Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine

Doesn't Recommend

sandiee7

Joined 6 years ago

AWESOME Happy Hour Food!.....ridiculous pricing for drinks.. The Happy Hour food is really good, really affordable, and really worth making the trip to Basil Bar- that is, if you don't mind paying EXTRA for things such as tonic, OJ, and cranberry juice. The menu says, "Well Drinks, $3.50"- which is completely reasonable (considering some of their specialty drinks are $7) & to any normal bar-goer, that means drinks such as Vodka Tonic, Screwdriver, Rum & Coke, etc. Well, at Basil Bar (or should I say "Cold Stone Creamery") that means "only the bottom shelf alcohol, folks" - any additional "mix-in" will cost ya. No joke- it's itemized on the bill for all to see and gasp at.

Really, folks - if you want customers to return to your bar and/or recommend your bar to others- I suggest you stop charging for "mix-ins." That, or up your "well drink" price to $4 and put "includes complimentary OJ, cranberry, and tonic!" in parentheses.

Recommends

gabi2008

Joined 6 years ago

Yummy food, great service. I live just a few blocks from Sweet Basil and eat here at least 2-3 times a month. Their service has always been prompt and friendly. Their pad ke mao (like pad thai with wide noodles) and tom ka (coconut soup) are fantastic. My only small complaint is their spicyness rating is not very consistent. Sometimes the "medium" is medium, and sometimes it is mild. This is an excellent choice for lunch or to go. Their outdoor patio is really nice too.

Doesn't Recommend

youngcarlos

Joined 6 years ago

Worst Along Broadway. On Broadway, there are sooooo many other Thai restaurants that you would have to be searching for the worst food to have picked this one. OK. So that's harsh and extreme, which is going to be a total write off to anyone reading these, but here's the deal. It's true. Really. The food at the other places is so much better and combined with the prices of the Basil, there's really no reason to go to it. Unless you want to go to their bar and be extremely distracted by the 4'x5' projected sports TV in the front room, or in the black-lit make out room residing to the back. Ok. So there wasn't any make out back there; I'm just spewing here. Overall, if you're still reading this, you're much better off going to one of the other places if you're going for the food. Which I was. And now I'm disappointed. Oh so Disappointed. Big frowny face Disappointed.

Recommends

pdx1

Joined 6 years ago

Sweet Basil = Great Thai Food!. This was some of the best and freshest tasting Thai food I have had in a while. No, the service was not perfect (a bit on the slow side) but everyone was friendly and helpful. The pace is relaxed so if perhaps time is a crucial factor it may be better to phone ahead to go. For us it was nice to spend some time over a good meal.

As far as portion size all I can say is that I did not leave hungry! The atmosphere is pleasant and next time we will take advantage of the patio seating. I will recommend this place to others and look forward to going back soon!

Recommends

pdxconsumer3

Joined 7 years ago

Decent, kind of expensive, though.. The Crab Rangoons and Pad Kee Mao are great. Service is iffy depending on staff and business. The owner will ocassionally make deliveries, himself, and is always pleasant. After some staff adjustments I'm sure they'll be back up to speed the way there were a few years ago. The patio is nice but avoid the bar downstairs. The bartender is not nice .

Recommends

madjoy

Joined 7 years ago

Maybe I've just been lucky every time.... I have honestly never had a bad experience here, in fact, I just CAME from there and thought "I need to give them a shout out". My friends and I usually go to the Basil Bar downstairs so we can watch TV and chit chat...but the drinks are to die for, the bartender was above and BEYOND helpful, the specials during the week are great, but mainly.....the food is lovely. I love the flavors, I don't get the felling of "cheap filler" and the Oh My God appetizers ALONE are worth the trip. Great place. I had a very tasty beef salad that was PERFECT. I brought my friend who is vegetarian and she was pleased with all of her choices. I had some bites of hers and it was fresh, fresh, fresh tasting.

Recommends

leighla

Joined 7 years ago

Perfect!. I agree with all comments from the previous review.

The staff is wonderful, kind and personable.

The food is superb. Fresh wrapped is good if it is not fried. All soup is scrumptious. The fried lobster bites are awsome (especially with the sauce)... the list goes on. Eat anything and you will be happy. Drinks are great and made by a bartender who knows their stuff.

Big screen that is showing cartoons (or sportscenter) as you are listening to music.

I miss the live DJ, but the staff generally has a good choice in music (or Aqua Teen Hunger Force). Not too crowded... and to me, this is the best part. This is an intimate and cozy bar with a non-smoking room in the front, a smoking room in the back (with great wall-art), and a couple tables out front during the dry season. Highly recommended! You must go there and try it out yourself!

Doesn't Recommend

foodie123456789

Joined 7 years ago

unimpressive food. It looks so cute and had such nice reviews that I had to try it... once... I'm not sure what the appeal here is for other diners, but it can't be the bland food. Wasn't even worth a second try.

Doesn't Recommend

moonienyc

Joined 7 years ago

Very Disappointing!. We recently sat inside for dinner here, after having moved back to Portland. What a disappointment. The service was appalling - it took 20 minutes just to get the wine we ordered - and the food was not good! In fact, we declined left-overs (which we never do at Thai). I really loved this place years ago - I hope it comes back around.

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fuser

Joined 7 years ago

A declining star. This was my favorite Thai place in NE and when I moved away from Portland I always looked forward to visiting SB when I came home for a visit. The last time I went I noticed little differences like the portions seemed smaller or a scare 3 or 4 shrimp in a whole dish. Confirmed by former regulars and coupled with all the dishes seemed to have increases $1 or so Sweet Basil has gone from a great spot to an average overpriced restaurant. Too bad.