Arun's Thai Restaurant

"Chef Arun Samponthavivat has spent more than 20 years showing off the versatility of Thai cuisine with his tasting menus, but those who can’t spend $120 per person can try some of his top dishes a la carte. Aside from offering top notch versions of staples like shumai and pad see ew, the Irving Park restaurant serves more novel and gorgeously presented dishes like grilled salmon in kaffir lime-scented coconut curry. Book a table through Tock." - Samantha Nelson

"This special occasion Thai restaurant opened in 1987 and is unapologetically formal—servers wear jackets and every table is draped in a crisply ironed tablecloth. Arun’s serves a nine-course tasting menu for $100, and it’s a back-to-back parade of beautifully plated dishes like khanom chine, and miang kum. And if the tasting menu feels like too much of a commitment, they have an a la carte menu as well, with dishes like pad see ew and duck curry. You’ll still get the same excellent service and cocktails if you go a la carte, but you can also worry less about having an “extend parking” reminder interrupting your meal." - john ringor, adrian kane

"This special occasion spot opened in 1987 and remains unapologetically formal—servers wear jackets and there will be a crisply ironed tablecloth on each table. Arun’s serves a nine-course tasting menu for $120, and it comes with beautifully plated dishes like khanom chine, and miang kum. They recently started serving a separate a la carte menu as well, with dishes like pad see ew and duck curry. You’ll still get the same great service and cocktails if you go a la carte, but you can also worry less about remembering to re-up your parking app." - john ringor, veda kilaru, adrian kane

"Arun Sampanthavivat has been setting the standard for Thai food in Chicago for more than three decades. His Albany Park restaurant has received numerous accolades for its upscale prix fixe menus of elevated Southeast Asian staples. Though the dining room was remodeled in 2017, little else has changed over the years and Sampanthavivat continues to impress diners with the skills and techniques that have made him a Chicago legend." - Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff

"While most Thai spots in Chicago lean toward the casual side, Arun’s serves a pre-fixe menu with eight-, and 12-course options. Each is elegantly presented and served in an equally adorned restaurant space filled with chef Arun Sampanthavitat’s Thai baubles. A dungeness crab cake and a poached lobster tail are a few menu highlights that exemplify his ornate take on Southeast Asian flavors. In addition, interestingly crafted cocktails that contain intriguing ingredients like pineapple and peach barbecue sauce purée make for a fascinating meal. While Arun’s remains open for dine-in service, customers can also order to-go online." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman