Thai Kitchen Restaurant is very similar to a lot of suburban Thais in Sydney - kitschy wooden…read moredecor, located in a nondescript shopping area.. Seemingly fairly average.
The food is pretty similar to most of these other suburban Thais, too - it tastes good, and is hot and fresh, but the choices aren't exactly inspired. The same choices could be seen in Thai restaurants all over the country, although probably not done quite as well.
The differentiating factor for Thai Kitchen Restaurant is none of the above, but the service - it's actually amazing. Upon entering, the friendly proprietor asks you how you are (and seems to actually care!), where you'd like to sit, how your day's been, etc etc. The little kids dining on the table next to us were not only offered crayons and paper, but then complimented on their beautiful drawings, which were then hung up in the restaurant!! For regular customers, don't even worry - he knows your name, where you live (not in a creepy way), how you've been a little sick or are looking forward to a ski trip - in short, it's a personalised and engaged service, the likes of which are rarely seen in Sydney today.
The food's arrival is quick, and equally caring - is everything ok? Do you like the food? Is there anything that can be done? None of this is in an overbearing way, but a caring and familial approach to giving customers exactly what they want.
At the end of the meal, the bill is surprisingly low (excluding the large sales-related tip that I leave), and my tummy and my heart are full - one with delicious food, one with affection for this gorgeous little restaurant.