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• Best Thai Restaurant: Siam Terrace

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Siam Terrace »
Address: 212 W. Main St. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 367-8424
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On a recent Wednesday night, downtown Urbana was almost silent. Walking down Main Street was a quiet affair — that is, until we opened the door to Siam Terrace. Immediately we were greeted by the sounds of happy diners, clinging silverware and the friendly banter of the staff. For this Thai restaurant, atmosphere is an ingredient to success as much as food. Customers keep coming back because of the restaurant’s generous hospitality, said Pam Olson, surrogate mother of Siam Terrace’s co-owner Ratana Danawankul.

Of course, the food also plays a part in the restaurant’s popularity. Besides the standard favorites like Pad Thai and Thai Fried Rice, the menu includes more exotic specials like curry dishes, crispy duck basil and grilled salmon ginger. The salmon is topped with mushrooms, scallions, ginger and a sweet ginger sauce. Night manager Om said it is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. “The smell of ginger is very good with salmon,” she said.

In the mood for a California roll with your Pad Thai? Siam Terrace added a sushi bar last month. Maki rolls, which run from a $3.99 cucumber roll to the $12.99 specialties, were impressive with their expert presentation and large portions. The sushi chef creates carefully crafted garnishes out of carrots and cucumbers to top the places.

True to the spirit of the restaurant, everything comes according to the customers’ tastes. Want to make a spicy dish mild? Add an ingredient? Make a dish vegetarian? The kitchen will gladly comply. “There’s even a vegetarian version of the duck basil — the mock duck basil looks just as real,” Om said. “Absolutely the most important thing is pleasing the customers,” Olson said.

Situated in the heart of downtown Urbana, Siam Terrace is easy to find by bus or car but still offers a change of scenery for students. “It feels special,” Maya Koenig, sophomore in the School of Art & Design, said. “It’s a unique night out.”