Siam Thai Eatery - Review - South Loop - Chicago - The Infatuation

"Most South Loop dining happens out of convenience—either because you’re attending the Ficus Owners Of America expo at McCormick Place or don’t want an $11 hot dog at Soldier Field. But Siam Thai Eatery’s exciting, unique dishes give a few more reasons to eat in the area. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pause Unmute Siam Thai is on Michigan Ave, so it can get busy with a hodgepodge of out-of-towners, office workers, and grad students looking to add “Esquire” to their name. Servers zip around with iPads and plates of pad thai or green curry, adding to the buzziness. But while those classic dishes are solid, the less common ones are why we like having a casual dinner under Siam Thai’s planter-filled ceiling. Each spoonful of crab pomelo salad has a dynamic mix of fiery, fruity, and salty flavors. Beef larb shows up as citrusy filet mignon tartare. And massaman curry gets a juicy tomahawk upgrade that feels very at home in a city that loves steakhouses. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pause Unmute Siam Thai Eatery also has its share of shortcomings, like dry chicken satay or kao soi curry that leaves us yearning for more seasoning. Sometimes, produce-focused dishes can have an off day if certain fruits or vegetables aren’t fully ripe. But a meal here punches well above average. And when that crab pomelo salad is in prime form, it's spicy, refreshing, and an absolute knockout. Food Rundown Larb Tartare The tender beef fully absorbs all of the zippy flavors from chilies, shallots, and herbs, while roasted rice and taro chips add some nice nuttiness and textural contrast. Get this to start. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Crab Pomelo Salad For such a small salad, this packs a punch. Each spoonful of chilies, crab, pomelo, and dried shrimp bursts with umami, sweetness, and spice, plus some tartness from the lime dressing. We also like the different textures, from the crunch of the cashews to the citrusy pop of each individual pomelo kernel. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Money Bag Dumplings Our favorite fried appetizer. Each dumpling looks like a jumbo version of the Monopoly money bag play piece and comes with juicy shrimp and pork stuffed into a thin, crispy wrapper. They taste great alone, but use the plum sauce on the side for some sweetness. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Tomahawk Short Rib Massaman Curry The Massaman curry is creamy, sweet, and punched up with lots of cinnamon and added savoriness from the well-seasoned pieces of ribeye. It comes with potatoes and roti, but we like to order some extra rice to help soak up the curry. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Duck Red Curry If your curry preferences usually involve poultry, add this to your order. The duck meat is incredibly tender while still having a crispy skin, and the one-two punch of pineapple and lychee gives it some sweetness. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Steamed Live Striped Bass This is a perfect dish for a larger group. The delicate meat is fully flavored with lemongrass, galangal, lime, and just enough chili for a slight kick. While the fish is definitely the star, don’t neglect the cabbage that’s covered in the tangy broth. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pad Kee Mao If you’re of the mindset that noodles are mandatory, this is a good option. The rice noodles have a nice firm-to-supple ratio, and have just enough saltiness and spice. photo credit: Kim Kovacik" - John Ringor