Basil Canteen

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pprichard

Joined 3 years ago

If you like Thai food, go here hungry!. I've always been a fan of Basil Thai (same owners) so I was excited to try the Canteen. Think Thai food in a hip bar atmosphere. The menu is loaded with great dishes, and many of them you won't see at your regular Thai restaurants. One warning, the portions are generous and if you are sharing (which you almost have to so you can taste everything), don't go overboard ordering. But save room for the fried banana and coconut ice-cream for dessert - best dessert I've had in a long time. The only item I didn't love was my cocktail, which was vodka, cranberry and pear. At $9 it tasted like something I coud make at home for a lot less. Stick to beer and wine and spend your money on the food, which was delicious! Great place to meet before a show at Slim's.

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onemans

Joined 5 years ago

Great Upscale Thai street food. I know upscale "street" food may sound like a strange description, but that's what I think of. Anyone who is Thai, or has spent a lot of time in Thailand knows that Street food is the best!!!!!!! Basil Canteen does a great job of recreating some of the great flavors of Thai street food in a more upscale environment. Basil Canteen is in the old Public restaurant building (near SushiGroove and Wish in SOMA). Don't be scared away by my "upscale" description, b/c that does NOT mean pricey. I just mean upscale for street food. I think the average dish there is maybe $6 or $7 (maybe a bit more). I would definitely recommend almost any of the skewers (beef and shrimp were great), and I really enjoyed the Lamb chops, lamb curry, and Papaya Salad w/ Beef also. I have been 2 times, and have tried about 10 different dishes already.. I really enjoyed all of them a lot, and will be visiting again soon. Wonderful staff that is fun and friendly, and similar feel to the place that Public had, but a bit more bright and lively -- A great place to go have drinks and small dishes before going out for the night, and a great place for groups (they have the big community table). I am a frequent customer of Basil (on Folsom also), which is always delicious, but this place feels a bit more fun, cheaper, and better for noodles and small plates. Even if you aren't a big fan of Thai food, you will find something you like in the various skewers that they serve. Go, and have fun!!!

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Patrick Heig

Joined 5 years ago

Sexy-simple izakaya-style Thai plates in an industrial loft setting in SoMa.. The SoMa look--exposed brick and cement, lots of black and industrial-chic light fixtures--is paired with gap klaem (izakaya-style Thai cuisine) in this mod, bi-level restaurant on the 11th Street club strip. Housed in the brick-tower landmark Jackson Brewing building, this spot was opened by the owners of nearby Basil Thai and expands on the same formula: contemporary Thai tapas and rice, soup and noodle dishes in a hip, almost club-like setting. Small plates like breaded Blue Point oysters with mango ceviche and interesting entrees like rice-noodle stir fry with octopus, chicken and scallions can be eaten at the window-facing counter seats, in the warmer upstairs loft area or at the huge communal table that dominates the first-floor space. There's also a full bar, which in combination with the light plates makes Basil Canteen a good place to start off a night of debauchery.