Josef M.
Yelp
When we arrived at Wild Rose Thai, we already had high expectations from a dinner there on a former trip to Bend. We had truly enjoyed it before. This time around, we were once again wholly enamored.
To drink, we had the "basil smash" and the "Thai me up"--the former was not too sweet and had an herbal flavor with a pleasant medicinal effect (it cured a stomach ache). The Thai me up was a little sweet in a way that complemented the zing from the citrus.
To eat, we shared the butterflies, gang om, and pad woon sen, the latter two with tofu & spice level 3 (which was appropriate for spice-tolerant folk -- any more spice could potentially obscure the delicate and complex flavors).
The butterflies were light and crunchy with a buttery crab and cream cheese filling. They were served with a sweet chili dipping sauce, that was reminiscent of a classic duck sauce.
The gang om was a share-sized soup served over a flame, which had a similar flavor profile to Tom yum, albeit more umami than the classic sweet and sour soup. This was presented with rice, and it had a very nice balance of spices--of which we picked out lemongrass, lime leaves, cilantro, Thai basil, and galangal. It was familiar-tasting and novel all at once.
We also shared the pad woon sen, which had delicate glass noodles accompanying stir-fried egg and veggies that maintained their integrity, while being tender at the same time. Tonight the chef's veggies included a seasonal variety of snow peas, cabbage, carrots, onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and mung bean sprouts. There was a subtle char blanketed by the overall umami tones. This dish was very filling, while being satisfyingly fresh.
The service was excruciatingly quick--we almost wish we could have waited longer! Be prepared for all your food to come out whenever it is ready (which may be just a couple minutes after ordering!)
The ambiance was casual, yet classy. The restaurant prioritized the quality of the food over the superficial presentation that fine dining restaurants typically embellish. We particularly loved all the dried roses draped above us. It felt homey and authentic, reflected by the suggestion of family-style dining. The food was also very affordable, considering the quality and quantity of the food served. Cannot wait to return next time we are in Bend! C'est la vie!