Erin Davenport
We love this place. Run by two brothers, they make food with so much love, care, and creativity. The menu shifts each week but they keep the website updated. A few parking spots in front and more around the back. Usually if you get there by 5, 5:30 you can get a table. 6, 6:30 is more dicey since their seating is so limited
… moreLam Nguyen
It pains me to write a critical review of my once favorite Thai fine dining options in town. I loved this bistro when they were completely focused on the dining part, and had full table service, but perhaps this isn’t what their vision is anymore. I am reviewing specifically the bistro component, less so the used books part.
The service is fantastic, never any complaints, everything came out in reasonable time, and everyone was extremely cordial.
The criticism comes to the food, where for the price point of the restaurant it’s reasonable to expect the food to be elevated past another fast Thai food restaurant. But I think the food here fell short of that unfortunately. Each of the dishes were quite unfortunate in their flavor profiles while reasonable plated for my rib dish.
The meat was braised, and the texture was not something to particularly envy. It was quite tender, I do give it that, however the flavor profile just felt flat. The salad was fine, yet was overly dressed with what I would determine to be fish sauce, making it too salty. The tofu vegetarian curry dish was also unfortunate because it had near no flavor except for a component of spice from some pepper. As another insult, the rice was not cooked well. I felt that the rice was overly dry.
I would love to give you guys another chance. I recall fondly of a sous-vide duck curry and your other chicken curry you served 3-4 years prior, which were divine. I have been wanting to come ever since, and this time was quite disappointing.
… moreTony Duarte
Best Thai restaurant in Columbia. They do their own take on the dishes so it’s not “pure authentic Thai cuisine” but Thai recipes infused with some Guatemalan cuisine some times or just simply experiments it seems to me from the chefs. But it works, we read the menu every week and when we see something that sounds new and exciting, we go. If you are not an adventurous eater, it might not be for you, but if you like new culinary experiences, give it a go, in Columbia, you won’t find anything better.
… morePenny Dupre
You had me at Thai + used book store. We were only in the area for a couple nights and I am always looking for unique things to try and this place kept popping up on my radar. It’s tiny, only open 2 nights a week, and has a rotating menu that you can see online. What’s on the menu is what they have so if you don’t see it, it’s probably not available. It was a little bit of a challenge to feed our sometimes picky kids but my husband and I enjoyed it immensely. The kids were entertained with the assortment of board games available and the bookshop. Perfect service.
… moreanna Harper
Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food and excellent service! I had the ginger tofu and my sister had the lamb meatballs. They were both so good!
… moreAmrata Kamat
Great food.. Quality as wells as quantity of the food is good. This place is near to the main road. We have to park the vehicle on the road itself because parking space is less. Food is little expensive but tasty.. Staffs are friendly.. We can define this restaurant as a cozy place.. Drinks are also available if needed..
… moreElias Ramzy
Amazing food, staff and hospitality. Reminds me of a library, with the beautiful and lovely addition of a restaurant. Rotating menus with exquisite taste. Highly recommend. Coincidently they are Guatemalan based, and I’m half lol.
… moreRick T
A true gem located near five points in Columbia SC with only two dinner services weekly. Friday and Saturday only with a set menu of their choosing at least for now. I’ve come to love Thai food and this place got me hooked many years ago I found the place. The restaurant also doubles as a used book store. They also have wine clubs or memberships. Parking is free and they open at 5:00PM with bar seats or a few tables to eat dinner. Great spot !
… moreCharlie Walters
I don’t say this lightly: Baan Sawan is one of the best kept secrets in Columbia. Service, food, and atmosphere are 10/10.
My son and I visited tonight to order take out and browse used books. We left with the best takeout I’ve had in years and a box of books from one of the most thoughtfully curated collections I’ve ever seen. Dine in, take out… just don’t miss this gem of a restaurant.
… moreAmber Brown
Small place so we had to wait a while to get in. But the food was great. Prices $20-25 so not to steep. They cook every thing to order which shows in the quality but makes for a long wait. Appetizers come out fast though. Staff was friendly and keeps you informed on timing. The curry was great duck cooked to perfection. If you don’t want spicy definitely get a 1 on the scale of 1 to 5. I got a 2 and there was definitely a kick.
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