sensitive to delivery, as when I got it it was mushy and undesirable. I have tried all of their Thai soups exactly once and don't care for any of them. I have tried several appetizers- their calamari is terrible- avoid it. Their spring rolls are subtle and satisfying but you only get two small ones with an order.
I am a big fan of the various fried rice dishes they offer. Bankok 54's special fried rice, the chili-basil fried rice, and the Thai fried rice are all outstanding.
If you are a fan of major spice, I would highly recommend the fiery kaprow. It is intense and refreshing. It will certainly make you tear up. If you like crunchy fried thai food, you may enjoy their crispy duck.
Finally, what I find to be really standout, and the reason I give it 4 stars, is the top-notch curry offering. I have tried all of the curries and the only one I won't recommend is the yellow curry, only because it is really an Indian curry dish. All of their other curries are excellent, particularly their panang and spicy duck curry. I think that the curries are the real Hope diamond of Thai cuisine for their subtle and rich flavors and if you haven't tried them, you simply owe it to yourself.
In sum, order outside of the box and you'll probably have a great experience. Avoid the yummy phase and you'll likely be very pleased to discover (or re-discover) this Arlington eatery.
-They have Kirin on tap
-Food is reasonably priced
-Food is pretty good (but stay away from the "calamari")
-Good atmosphere
-And... free delivery if you live in the area!!! Great for lazy lunches...
I went here for a friend's birthday and was pleasantly surprised!! From the road, the market looks a bit scary- but the restaurant is on the side!
The atmosphere was wonderful and the food was amazing!! I found a new favorite drink of mine the Tokyo Rose Martini (YUM)!!! And here is the totally cool part... for the trendy surroundings, fancy food presentation (the spring rolls are served in a martini glass) and the awesome food and drinks it is really fairly priced!
We now love going for dinner and drinks at Bangkok 54 and then hop over to the movie theater for a cheap movie and a pitcher of beer!!
All in all it is always a good time with the food being my favorite part!!
Best Thai in DC area. Great atmosphere, great service, incredible food. Good, yet small beer selection. They even have Guiness on tap? Awesome.
Go to 54. Get the seafood salad or the fried fish appetizer, get the spicy duck, get the 5 spice pork. So good.
You'll be back.
Bangkok 54 is my fav Thai spot in the area, which is great since it is so close to me. I have had the Pad See-Ew with tofu, which is great, and the Fiery Kaprao chicken, which was also very good. Particularly with the Pad See-Ew I was glad they didn't skim me on the tofu like some Thai spots around Chinatown. I do wish the delivery minimum was a bit lower, since ordering $20 worth of food isn't something I usually do.
It has been awhile since I've been in the dining room, but I remember a pretty hopping happy hour and some good drinks before dinner.
Very stylish interior paired with great Thai cooking. With the overflow of Thai restaurants in the DC area, Bangkok 54 stands out as a leader in the Thai realm, as well as a leader in the revitalization of the Columbia Pike corridor. Specifically, the drunken noodles has the perfect amount of char to make it special. The Five Spices Pork is the best dish on the menu. With a mysterious blend of spices, it comes together to make the perfectly cooked, tender pork a great dish. Bangkok 54 also features unique cocktails featuring lemongrass, basil and other thai herbs/flavors.
They recently opened a lounge which is stylishly decorated, and allows couples to have a private nook with hanging fabric acting as a separator of space.
A great pre-Drafthouse meal.
Went there for the first time last night after reading about it on yelp.
I think that I would describe the setting as a modern or contemporary style bar-restaurant. Upscale and trendy. Outside of a few minor decorations, you wouldn't even know it was a Thai restaurant. Overall, nice decor and atmosphere.
The service was excellent. The wait staff explained different menu options and checked up on us periodically.
The food was great. I had the spicy crispy duck while my wife had a shrimp pad thai dish. We also had a spring roll appetizer and sodas. The damage - $45 before tip. Not bad.
Probably will make this my go-to for Thai. Currently, I've been frequenting Rincome across the street but their food is just okay at essentially the same price point.
Bangkok 54 put the heat back into DC area Thai food.
I often hit up different Thai places and ask it for so called "spicy" or "hot" as they describe. I'm usually insulted by the level of heat they put in the food. I try to convince them to make it spicy by saying can you make it the way you would eat it. It's hit or miss, but this place had my taste buds blazin'.
The missus and I ordered take out of Pad Thai and asked for hot it scorched our insides. It was good.
We went on another occasion and the basil beef, yum woon sen (clear noodles with a lime/pepper sauce), and deep fried pork belly. Everything was pretty good; however, I think the flavors were a little off.
The ambiance is nice and this would be a pretty good first date kind of place. It's not the whole in the wall kind of Asian restaurant but actually really nice and intimate feeling.
Food was really good, I ordered the panang chicken curry and the drunken noodles. Both dishes were money, I think this is a legitimate 4-star place. Only problem here is the staff try to rush you a little bit but if you give them the stare they'll back off.
Hm. I'm a regular, being so close by, but I had take out the other day and it was so.very.ordinary. The coconut milk in the soup had turned and the beef with broccoli was not tasty and they'd added carrots to it (not a good idea).
Are they getting cocky?
I have eaten here both dine-in and take-out. Both times I had low expectations, but both times I was pleasantly surprised!
From the outside, the place looks kind of run down, but the inside was beautifully decorated with very attentive waiters. While dining in, I ordered the golden chicken, which was a little bit pricy, but WELL worth it--that is one yummy dish!
For take-out, I had the chicken lad na, which I really had no clue what I was going to receive. Turned out to be almost chicken soup, with a separate platter of the best asian noodles I've ever had!
One of the better hidden gems in Arlington!
What do you do when you haven't posted a review in months and you've acquired 5+ unfinished reviews in your queue? You start a review about something completely different. [I don't make the rules.]
So...it was time for someone's birthday, and any of you who have become known as the "person who Yelps" amongst your friends know that means you're probably going to be the one scoping out locations and securing a reservation. Thank Zeus for parameter searching.
Bangkok 54 was actually the third place that I called, and they were the only place that was able to answer on-the-spot about my request for a large party reservation. They were already winning points in my book [it's chartreuse and I keep it in my purse]. When the answer that came back was, "Seven thirty, right? We can do that," I added five more points for good measure.
Parking here is somewhat chaotic. I think you can find places on the street, but the designated lot is small-ish. Not a problem to maneuver into a spot if you've got a sedan, but good luck navigating that when you're driving a Toyota Sequoia that eats mid-size SUVs for breakfast. I'm just saying: leave the boat at home. Plan accordingly.
Half of us were late [as it tends to happen with large groups], but the wait staff didn't flinch and moved some tables around for us. Five minutes later we were seated and ordering drinks. A small tip for those who might not know: when making a reservation for a large party, make it for an odd number of people. Most tables are made to accommodate even numbers, and that way if your "on-the-fence" friend or someone unexpected shows up, you can slip them in, no problem. I knew there would be at least twelve of us, so I made our reservation for thirteen. Fourteen people came.
Looking back on the night, there were two main things that really impressed me about Bangkok 54.
1. Acoustics. I'm not certain of exactly how much control restaurants have over this, but we were hitting that perfect noise level. It was loud enough that the rather heated debate between four of us over whether we'd rather sleep with Jack or Sawyer on LOST [I kind of derailed that one when I said neither and chose Desmond] wasn't obnoxiously dominating the room, but soft enough that everyone could hear each other without shouting.
2. Service. We had one server officially assigned to our table and another playing assist. I don't know their names, so I'm going to refer to them as Yogi [because she truly was smarter than the average server] and Boo Boo. Yogi was very attentive, and apparently had very good hearing [or maybe mine's starting to deteriorate] because there were several times when I thought she hadn't caught something we'd thrown in intermittently or at the last second, but everything was perfect. She also didn't hang around our table, which can get awkward, but managed to show up rather promptly whenever we needed something. I noticed this about halfway into the meal, because it was really was starting to border on ninja-like behavior. It turned out all she was really doing was watching our table. Not in a creepy way, like the way I was probably observing her for a good five minutes, but glancing over every minute or so and quickly identifying that lost, anxious look people tend to get when they need their server. Yogi also remembered everything that we ordered and WHO ordered it without writing anything down [at least I don't think she did, I might have been yelling something about Desmond being hotter than Jack at that point]. That doesn't impress me as much as it used to, but when you've got a table of fourteen, props are in order. Boo Boo was waiting on several other tables, but she kept on top of all of the things you take for granted when done properly and get annoyed about when they're ignored. I can't recall my water glass ever being empty at any point during the night. We definitely tipped generously.
Other things of note - the food was actually pretty damn good. No lines to be scribbled outside of the box of typical Thai/Asian fare, but everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying what they'd ordered. A little oily, yes, but I got the pineapple fried rice with beef and while I wouldn't kill a baby to have some appear in front of me right now, I'd certainly think about running over a squirrel. The portions are somewhat large, and when they say things are spicy, they do mean SPICY. You have been forewarned.
All in all, it was a really nice dinner. I can safely say that it's an EXCELLENT location for groups, and given the general atmosphere it'd probably be a nice first date place, too [like many others have noted]. The only reason I'm leaving off a star is because, while Bangkok 54 perfectly suited our needs for that night, I have a suspicion that for my normal dining excursions it would read as slightly above mediocre. Final words: it's worth a visit if you're in Arlington and enjoy Thai food [especially if you have fifteen of your closest friends in tow].
This is a really pretty and clean restaurant. I met with my friend there for an early dinner to catch up because we hadn't had a chance to talk in forever, so we knew we would be there for a while. Everyone who made eye contact greeted us very warmly. Our server was courteous and the food came very fast. The Thai iced tea was yummy and the food was GREAT. The menu items weren't very expensive, either. I think the most expensive dishes I saw were for around $12.
We finished our food and still had a lot to talk about so we hung around for quite a bit. After they took our plates away, it seemed like they were trying to rush us out of there. It wasn't even busy yet, even though it was a Saturday night. She brought out our check before we asked for it and as soon as we signed the slips, she took it away and paid no more attention to us except to glare at us for still being there. I really didn't appreciate feeling like there was a time limit to how long we could be there. We were not difficult or demanding at all and it wasn't like there was a wait for people to eat. Like I said, the food was great, but I'm really hoping that when I come back there, the service will be better.
This is definitely our favorite Thai place in all of Arlington! We've been coming here for a few years now and have had many great meals. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is nice and the people are very friendly. Parking is a pain but it's worth it! Here are 3 recommendations:
- Golden chicken -- we always order this one. It's awesomeness!
- Butternut squash red curry
- Stir-fried spicy eggplant
As with most places, you can ask them to make the spicy dishes less spicy.
This place is perfect for either a nice date or for families with kids. Despite the nice decor, we always bring our little ones and never have a problem (although others around us may disagree!). The wait staff are always very friendly and welcoming with the kids.
The portions are small for its price but eating here is quite pleasant. Great cocktail and dependable dishes. Head to Thai Square few blocks down for a more authentic experience.
I'm a little hesitant to write a review. I got a nasty message from some dude who must have been connected to Thai Square for my review (which was positive) when I mentioned I had to go to Bangkok 54 to compare the two restaurants. He said something about how the Bangkok 54 people stole the Thai Square recipes, blah, blah, blah. I might have been more sympathetic if he was a little nicer in his message to me, but hey, you know the drill on jerks.
Anyhow, not only is Bangkok 54 swankier, the food is better (thankfully, I blocked the dude noted above, so I hope not to get cranked). My husband ordered the same crispy duck he ordered at Thai Square. The Bangkok 54 version was infinitely better. Yeah, they may have stole recipes, but they also IMPROVED upon them.
We got this huge app plate which was heavenly. The wait staff kept the beer flowing, and all of our dishes were amazing. I had the crispy pork and I loved it. It was like crackling with this really yummy sauce. A friend had a noodle dish with shrimp (can't remember which one) and that was really good, too.
The only downers were our other friend's grilled beef salad was screwed up and Bangkok 54 didn't seem to have enough condiments to go around. Otherwise, this review would be half a star more.
This place gives me Thai blue balls.
Discovering that Thai Square didn't open until noon, we walked into Bangkok 54 from the sizzling sidewalk and were immediately impressed with the tastefully modern Asian decor and generally serene atmosphere. Sliding into a booth with triangular arm cushions that made for surprisingly comfortable props, we looked over a number of mouth-watering specials featuring soft shell crabs (a bit late for those, isn't it?) and crunchy basil, and finally decided on a papaya salad, the 54 salad, green and panang curries, and the roasted duck rolls. As I have had a bit of a cough for the last few days, we also started with the Thai tea.
We should have sensed trouble when jasmine tea (weak at that) arrived instead of our beloved red tea.
The roasted duck roll was the most gorgeous appetizer I have ordered in recent memory, featuring two beautifully browned roti filled with hunks of duck, green onion shoots, and a fragrant duck sauce. At least, that's what the artfully arranged food resembled. In reality, we ate two browned cylinders of what seemed to be crescent and phyllo dough dredged in oil, filled with rubbery, dry hunks of something, with a flavorless duck sauce smeared inside. I took two bites and pushed it to the side. The accompanying 54 salad featured leaf lettuce, an unexciting bottled peanut dressing, and flavorless tofu crisps straight from the snack section of an Asian market. After tasting these starters, we were apprehensive about the main dishes.
The papaya salad showcased unripe papaya in julienne strips (at least the knife skills were decent) with a simple dressing that needed some kick. The green curry fared best, filled with chicken and peppers, but still lacked a couple of background flavors. The panang curry with beef had no complexity and was redolent of liquid smoke. But, the disappointing rice took the top prize, being a dead ringer for Uncle Ben's. Don't tell me I'm eating jasmine rice when I'm not.
Needless to say, I will not be going back.
Friendly take out. Not overly large portions. Pleasantly greasy. Three whole shrimp in my soup (most places do two). The yellow curry dish had a slight aftertaste of petroleum by-product. Food arrived in 35 minutes which is fast.
I am conflicted. I used to love this place but it went downhill in service and food quality the last couple times I visited.
I love the edamame sticks which are edamame beans stacked and tempura fried. They have a nice drink menu and a good sake selection.
Nice atmosphere, decor and menu selection. Thai basil, drunken noodle, and Panang curry are all favorites. Plenty of vegetarian selections.
CONSUMER ALERT - this place is so overrated it pains me. Here is a summary:
Thai Square was closed. So, walked in and was like "wow - this is off the hizook" - ambiance is unexpectedly modern and totally zen - capped off with a Thai lady praying to a Buddha icon."
So, ordered a bunch of food and had some BAD experiences.
Tea: was not Thai red tea, but rather a jasmine tea bag.
Rice: was not sticky, starchy jasmine rice, but Uncle Ben's (though when prompted, they will lie and call it jasmine)
Papaya salad: was normal; could have had more flavor, but papaya was fresh and crisp.
Tom Ka soup: shrimps were good; but, soup lacked some essential ingredient.
Duck roll: Looked beautiful - duck wrapped in a roti was like reconstituted duck jerky OR maybe duck made for astronauts.
54's salad: the salad was not interesting; the peanut dressing lacked spice or zing despite the description; the criminal aspect was the fried tofu. It was dehydrated tofu from a plastic bag. ICKY and a SIN.
Green curry chicken: almost good, but lacked an X-factor. Something was missing.
Panang beef: beef was tender; sauce was too smoky - like it had liquid smoke; broccoli was fresh and well-cooked.
In summary, this place should close.
Went out for a quick bite to hold me over till dinner this past weekend and ended up here. My cravings took over and Bangkok sounded way better than lost dog across the street.
The decor does not belong in this area, but I'm not complaining. It really does look like a nice posh Penn quarter type place. If this was DC, I definitely would have felt under dressed, but hey its Arlington -- bring on the athletic shorts and brown sandals.
I started with something called puff balls (?) I'm not really sure what they were called, but they were small pastries filled with curry spices and potatoes and served with a cucumber dressing. Reminded me of a very refined (and small) saltena. It was good, but i wouldnt spend $7 for 3 bite sized pieces again (plus i like my saltenas as a cheap on-the-go food).
Entree was the Bangkok 54 spicy duck. I'm a sucker for duck and really cant resist it when I see it on a menu. This was probably the best thai-style crispy duck I've ever had. It wasn't knock-me-out amazing, but it was pretty damn good and got better with every bite. it was light, crunchy, and had a little bit of kick.
Only thing that sucks, and I really don't understand why all Thai places are like this, is that they always charge extra for white rice. $2!!! for a small little cup. common!! seriously? I buy 25lbs of rice for $15. That means you probably buy it for $10. I think you can afford to hook it up with a cup to cool off the heat from some of your dishes.
Someone please explain this to me. I'm Asian, and I love rice. I thought Thai culture fell under the same category. its cool if you guys don't use chopsticks, but you have to like rice... right?
Spicy Roasted Tofu is the greatest vegetarian dish in the Thai Universe. Decor is spot on, service is nice and helpful. Have been here a dozen times and always had good service and food.
People compare this to Thai Square, but honestly I don't find many parallels. Thai Square (which I agree is EXCELLENT) is good for exotic Thai food closer to what you would find in Thailand. Bangkok 54 is a little more Westernized, which some people think means is not genuine. I personally can't understand this generalization; just because something isn't the same as it is in the originating country doesn't exclude it from being better. The best pizza is NOT served in Italy (personal testament).
Back to Bangkok 54 though... it has ample seating (you are always being stared at by people waiting for a table at Thai Square, which is uncomfortable), and a nice decor (Thai Square has some old tourism posters from the Thai press section, it seems). All in all, Bangkok 54 is an excellent restaurant for taking out of town guests, and has many good pescatarian and vegetarian options.
Arlington, VA
Category: Thai
Arlington, VA
Category: Thai
Arlington, VA
Category: Thai
Arlington, VA
Category: Thai
Falls Church, VA
Category: Thai
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