You could eat every night in a different Thai restaurant in the lower north shore and still be going next Christmas. I grew up at a time when the local Chinese was ubiquitous - as still seems to be the case in country towns - but now it is definitely the green chicken curry.
It can't be easy for these businesses to differentiate themselves, but I bet they can't afford to get it wrong either. In my mind I have 'stop-on-the-way-home take-away Thai', 'eat-in-Thai', 'slap-up-meal-Thai' and 'quick-before-the-movie-Thai'.
Thai Nine is 'eat-in-Thai' - the ambience is calm and Asian, the service friendly and prompt, and the quality of the food warrants lingering rather than scoffing out of take-away plastic. Dishes are just a little bit fancier than the norm - many of the same dish names but just made that little bit more carefully. And some of the more unusual ones are worth diverting to too - especially the crystal prawns. We've enjoyed the set menus for groups - though the higher priced versions are infinitely better than the cheapest. Not bad wine by the glass, either. read more