Very often, a restaurant belies its modest exterior. So it goes with Pad Thai Restaurant in Fairlawn, one of two locations targeting the galloping gourmets and global grazers in the Patch.
When you walk inside, the atmosphere and scintillating smells transport you halfway around the world. And with a gigantic menu — fortified with authentic Thai and Chinese cuisines — your wallet gets to rest comfortably on terra firma while you spend “One Night in Bangkok,” to quote the old song.
Good thing, too. With a vast array of Thai dishes including Pa-Nang beef, Prik-Pao chicken, pataya vegetables, mango chicken, and more, you’ll want to order extra dishes just to have the leftovers.
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After a won-ton soup starter, diners can get their rocks off on signature dishes like Tod Mun Gai (chicken patties stuffed with green beans, basil and herbs laced with zesty cucumber sauce) or Fresh Puket Curry Duck (smothered with mushrooms, eggplant, onions and pepper in a lathery coconut milk-based sauce).
There’s also (you guessed it) Pad Thai. And it’s out of this world, spiced to suit the discerning palate.
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Dessert? Yeah, it’s a bit strange for first-timers. But Shankaya Brown sticky rice steamed with coconut milk, and topped with egg custard ground peanuts and coconut milk transcends with a quick bite or two.
Alternately, the avocado ice cream (?) and old-fashioned birthday cake (?!?) are bound to throw diners for a loop. Both are elegant and unexpected flourishes to some decent dining.
With dine-in and take-out options, Pad Thai Restaurant offers (natch) “a show with everything but Yul Brenner!”
Two area locations, including 3545 Brookwall Dr., Fairlawn, 330-668-9981, www.pad-thairestaurant.com . $6-$13 for lunches, $14 to $25 for entrees