| Address | 5878 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Thur, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Fri, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sat, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sun, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. |
| Phone | (703) 820-5775 |
| Fax | (703) 820-6206 |
| Website | http://www.duangrats.com |
A long time favorite, I am still bowled over by the array of dining options on the Duangrat's menu. We opened with an order of the mouth-watering crab-stuffed chicken wings and the equally pleasing sea shell bites (crispy rice paper filled with shrimp). And while my colleagues elected to stick with more traditional fare -- one got the Tofu Penang while another took the Beef Penang for a test drive -- I decided to give the Seafood Jambalaya a whirl. The consensus was that my gamble paid off. My plate was deliciously spicy and generously topped off with an abundance of fresh seafood -- mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops were featured in every forkfull -- and embedded in some homemade sticky rice. It was truly a grand experience and a fresh reminder of the gourmet gem that is Duangrat's.
Duangrat's is truly the area's premier Thai restaurant. From the elaborate dresses of the waitstaff and decor of the dining area to the beauty of each dish brought to the table, you always feel you are getting your money's worth. The service can be slow, especially during dim sum if the place is full, but this Thai version of dim sum is not to be missed. At first I was a little worried about bringing the little ones but everyone made them feel at home. A great place to dine.
This place has a solid reputation, as is much deserved.
The servers are always attentive and enjoyable.
The food is always flavorful and Amer-exotic, not sure of authenticity (I've not been to Thailand).
Skewers are my favorite appetizer.
Entrees vary and I haven't been let down yet.
The atmosphere at Duangrat's is really fun and unique, though you might not guess it from the outside. The Happy Family Pad Thai special was just about the best pad thai I've ever had, and it included a fried soft shell crab. The portions are big and the prices are reasonable.
Duangrat's is spoken about as if it is the Thai food mecca of Northern Virginia. While the food is good, its true strength is the diversity of its menu. The dishes that it prepares which are common amongst Thai restaurants are well done, but not head and shoulders above the competition. But the sheer size and range of the menu, including highly uncommon or totally unique dishes, makes it worth the trip. It is also very vegetarian-friendly. I highly recommend the coconut battered plantains as an appetizer.
