Ataula

If I'm craving spicy curry or anything spicy for that matter, Phuket Cafe often comes to mind. The flavors are out of this world, often surprising and incredibly unique. It's one of those places you bring people from out of town to leave them wanting more. Each dish is unique, I'd recommend ordering more than you can handle. Make a reservation! Walk ups can be hard as their space is limited.

Phuket Cafe was fantastic! We made a dining room reservation for two on a Tuesday night; we arrived a bit early and were seated right away. Our server talked through the menu with us as we made our selections, and did a really wonderful job of explaining each dish (spice level, portion size, and even pairings for a well-rounded meal). We ended up ordering two starters (albacore and pompano collars, which was on the specials list) and two entrees (Thai paella and prawn curry). We also got the coffee panna cotta for dessert. We took home some leftover paella, but it was the perfect amount of food to get to try several menu items. The cocktails were fun and interesting — and importantly, delicious. We tried Serious Moonlight, Technically Sweet, Preppy Giuseppe, and Built 2 Chill, and I would order any one of them again! Overall, stunning food and drinks, amazing service, and great vibes. I’m looking forward to returning to try even more of the menu.

Such a delicious lunch, I can’t wait to try dinner! Not knowing what to expect, I stepped in the main entrance expecting to be seated indoors and was directed outside to the “train car”. Given it was chilly and on the verge of raining, I was a bit concerned. But the train is quite cozy with the heat lamps and comfortable chairs. There’s a fair bit to choose from in terms of starters and sides, but my friend and I lacked time to luxuriate over a long, multi-course meal. I had the Panang curry, which featured Coppa pork steak, summer squash, and Swiss chard. I was expecting the chard to be part of the curry but it was actually tidy pile of minced, crisped greens that offered a complementary texture. There were nice big slices of jalapeños too. I love spicy food; this creamy, complex curry had pleasant albeit mild kick. My one complaint is that the pork was quite tough. I couldn’t even use my fork’s edge to break off a bite, and it was too tough to nip off a piece politely. I had to ask for a knife. While the Coppa pork makes for a gorgeous presentation (and don’t get me wrong, it tastes great) the trade-off might be the texture. My leftovers were enough for modest yet satisfying lunch. The curry flavors seemed to get even better on day two. My friend loved her Massaman curry with chicken and Thai iced tea. We arrived around noon and there were tables available. It’s like this place is a secret! I recently read that their pastry chef was recognized by Bon Appetit so I definitely want to return and have dessert. Service was polished and attentive. Parking is challenging; build in extra time to look for a spot and walk if you are planning to dine at a specific time.

I’ve been wanting to try this place for so long, and now I understand the hype. Everything was delicious! Many dishes had some spice, but you can usually find the peppers and pick them off if you’d want. That said, I still wouldn’t recommend this place to someone who has little/no tolerance for spice. We at the chefs counters and it was a really fun spot- definitely grab it if that’s an option when making a reservation! There was also a nice variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, which I appreciated.

Came here for lunch on a Friday and were seated immediately. We sat outside in the heated shelter which is nice and toasty. We opted for the chicken wings, Panang Curry and pad see ew to share. You may wonder... why the 4 star? Read on... The food came out quickly and we got our chicken wings to start. If you look into the photo, we got 4 small pieces of chicken wings... (2 wing tips and 2 drumettes). That's equivalent to one set of chicken wings from one chicken. Seriously! $14??? Garnished with plain cabbage without dressing nor vinaigrette, roasted peanuts without seasoning, and thinly sliced green bird peppers. Seriously. $14??? Hence, 1 star removed. The panang curry flavor was great and again, 4 thin slices of pork came with it on top of undercooked vegetables. Took many chews on the vegetables before one can swallow... Portland may be a healthy city but the portions are just way too stingy! Another star removed. The Pad See Ew... this is their saving grace. Had great "wok hei" which is heated wok flavor and the noodles are soft and fresh. The flavors worked well together and the sambal that came with it was a great compliment to the burnt and toasty flavors that should be in Pad See Ew. Love that they did not sugar it up like other Thai restaurants so, definitely a great dish. We unfortunately had to sit inside the shelter with some loud mouth unconcerned dining patron that must have thought she owned the place with her obnoxious cackle. So, that ruined the mood. Servers were attentive and professional. Would come back to have the Pad See Ew but $14 for the chicken wings! Seriously???

Phuket Cafe impresses with its amazing food and vibrant atmosphere, creating enjoyable vibes for diners. The culinary delights are top-notch, offering a delightful experience. However, the only drawbacks are the limited menu and higher prices, which may be a concern for some. Additionally, the small size of the place might make it crowded during peak hours.