Last was night was a joint Birthday celebration and six of us had dinner. As always, an outstanding meal. Here's what we shared: Pacific oysters with smoked red chilli and basil oil Betel leaf - scallop, red chilli, peanuts and lime Chive cake fries with black vinegar Caramelised pork hock with five spice, chilli vinegar Silken tofu with sweet soy Vegetable green curry Grilled coconut chicken Stir fried Asian greens and, Steamed jasmine rice A total feast!! Great food, great ambience, great service. A delight. As always. read more

Loved it! We went with the banquet menu, which was an excellent selection of foods - local fare that was Thai inspired. The service was attentive and offered suggestions for a dietary restriction. Some of the tables are picnic/banquet style so you may be at a shared table. However the service tries to space you if possible. The restaurant ambiance is excellent and so were the cocktails! read more

3.5 stars! Thai fusion food made with local Australian ingredients is what you'll find at Longrain, a trendy Asian fusion restaurant. However, don't expect the most authentic flavors, as these have definitely been toned down to suit Western palates. On my visit for dinner, I had the papaya salad with snake beans, tomatoes, and peanuts, which was much too sweet and not well balanced in flavor. We also had the appetizer of chargrilled Cape Grim beef with betel leaves, sticky rice, and nahm jim jao, a hot and tangy sauce. The beef was cooked perfectly and just a little bit chewy, and you could make wraps using the betel leaf for delicious bites! Finally, we ordered a special for our main course: chargrilled black marron with green mango, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and hot and sour dressing. The black marron were large crayfish from Australia, and they were dressed with the vegetables, herbs, and sauce on top. Though the seafood was cooked nicely, the flavor of the toppings was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of ginger. However, not a bad dish overall! At Longrain, you'll find a truly unique fusion of Thai flavors and cooking styles with local Australian ingredients. The service is friendly and hospitable, but the prices are certainly high for the portion sizes, and the flavors are definitely less than authentic. Given that, I probably wouldn't be in a rush to return. read more

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Excellent ambiance, excellent food, very friendly staff who helped guide me through the menu.

Love the food, ambiance, and service provided by Sophie and Tim! Loved it so much we went 2 nights in a row on our vacation!

This was our first meal off of our tour in Melbourne. I chose it from other reviews and was not disappointed. The menu was quite unusual and our party of 6 relied on our server, Mia to make suggestions for us to share and taste a variety of their offerings. All were prepared expertly and we especially loved the whole snapper. It was overall a wonderful and unique dining experience and worth the longer walk from our hotel by the waterfront read more

Almost 6 years ago I had been told by a colleague that long grain was his favourite restaurant and that every year he made it a point to visit it with his wife. This is back when I lived in Sydney. Since then I've had this intense desire to go to long grain but been afraid of reading about the long waits. But this evening my friend and I decided to get there at 5.45pm and we were the first ones in line and were seated at 6pm on a nice wooden table nest the windows Service staff are great and it is fantastic that that are happy to reduce the size and price of the main dishes if the food is being shared between just two people as all main dishes are to share. We were warned that the appetizers are bite sized and they were. We ordered the caramelized pork prawn on pineapple and it wad literally the smallest two chunks of pineapple (perhaps as big as a 1 one dollar coin) with two teensy meatballs on top. Delicious but for 6 dollars wow. I could definitely taste the herbs the caramel the dizziness of the prawn and it went well with the pineapple. For mains we ordered the smaller version of the osso bucco and instead of 38 we got it for 28. Tut was still a sizeable portion with a small sized home with tender beef on it. Some baby chat potatoes and meaty pieces of eggplant. Delicious curry but nothing to call home about. Not spicy. Lightly flavoured and not spicy at all. We ordered the hapuka lemongrass curry which was a fillet of fish in broth with lots of chives and coriander. It had pieces of varying types of mushrooms too. I found the dish very disappointing. First of all it wad served below room temperature. We were told the dish wasn't going to be filling but it was more than enough. The broth was flavorless and honestly all I could taste was chive and coriander because that is what I kept getting in each bite. I don't understand what all the the hype is about. Service is definitely great and so is ambience and decor but food is average. read more

Longrain Restaurant - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Boujee fusion Asian food What is there not to like about that !? :) Didn't manage to get photos of the main meals but the food was actually decent - well cooked and presented The staff who served us were extremely professional It was clear that we were eating at a higher class establishment from the mannerisms. Really impressed with the service that night The dessert was absolutely delicious Looked like something whipped up by a MasterChef contender trying to stay in the competition on elimination day read more

Longrain Restaurant - Some things actually taste as good as they look - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Now run by the sprawling empire of Scott Pickett. Food was good rather than outstanding, but was a set menu, will tempted to go back and try ale carte. Had a more impressive meal at Smith St Bistro, his new restaurant. read more

Longrain is certainly a Melbourne institution. We've been here quite a few times and always enjoyed it immensely. Tonight was probably the 'worst' food we've had here, but even on a 'bad' night it's still alright. For entree we had the pomelo, coconut, chilli etc betel leaves and the scallop entree. Both were yum. For main we had the egg net filled with pork and prawns. It was served cold as a salad. It was a decent size meal, as they always are here. The prawns were fresh and cooked well. There wasn't a lot of pork though and the dressing was overly sweet. We had old faithful as well - the caramelised pork hock with chilli vinegar. It was great, crispy pork, delicious sauce, and a spicy tart vinegar to temper the sweetness of the sauce. It was delicious. The service started really well but slowed off at the end. But for that we probably would have tried some of the ice cream - the palm sugar ice cream sounded good, as did the Thai milk tea ice cream. Oh well maybe next time! read more

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Longrain is a Thai inspired Melbourne dining institution. The food is of exceptionally high standard and the interior trendy - causally chic and always abuzz with music and chatter! This visit to Longrain was no exception. We had a booking for a party of 10 and found this to be a great opportunity to engage in communal dining and try a large sample of what Longrain really has to offer. Needless to say, we weren't disappointed. Coriander, lime, chilli, coconut, garlic - all of the full and flavoursome Thai flavours were present. My favourite dish was the caramelised pork hock. Meat that melts in your mouth and crackling cooked to absolute perfection!! The duck was also delicious and the red curry sauce perfect for mopping up with wild brown rice. The dinner specials added to the variety of choice, from crisp whole baby snapper to red peanut curry with tofu and kaffir lime (not too mention the many more vegetarian dishes that were available too). One concern I secretly harbour with shared meal experiences is that the portions may be far too small to adequately sample their flavour (or to stave off the quick hamburger fix on the way home). Not at Longrain!! Our party ordered one to two portions of each dish we decided to try and found this to be ample. Although, on my next visit I'm determined to have a whole caramelised pork hock to myself! Knowledgeable staff (who were happy to explain the finer details of the tastes and aromas of Longrain's kitchen) and the presence of a large Lazy Susan on our table capped the evening off as one to remember. I look forward to my next visit! read more

Longrain Restaurant - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I haven't been to Longrain in a couple of years and I was happy that without booking we got a table after sitting at the bar for 20 mins. It did take us quite a while for one of the wait staff to take our drinks order. Before our snacks (we order salmon on betel leaf and chicken wings) arrived, we were ushered to our tables. The salmon on betel leaf was OMG delicious but its was so small that it is gone in 5 seconds and I wanted more. The chicken wings was not enough, there was only 4 pieces (1 for each of us) and I needed more, the tamarind sauce that came with it was so moreish - one of my mission is to try all the fried chicken in Melbourne. We had the papaya salad (which is amazing but a tad spicy for my liking but all the taste I needed it was there). We had the ping pong, cocktail and mocktail versions and they were sweet, tart, cold and full of texture from the passionfruit. Recommended! read more

Longrain Restaurant - Flavoursome - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I love this place, everything from the cocktails to the betel leaf tapas to the silken tofu or the ocean trout main. Worth the wait and as long as you're ok with sharing large tables this place rocks!! Service is great too, I never have to try and get the wait staffs attention and if you're in a rush they can get the dishes out quickly. My new fave place! read more

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Longrain is a well oiled machine of a restaurant. I say this because technically they are on point in terms of food presentation, quality and service, but there is a slightly cold element in the ambiance and sincerity in service, which can feel quite impersonal. That being said, I did enjoy my meal here as the dishes were loaded with flavour, presented well and very tasty. My favourite was the poached chicken with green papaya which was spicy and paired well with rice. Other noteworthy dishes were the fried duck curry that tenderly fell off the bone and the vegetarian curry, full of a nice variety of veggies and flavours. They have an ample wine selection, something for everyone. We ended up with two bottles of red for our table, which seemed like a never ending glass that was good to the last drop. Many tables have Lazy Susans which are quite handy for groups. In comparison to other Asian fusions like Chin Chin, you can probably get just as much food for a lower price, but the quality is definitely on par. Overall it was a great experience and there are many yummy dishes to suit any palette. read more

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How to explain PERFECTION. Walk-in at the bar. Wonderful bartender matched the perfect cocktail Thai Lady to the betel leaf prawn appetizer. Appetizer is amazing with fresh herbs, prawn and a slight spicy spark. Cocktail is a special combination of spicy tart coconut that was new to me. Salmon with spicy broth presentation, herbs, and daikon followed. Matched with a bright white wine. Wrap up with the Vietnamese coffee ice cream with some nice cookies crumble. Everything had extraordinary balance, restraint and flavor. Portions are measured so room to enjoy. Did I say recommend! read more

I just had one of the best meals of my life. The betel leaf prawn appetizer was incredible (be warned. It's one bite). Every dish served to both me and my companion was perfect. I would whole heartedly recommend. read more

You can't book a table for Longrain unless you have over six people dining. You have no choice other than to sit down and drink delicious cocktails after putting your name on a list. It's a hard life. The cocktail menu is extensive and apart from the classics, there are also some wonderful variations using exotic Thai flavours. My favourites are either the Gin Sling (Lychees and lemongrass) or the Bloody Longrain (a spicier and more 'thai' version of the classic Bloody Mary). But wait, there's more. For exciting unique Thai food, Longrain is top of the list. Longrain is all about sharing, so there are hardly any entrees to have. There are two choices of Betel leaf and I highly recommend the option with smoked trout, chilli, roasted galangal, garlic and trout roe. This little appetiser packs a punch so you won't need too many. Pay a lot of attention to the mains. They are varied and exciting and it is worthwhile getting a few different and diverse options: the whole baby snapper paired with the Cape Grim beef yellow curry is marvellous. Expect service to be efficient and the food and drinks to be magnificent. Get there early to hit the top of the list. read more

Longrain Restaurant - The ultimate Thai experience - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Longrain is my favourite Asian restaurant, and a pretty strong contender for my favourite restaurant overall in Melbourne. Yup, it's that good. Consistently. I love that all dishes are designed for sharing, so you get to taste a wide range of the menu. Go out and make more friends. Now. The more people you come with, the more dishes you get to taste. I'm also a big fan of the drinks at Longrain. They're best known for their cocktails (the Gin Sin is worth bragging about), but the wine list isn't to be overlooked... Yeah, it's on the spendier end of things, but Longrain offers excellent value for your bucks. The serving sizes are extremely generous even when you're sharing with a big group, and the service is exceptional. The staff are friendly, attentive and know their stuff, but are completely unpretentious. It's a really comfortable dining experience. Just a final word: DO NOT MISS THE EGG NET. You have been told. read more

Longrain Restaurant - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Loved this place! Went there for a nice girl dinner and the food and drinks were great! Drinks- Being pregnant I asked for a virgin Ping Pong - a cocktail with lychee, citrus and passion fruit! So yummy! Food - All the food is designed to be shared which was great because we couldn't decide on what to get! We took the special of the day (sirloin), the baramundi, the duck and the chicken and it was so delicious! My favorite was the duck which was accompanied by an apple and plum sauce that was heaven! We shared some jasmin rice to go with everything! Dessert - we shared the fig dessert and a coconut ice-cream. Never had an ice-cream that good!!! Overall a big 5 star for this amaising restaurant! The staff was super friendly too! It is a bit expensive but it's worth it - and they are also part of the entertainment book! read more

There are two locations for this restaurant, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. Because I am obsessed, I'll be transposing my review to each. Look, I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, USA and the light at the end of the tunnel for a 30+ hour flight? Eating at these restaurants. I have gone to both locations each of the two times I've been to Australia. Their whole fried snapper is something I dream about. Their caramelized pork and their betel leaves are my other two favorites. On my second trip to Australia, I hit Melbourne first and they didn't have my snapper that night. :'( So, like the obsessed fan I am, when I traveled to Sydney, I called to find out what night they were going to be having it. I think I've developed a problem. Any interest in an Atlanta location, Longrain? read more

A great way to sample the menu is to order the banquet. The betel leaf and smoked trout is amazing, and so is the caramelised pork, however all the food was delicious! Amongst our group, we had two people with fructose intolerance, so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the menu could be modified without any hassles to accommodate these dietary requirements. Although the restaurant was very busy, the table service was excellent. Our waiter Kitti provided impeccable service, going above and beyond to ensure that the people with dietary requirements were aware of the modified dishes provided for them, and answer their questions regarding the menu. The only negative is the acoustics from the open space, concrete etc. and it can get very noisy, making it difficult to talk. Otherwise, it's a fantastic restaurant - highly recommended read more

This place had great food. I ordered some prawns as well as the shrimp wrap and a side of Chinese broccoli. Everything had great flavor and I enjoyed the dishes a whole lot. With that being said, the decor was a bit clubby for my taste. It reminds you of a typical restaurant in the meatpacking district from 10 years ago. The service was great as well. read more

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An Aussie friend highly recommended Longrain so I stopped in for a solo dinner while I was in Melbourne for a short stay. This was the most upscale, trendy Thai restaurant I'd ever experienced in both ambience and presentation. A large open space that blends sleek modernity with a contemporary Southeast Asian vibe. Dishes are plated beautifully with a whimisical flair - the Eggnet Salad being on top of the list. Very attentive servers and bartenders, and a well variegated menu exhibiting all the Thai flavors. read more

Longrain Restaurant - Eggnet Salad - Thai Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Although I really enjoy Thai-inspired food, Longrain on Little Bourke Street managed to elude my custom until earlier in the week. Although I was given some apt inside advice to enjoy a few cocktails in the bar and wait for a seat in the section of the bar that serves food, which effectively allows you to avoid the communal table seating - something that I have never been to keen to do when not dining with a group in the evening, odd circumstances kept me from Longrain until recently. When I presented myself at the restaurant with one other, the floor manager was happy to arrange a seat at the bar for a relaxing meal when one became available. In the meantime we were given a different seat at the bar so that we could enjoy tasty alcoholic beverages. It is curious that you are not permitted to order food on one side of the bar but you can on the opposite side. I am sure there is a good reason but I didn't bother asking since I was distracted by pleasant conversation and of course the speciality cocktails of the house. Ultimately we were moved to new perches at the bar and were provided both the wine list and the dinner menu. The server was very keen to consult with us instead of just take our order. After spending a good three minutes with us talking about the menu, the various tastes that we were keen to experience and also the wine that we pondered matching with the forthcoming feast, we placed our order and I am confident that the ensuing positive experience was highlighted further by the time that he spent with us. A green papaya salad with snake beans, peanuts and dried shrimp ($14.00) along with crispy son-in-law eggs ($14.00) made a refreshing and aromatic way to start the meal when matched with a very mild pinot noir from Oregon, USA. The produce was fresh and full of flavour and just as impressive when consumed with the red curry with seared duck breast, lychee, fresh bamboo and Siamese watercress ($38.50) and was especially tasty when the papaya salad was mixed up with the curry as an experiment. I was hell-bent on ordering this curry and I was not disappointed. The duck was tender and plentiful. There was some heat in the curry but it was nothing that would cause anyone discomfort. I am grateful that the server talked us out of ordering the jungle curry also as it would have overwhelmed the duck curry but it also gives me the opportunity to return to Longrain soon and try it out. As the clock turned ticked, the dining room and the communal tables gradually filled up. Surprisingly there was not a lot of noise and the buzz simply made the experience more jovial. The seats at the bar are comfortable and service remained attentive and chatty. This experience was the zeitgeist of the last few weeks of dining. It was not only a pleasant surprise as cocktails, wine, food, service merged in an impressive way but there was also no bill shock when ultimately we left and took refuge at the Croft Institute. I am looking forward to returning to Longrain, either with a group to take advantage of the $65 p/p banquet that is on offer but certainly to experience the other unique editions on the wine menu that sommelier Sam Christie has devised. read more

Managed to get to Longrain three times in three weeks. It's that good. I've yet to find a dish here I don't like - although the three favorites so far are the Pork Hock, Fish of the Day and Broccoli. Atmosphere is somewhat noisy given the long table layout - but very upmarket. Thai is on my list of must-eat locations whenever in Melbourne CBD. read more

Thai, but not as you know it. Very upmarket, modern Thai with a price tag to match. It is wonderful food and you get good sized portions. It has a really great bar. Interior is dimly lit with a great modern design and fit out. Long, communal tables are an interesting choice. It means bench seats, less intimacy, more noise. Not always the best choice. Still, it seems to work. There are round tables for groups, however. You can always just come for a drink. read more

If I had to choose btwn Red Spice Road I would vote Longrain every time. Quaint laneway location. Lovely servers. Nice open seating dining area with a birds' eye view into the kitchen so you could see them prep. Lovely food. My only criticism is the cost so I would only go here if a special occasion. But you definitely get what you pay for! read more

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This place was packed on a Tuesday night! We walked in and the atmosphere was great. The mix of smaller table and big communal style tables works well. Between the three of us we ordered the coconut chicken, caramelised pork and the lamb massaman curry. The chicken broth was unbelievable. I could have just drank a whole bowl of it and still walked away happy. The pork was really good too but you definitely need the vinegarette they give you with it to cut through the richness. Finally the lamb was nice enough but didn't pop like the first two dishes. We didn't actually finish that dish. Finally, the service was reasonably slow but because we were in no hurry didn't bother us too much. It might bother others. Is was almost 20 mins before they took out first drink order. And the lamb curry came out a lot later than the other dishes also-we were kind of waiting for it in the end Would I go back? Absolutely. The food was just divine and does really well to cover the service shortcomings. read more

15 min wait to get in was well worth it. Had a couple of cocktails and a starter of the bar menu whilst we waited. The staff are very friendly and as a result you don't notice the wait times for your seat. 2 of us sat at the bar for dinner and ordered 3 mains, one veg curry, caramelised pork and red curry. The pork was a stand out. The staff are very knowledgeable on the menu and great with suggestions. Prep your self for a little bill shock if you are not used to eating out but well worth it Enjoy read more

Longrain is one of those restaurants I'm always taking visitors to and will permanently have a special place in my heart. You can't book a table for any less than six (a policy which always strikes me as a little greedy) but basically anything that passes your lips at Longrain is worth the wait. The cocktails are exquisite (they have a cocktail chef... tell them roughly what you like and let them work their magic) and the meals outrageously tasty. My personal favourite is the massaman curry, when it's on the menu... and stuffed betel leaves to start that you consume by wrapping a little like DIY sushi. As thai food goes, Longrain isn't traditional but is truly authentic in a very modern way. If you want to be sure of a seat and can handle eating early, arrive within 30 minutes (20 at more popular times of the week) of opening. The later you arrive, the longer the wait. I once showed up at 7.30 and was told to expect a two hour wait for a table - and at least 45 for the bar (!). read more

I hadn't been to Longrain for a couple of years. It's a mighty slick operation. The food is excellent. Extremely tasty modern Asian food. Decent sized servings as well. We had the fish of the day - deep fried snapper I think. Plus a green curry with chicken and a yellow curry with vegetables including broccolini and eggplant. Each of them was excellent. I've always liked the space here. It still looks good and the communal tables work well. The service was superb, particularly from a wonderfully pleasant young woman from Prince Edward Island. The price at $65 a head (we had wine as well) was eminently reasonable. This is a very well run restaurant. No wonder there is always a line of people waiting to get in. read more

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Came here for lunch on Friday. It wasn't crowded so we received excellent service from the waiters. As for the food, the betel leaves with salad was a refreshing starter, followed by fried baby snapper which was delicious. The pork hock was supposedly good according to my partner who had a serve. However my green papaya salad was a bit too sour, and grilled chicken curry crispy noodles was a little too bland. The best item was the coconut & fruit drink, simply amazing. Overall a good experience, albeit at an steep price tag, read more

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Had dinner here with a group of people. Came in after 9pm on a Monday night and the joint was jumpin'! Lucky to get a table. We shared all the food. Started with the betel leaf wraps, oysters and for me the star of the night the caramelised pork and prawn on sour pineapple - all the starters were fantastic though. Mains we had crisp spatchcock (good), eggnet (great), pork hock (good), stir fried trout (great) and stir fried broccoli (great) It's great to walk away full from a restaurant with great food like this! Service was unobtrusive. Not cheap, but a good experience like this isn't.... read more

For a fresh Modern Australian take on Thai Cuisine you can't do a lot better than Longrain. The atmosphere is relaxed but classy, and service is generally good and snappy. Shared meals are the order of the day and most of the tables are ideally suited to groups of 6-8. Larger groups are well accommodated on long tables and bar seating is available for drinks or casual dining with a few smaller tables. Don't expect much traditional Asian or Thai beverages though. No soy milk. No coconut milk. No fruit juices unless it is in a mock or cocktail. Go hard on the spirits or go home, I guess. A bit disappointing that modern restaurants rely on a poor alcohol culture for their revenue... read more

Just go for the Gaeng Gari. Order it with a bowl of jasmine rice and enjoy. Walked in off the street and ate at the bar. It was an enjoyable experience. I don't get caught up in food wankerdom but this was a very nice meal and the hipster going to town making cocktails was good entertainment while waiting for the food to arrive. It's not cheap but is a hell of a lot nicer than many of the surrounding restaurants - and there was no queue! Wake up, people! No dumpling is worth queuing for! read more

This was my third visit to long grain over 18 months on different work occasions for a variety of different reason, and every time we have had the best experience. The venue is a really welcoming blend of modern bistro and communal tables; the menu is approachable to the inexperienced yet interesting to an Asian fusion enthusiast; they have a tasting menu but most people are better off ordering from the menu. Discuss with the extremely helpful staff what you typically like and how hungry you are, how spicy you like it and they will help tailor an experience to your liking. The curries range from mild to hot; dry to saucy - there is something for everyone! We had 5 mains and 3 sides for 5 people and it was more than enough, even though we were ravenous. One of the spiciest dishes of the night was actually the salad followed by the dry red curry duck - both were highlights of the table. Save room for dessert too as there are some really interesting concepts there, even the palm sugar ice cream and coconut sorbet were delicious. read more

I went with some friends last Tuesday nigh prior to seeing Puppet Up! at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2014. Enjoyed every aspect of our meal and will be returning again soon. read more

My absolute favorite restaurant in Melbourne! This modern Thai cuisine will blow you away with the simplicity but yet intense flavors found in the dishes! My favorites are the betel leaf topped with prawn, mint and chilli paste the caramelised pork hock with chilli vinegar and garlic Absolutely to die for! read more

My fiancé and I went to dinner at long grain recently after having had a positive experience in the past. We spent 1 hour at the bar waiting for a table to be moved to the other side of the bar to eat our dinner. Why they didn't serve us dinner an hour earlier since we were at the bar anyway I will never understand. The food was lacking in flavour and imagination. Our local Thai is much better and we would never have to wait an hour to be seated. Lesson learned we will not be going there again anytime soon. read more

Very rarely will I give 5 stars, but if I could, I would give 10 stars. Longrain has figured out how modern Thai food should be created. The Pomelo betel leaf appetizer is one of the most amazing bites of food I have experienced in a long while. Loaded with flavor and texture that constantly changes while you are chewing that most delectable bite. Braised Tasmanian beef cheek - delectably buttery and perfectly spicy. Lon, which is shredded chicken that has been slow cooked in coconut milk and served with lettuce leaves, endive, cucumber slices and green beans, all used as eating utensils. Egg Net salad - fresh, crisp, lite, YUM. I have eaten here 3 times in less than a month and each time I have discovered some of the best Thai style food I have ever tasted. I am a Thai foodie and Longrain has taken the food beyond traditional Thai. Longrain is a MUST try. read more