It had been quite a while since we last visited Royal Thai Dining at 8174 East Brainerd Road. In fact, the last time was shortly after they first opened; so it’s probably been a couple of years.

Inside the restaurant is very nice and cozy – dim lighting, candles, nice tablecloths, and lovely, heavy dishes.

We went for dinner on a recent Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed the food. For starters Wayne tried Shrimp in the Blanket. This is deep fried marinated shrimp wrapped in roll wrappers served with homemade sweet chili sauce ($8). The shrimp was a decent size (we were expecting the minced variety). Usually he skips the sauces, but found this to be quite good.

Wayne did not order his usual Nam Sod because here, at Royal Thai, they prepare it with chicken rather than pork and pork is his preference. It seems that most places serving Nam Sod prepare it with pork, and if it is chicken, it is referred to as Larb Chicken – but then, I could be incorrect on that.

I went with my usual cup of Tom Kha soup, only here they give you a choice of chicken or shrimp ($4). I decided to try the shrimp since I usually have it with chicken. I found the shrimp to be very tender and delicious. However, I would prefer it without the lime juice because it was a bit tart for my taste.

For his entree, Wayne chose Royal Thai Ocean Sizzling ($17). This consists of a seafood mix including “shrimp, scallops, mussels and fish balls stir-fried with minced garlic, fresh Thai chili, bell peppers, strips of carrot, snow peas, baby corn, basil leaves and shrimp paste served in a hot sizzling plate”. When it was brought to our table it sounded like a plate of fajitas!

He really liked the taste of his seafood, but felt “hot” at Royal Thai was not as “hot” as his “four peppers” elsewhere. He said he might try Thai Hot next time. It’s difficult to judge the heat from one place to the next because they all seem to have their different ideas on what is really hot.

I chose the Masaman Chicken. This was very good with a LOT of chicken (no skimping here). The chicken was simmered with onion, potato, carrot and cashew nuts. I would definitely order this dish again. I do not remember ever having seen potatoes at a Thai restaurant, but maybe it’s just that the particular items I have ordered didn’t include them.

Instead of a large container of rice to share, you each get a small round patty of rice on a saucer. That’s OK with me since I don’t eat much of the rice anyway.

Since we were so full, we opted not to have dessert. They do offer Golden Banana, Royal Mango Jello, Royal Thai Dessert (crispy banana pockets with vanilla ice cream), Rambutan in Syrup, and Vanilla Ice Cream. Prices for desserts are $4 and $6.

Entree prices at Royal Thai are $10 to $17 and include such items as Salmon Panang, Spicy Basil, Pad Thai, and Pad See Ew.

Hours for Royal Thai Dining are Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. They are closed Sunday and Monday.

Check them out – I’m sure you will find the food and service very pleasant and enjoyable.