Not being familiar with Thai restaurants in Sydney I returned to the Internet and typed “best Thai food restaurant Sydney”.
Up came the TripAdvisor list of the best restaurants. At the top of that list was the
Thai Pothong Newtown
So, I utilized the Google online reserve system and was advised there was no tables available, so I tried to call.
The first call was answered but they could not hear me. I now understand why because of the enormous noise of 300 to 500 diners in the background.
On the second call I was able to complete a reservation.
I assumed that if it was that tough getting a reservation it must be an excellent Thai restaurant
The only negative was that it was approximately 4 km away from our downtown residence and knowing I did not want to drive in this city at night we halide a taxicab which cost $25.
When we finally arrived, we realized this was not your average Thai restaurant tucked away on a street with seating for 20 to 30. It appears that started with a typical Thai restaurant but expanded to a huge almost banquet style restaurant like huge Chinese restaurants in most Chinatown sections of most cities of the world.
On entry they had a line for people with no reservations with about 20 people waiting in line.
After standing in a line for those with reservations we were soon seated.
The seating was very tight on a busy lane that is used for serving and seating.
Nevertheless, we continue to assume this must be great food.
We ordered a couple a Long Island iced teas to start the evening and proceeded to order what they called “their favourites” which included Thai fishcakes, a softshell crab salad as appetizer followed by green curry for my wife and chicken cashew for myself.
I must say the service was excellent but unfortunately it did not make up for the food.
First the Long Island iced teas were terrible amongst the worst I’ve had anyplace in the world.
The Thai fishcakes were extremely dry, overcooked and only semi-warm.
The softshell crab salad was minuscule and lacked any fragrant tastes of normal Thai cuisine.
The waiters who were excellent continued to fill our water glasses but were obviously overworked with approximately 300 to 500 guests.
There must’ve been at least 15 birthday parties going on with small groups of people of 4-12.
Often the noise from these birthday groups was very annoying.
My wife enjoyed the green curry dish which was the only dish that we enjoyed.
All in all this restaurant is a classic example of a business meeting its point of incompetence.
To qualify that I have experience to make such a statement reader should understand that I’m a former chef owned my own restaurant and general manager of TripAdvisor Hall of Fame hotel in Bali which is the highest award you can receive from TripAdvisor awarded 2% of the hotels in the world.
Also understand that it took me ½ hour my vacation time to write this which could be better spent enjoying my vacation but I feel a need to warn others against this Thai restaurant factory
I couldn’t wait to get out of there because I felt like it was just a factory for Thai food I’m sure I could’ve found a quaint little Thai restaurant maybe listed 3-4 on the TripAdvisor’s list that would’ve been much more satisfying, especially the food.
All in all I give it a 2/5 and would never recommend it to my friends.
To add insult to the injury the bill for just to be was $125 for just two appetizers and two main courses which is fine for a lavish restaurant in Sydney but for a cheap poor-quality Thai restaurant I felt ripped off.
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