Twelve Spices, Thai-Laos, Canley Heights

There are so many Thai-Laos restaurants in the Cabramatta/Fairfield area that it's hard to keep up.  Twelve Spices has been around for a long time, but under many different owners.  This latest incarnation is ultra hip, a-la Holy Basil, and it seems to be working.

On a Friday night, Twelve Spices was packed and it's a pretty mixed crowd, young Viet lads in their trendy t-shirts, Asian families, local birthday party of twenty from a Caucasian background.



So, ok, the place looks good and the menu design is cute, but for me it's the relaxed and very friendly service that attracts.  Young Asian and Caucasian waiters are unique enough.  But these lads and ladettes are friendly too - that's unheard of!  As you can see in the video, our waiter even sat down at the table to take our order.

Katin Thai, Fairfield

Katin is a new Thai restaurant in a small group of shops on Fairfield Street, near a lawn mower shop and a newsagent.  I've been there once already, but I was alone at that time, which didn't give me much of a chance to sample the menu.

Yum Sab, Fairfield (Thai-Lao)

Of the many Thai-Lao places in the area, and there are many, and many are good, my favourite is Yum Sab in Fairfield.  As with many of the locals, you don't go here for decor, ambiance etc, but the food is honest and good.

The duck salad is probably my favourite, distinctive, but not too gamey, great sauce and crisp, fresh vegetables.

The Thai massaman beef curry is a melt in the mouth sensation - always perfectly cooked... watch out for the potatoes though.. often undercooked and hard; tonight they could have been in for 2-3 more minutes.

The pad kha prow (basil chili chicken stir fry) was a little too mild for me, fresh ingredients helps and the sauce thick and flavoursome.