You Come Here Often? Oh All the Thaim

Ha Ha. I really do go to Sea Thai at least once a month if not more, and it’s undoubtedly one of my favorite restaurants in Sonoma County. If they had a punch card to get the tenth meal free or something, it would be a dream come true!

Nina, who I grew up dancing with, took me to Sea Thai when it was still on Petaluma Boulevard on one of the last days of school sophomore year of high school. I don’t know if it was the anticipation that summer was 2 days away or that we’d walked all the way from school (ok, it wasn’t actually that far, but 1 mile seems like 5 when it’s 80 degrees out and you’re hungry and dramatic and sixteen years old), but I became instantly obsessed. My mind was blown. It still is!

I remember pulling together twenty dollars from my nonexistent income and paying for half of the meal in quarters. Yeah, I used to be that person who paid with leftover change and babysitting cash …Sometimes I still am that person.

The first thing I ever ordered was the Peanut Noodle bowl and a classic Thai iced tea. I don’t order the Thai iced tea anymore, sadly, because after years of lying to myself that I was drinking coconut creamer and that my stomach was hurting for an unrelated reason, I finally asked what was in it and was told that they did, in fact, use dairy creamer. Dreams=crushed, but I can still remember how delicious it was and would recommend it to anyone who isn't lactose intolerant!

Nina and I sat in the restaurant for 2 hours killing time and staying out of the heat, somehow managing to eat every last bite... If you’ve ever been to Sea Thai you know how huge their portions are! Although they don’t have a restaurant in Petaluma anymore, it’s worth the trek to both Coddingtown or Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa. Nina goes to school out of town but makes a point to go each time she visits home: “Every time I drive past its old location I get a little wistful and have to plan an excursion to get my fix.” Even though it’s about a thirty minute drive with evening traffic from where I live, it's worth the time.

I went with my parents just last week. My mom got the Holy Basil Chicken rice bowl which was so heavy on the Thai chilis that night that it did not Hurt So Good.

My dad got the Sautéed Jalapeño Pork rice bowl and luckily the spice came on the side, because for someone who tolerates spice well—YIKES! We both agreed that the heat was nuts. Sometimes they definitely overdo it on the spice to the point where it’s almost unbearable—in fact, one time I ordered the [Spicy] Lemongrass Noodle Soup which usually has a bit of a kick, and it was so hot that I only ended up eating a few bites, so it really is a hit or miss with the spicy dishes (usually a hit though).

I’ve tried quite a few items on the menu but obviously have my favorites: The Spicy Lemongrass Noodle Soup, hold the prawns, add extra vegetables, as well as the Peanut Noodles. The Little Basket is a wonderful, light appetizer but what I love most is their papaya salad. It’s so fresh and quite spicy which I’m a huge fan of but, once again, it can really kill you if they’ve decided to make it extra hot that day for no particular reason. It’s a fun gamble!

Whether you want to burn off your tastebuds or sit down for a delightfully refreshing Thai meal, both of Santa Rosa’s Sea Thai locations are a sure bet for a fresh, flavorful meal. Each restaurant has a completely different vibe to it—the Coddingtown restaurant has a more sophisticated feel, while if you’re looking to go deep sea diving, check out the Montgomery Village spot (the entire restaurant is ocean themed).

I need to plan my next cruise to Sea Thai--the ocean is calling. Ahoy!