Q Thai Bistro - Quaint Restaurant in Queens

Q Thai Bistro - 108-25 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills NY 11375
718.261.6599
E/F/G/R/V Train to Forest Hills/71st Avenue
www.qthaibistrony.com

Q Thai has been on my to-try list for a while now, recommended by a co-worker who lives in the area. So when I received a great coupon for a free bottle of wine or a complimentary entree, it spurred my visit.

Atmosphere:
Located in a quiet neighborhood, a ways away from busy Austin Street, Q Thai is truly a neighborhood gem. It's on the intimate side, dimly lit and somewhat narrow. I like its colorful decor, the theme being the game of Twister, which you' ll notice hanging on the wall.

There's a tiny kitchen in the back that you could look into, reminding me of the kitchen at Danny Brown, only smaller. I like being a food voyeur--there's something open and honest about it.

The bar at Q is also nice and a good place to hang out, whether you're waiting for your dining companions to show or if you're looking to enjoy a glass of vino.

Food:
Overall, this was one of the better quality Thai meals that we've eaten, although the steep prices encouraged us to order modestly. Our choices included:

Drunken Noodles with Chicken - Sampling this dish at the Taste of Queens , I was curious about how it would taste when made to order. It was lovely--the thick noodles were smooth and eggy and I loved the garlicky chicken, dressed with basil, chili and bell peppers. I expected it to be super filling, but it was just perfect and I was able to finish my portion without feeling overstuffed. I'd recommend this dish for non-adventurous Thai food eaters, as it's fairly safe and not too spicy.

Q Basil Burger - Dan ordered a Thai style burger with massaman curry, Thai basil and a side of sweet potato fries. I tried a bite and loved the tender burger meat--it was definitely of good quality and cooked to perfection. I welcomed the fragrant basil, as it woke the senses and definitely made you stop and think about the uniqueness of this dish. Dan liked it as well but complained after the meal of "tummy trouble." I won't go into details but let's just say that this dish is heavy--I think it was the curry.

Pad Thai and Stir Fry Noodles - Our friends Dan and Crystal ordered noodle dishes and overall, they were pleased. Crystal remarked at how fresh and delicious everything was and that the flavors in the Pad Thai agreed with her. She's usually wary of this entree because of its heavy sauce, but this version was just right. Dan's noodles looked pretty much like mine, except that they were stir-fried, while mine were boiled.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was nice and our meal progressed without a hitch. One issue I had with her however, is that she gave us a weird vibe when we didn't order an appetizer or dessert and took advantage of that free bottle of wine. I couldn't help but get the feeling that she expected a bigger order out of us and was disappointed. The hostesses--who I think are the owners--were really friendly and warm.

For a Thai dinner, which would cost $20 or less per person in Astoria, this one set us back $27 per person for just one entree each. It's definitely a more upscale meal and if you're planning a visit, I'd count on spending a decent amount of dough. Appetizers range between $8.95-$11.95, entrees are $15.95-$27.95 but they do have a reasonable lunch special prix-fixe--entree, drink, coffee/tea for $12.95.

2 Mmmms