Bamboo Leaf- Bradley Beach, NJ
I love love love Thai food, so I am always looking for great Thai foods in the area, even the state! Bamboo Leaf is by far my favorite Thai food spot in New Jersey. I must admit that I have not eaten at every single Thai place in the state, but out of the ten I have tried, this one is #1 for me.
Bamboo Leaf is a BYO. There is also a liquor store across the street in case you forgot your bottle of wine. For food, my favorite dish here is the pad kee mao with chicken! The American name is Drunken noodles. Oh my goodness! This is amazing. The noodles are flat stir fried noodles and it comes with chicken, red bell peppers, green peppers, and onions. You can actually get it with beef, shrimp, or a mixture of chicken, shrimp etc. I sometimes get beef, but I think I personally prefer the chicken. It’s made on the spicy side, but I always ask for it extra spicy hot! The chili and the basil give it its unique spiciness. It is so flavorful, and the texture of the noodles are the best part for me. The tom yum soup is also amazing! A little on the spicy side as well, this soup boasts amazing flavors. It is described as “clear, spicy, and sour soup.” For those of you not into spicy food, Paul always gets the chicken pad thai. The pad thai is probably one of the most common Thai dishes. It is a thin, stir-fried rice noodle with tofu, shallots, and sometimes eggs. It has a peanut taste to it and is often served with a lime wedge on the side. The menu here also offers curries, salads, and even fish entrees. This place is a gem if you enjoy Thai food!
The atmosphere is the only thing I cannot rave about. It is a cute, authentic Thai looking interior, however nothing about the atmosphere adds value to the dining experience as a whole. It is very casual. I also think that in the daytime for lunch, they can try and make the restaurant feel a little brighter. There is a dim presence here, but for dinner, it is something they can get away with. But at the end of the day if you’re looking for really awesome Thai food, this factor to me becomes less important.
Customer service is great. The waiters are very attentive, and the service is always quick. It is a family owned restaurant and is run very well.
If you love Thai food, this place is a must. I highly recommend it!
