“Eating my way through Ocean Beach.” – Review of Thai Time Bistro

 “Thai Time Bistro Thai Food”
1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

After cooking dinner for 12 people last night, I decided to take one of my students and go out to dinner tonight. We found our way to a restaurant I have been to many times, and knew that my student liked Thai food so it was a natural.

We arrived about 6:50pm on a Saturday night and although the restaurant was not full there was a lot of action taking place.  We were “sort of” greeted by the manager and left standing as he sat another patron. After seating them he came back to us and showed us our table.  We sat for a few minutes, and one of the female’s that help serve the food brought us water (with lemon slices.) For the first time since I have been dining at Thai Time there was also a small bowl of warm fava beans served as an appetizer.  It took another few minutes for them to realize that we were not given menus, and it was rather disconcerting when the manager put them on the end of the table rather than handing each of us our own menu. It was necessary for me to reach across the table to pick up the menu.  However, when he came back for our order he was pleasant .

If you have never been to Thai Time before, you might be surprised at the very extensive menu.  Each item is numbered, and there are over 75 offerings.  The segments are broken down into Appetizers, Soups, Spicy Salads, Thai Noodles and Fried Rice, Entrees, Curries, House Specialties and Seafood, and Thai Time Specialries (sic).  Additionally they have 3 varieties of Thai Noodle Soup. The prices are very reasonable, and there are some items that can be ordered as  a small or large serving .

My student ordered “Red Curry” made with coconut milk with eggplant, bamboo shoot, bell peppers, pea and carrot and basil. He ordered it with chicken, but had the choice of vegetarian, mock chicken or mock duck or tofu; chicken, beef or pork; roast duck; shrimp or calamari; seafood or scallops or a combination of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, and calamari.  It came with steamed rice, but  he had his choice of steamed rice or brown rice.  The cost for his meal was $8.95 and there was a lot of food. He also ordered a “Sprite”

I ordered “Thai Time Fried Rice” that came with Shrimp, chicken, cashew nuts, pineapple, broccoli, pea and carrot, onion and egg. There were also a few pieces of okra on the plate. The price was also $8.95.

Shortly after we were seated a group of 4 came in and were shown to their table. Their drink order was taken and they received their drinks approximately four minutes before my student was served his Sprite. This normally would not be a problem, but since he is from Europe and does not like ice in his water, he would have liked to have his drink sooner.

An interesting aspect of the ambiance of the restaurant was that a Billie Holiday tape was playing. It seems to me that in the past there has been Asian music in the background. I enjoyed that music and certainly liked the Billie Holiday music.

My student was served his order 3 minutes before mine. The “food runner” brought the rice in a separate bowl from the curry, and an empty place so he could mix them together. My order was served in one large plate, attractive with a multicolored salad, two slices of cucumber and two orange quarters. Both of our meals were hot, and very tasty.

This restaurant seems to do a thriving take-out business. While we were there, seven people came in to pick up their called in orders. Additionally, they offer delivery service and we heard the manager make a call to verify the address before sending it out. They also offer a Lunch Special at $6.95 that is quite extensive, listing 23 items.

We were pleased with our meal and our service once the order was taken. There is no question that we will be returning. The total meal, with tip, was less than $25. It was certainly worth the price, and quite enjoyable.