Thai with Style

’s food is good, but what makes it a great restaurant is the presentation.

Its prices are only about what you’ll pay at a casual paper-menu-type place – most dishes cost around $9 – but the food is served with such style and the atmosphere is so suave, you’d think you were spending three times as much.

The independently-owned restaurant has about 24 tables and no outdoor or bar seating in its dimly lit dining room. In the center, two statues of elephants shoot streams of water into a rectangular basin. A bass impression of nine elephants hangs on the wall above beer dispensers. Asian music twangs and buzzes gently in the background while a sports game glowed from the plasma screen above the bar.

A waiter said the restaurant’s owner lives locally, though he wasn't sure where.

When I went on a weekday evening, it was bustling and busy, but not crowded. The tables were draped in white cloths and the napkins carefully folded.

The food was good, but what made it stand out was the way it was served.

The spring rolls were served upright and overflowing with greens. They cost $6.95.

The tom yum soup was tangy, light and served in a hot pot. It cost $9.95 for a large.

The pad Thai was a good contrast. It was a little oilier and heavier than at most other Thai places, but still good. It cost $8.95.

The ginger, vegetables and tofu – a curry dish – was light and flavorful and served with white rice. It cost $8.95.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It’s in the Bella Villagio shopping center near the Promenade mall.

For the hours and location, .