Samosas stuffed with Red Norland potatoes, caramelized onions, and carrots, wrapped in pastry skin, and served with coconut curry sauce
Pad Kee Mow made with flat rice noodles, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, basil, onions, tomatoes, and pork
Hat Yai Fried Chicken made with Mary’s Chicken, turmeric, herbs, fried shallots, cucumber, pickles, yellow dipping curry with potato, blue rice, and roti
Left: Classic Thai Tea
Right: Summer Spritz made with Aperol, sparkling wine, pressed grapefruit, and lemongrass
For what is most likely my final birthday dinner of the year, I visited Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, an excellent Thai restaurant located on Water Street in Jack London Square. Although I've only been to this location and the Mission location once, I knew it was the perfect place to celebrate. Farmhouse Kitchen is known for serving intricate Thai dishes as well as the popular street food we crave in an incredible space with views of the marina and Alameda.
My dining companion and I ordered two drinks: a Classic Thai Tea and a Summer Spritz, one of their perfectly made cocktails. If the mound of shaved ice plopped in the Thai iced tea is any indication, Farmhouse Kitchen wants to dazzle their guests as they keep presentation in mind. The Summer Spritz—made with Aperol, sparkling wine, pressed grapefruit, and lemongrass—was quite refreshing. As for food, we started with the Samosas made with Red Norland potatoes, caramelized onion, and carrots. These were hands down the best samosas I've ever had. The pastry dough crust was so flaky and decadent, while the coconut curry sauce complemented the samosas well.
We then shared two entrees: one a comfort dish, the other more adventurous. The Pad Kee Mow—made with flat rice noodles, bamboo shoots, bell pepper, basil, onion, and tomato—had a more dynamic flavor than I'm used to. The Hat Yai Fried Chicken featured Southern-style fried Mary’s Chicken, fried shallots, cucumber, pickles, yellow dipping curry with potato, blue rice, and roti. The fried chicken would please any fan of the dish, while the roti was on par with others we've enjoyed.
Overall, this was an incredible experience. Since this restaurant is well liked, I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time. Next time I stop by, I'd like to try another cocktail as well as a special like the Basil Bomb or Kai Sam Ros. If you've visited Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine recently, what do you recommend trying?
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
336 Water St., Oakland, CA 94607
Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 2pm & 5 - 9pm, Friday 11am - 2pm & 5 - 10pm, Saturday 12 - 10pm, Sunday 12 - 9pm
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