This McLean restaurant is located in a little mall with at least three to four other restaurants. They are all good but Absolute Thai stands out by offering delicate French pastries that are mouthwatering works of art.
When I walked into Absolute, I found a sophisticated and serene scene. The restaurant is inviting yet minimal, much in the way many Thai restaurants are; however, their elegant dining room makes eating there feel more like an occasion. There is also a bar where you can sit and have a glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail while you wait for a table or your take out order.
Part of Absolute’s menu is devoted to what they feel is truly authentic. This includes favorites such as appetizer Larb Gai, a spicy minced chicken dish flavored with fresh herbs, chili and lime. Another traditional offering is the entrée Green Curry, a fragrant coconut dish that is creamy and mildly spicy. Also are satays, spicy soups such as Tom Yum, and my personal favorite, Kaprao, a dish of chilies, basil and garlic. Absolute offers a variety of specialties including their Crispy Duck and their Siam Flaming Beef, marinated, seared and brought to you on a hot platter. Their menu is quite large. It even includes a “healthy” section that serves red and brown rice with entrées instead of the usual white.
The entrées are very good but what makes Absolute different are the fabulous pastries made by Pond Worasittikorn, a CIA (Culinary Institute of America) trained pastry chef who perfected her art at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Café Leopold in Georgetown, the Mandarin Oriental DC, and Windows Catering before coming to Absolute Thai. Ms. Worasittikorn told me Absolute has a “complete dining experience” philosophy – first, dine on great Thai food and follow with a dessert that is made with natural ingredients, lightly sweetened and that is, of course, beautiful.
There are many French pastries to choose from, all decadently flavored but light as air – the perfect ending to a spicy Thai meal – Strawberry and Pistachio Plougastel Tart, Fried Banana Rolls, Mango Chocolate Tart, and more. And, if those were not enough, there are gluten free confections, French Macarons, Panna Cotta, and Flourless Chocolate Cake.
On a recent visit, my friends and I indulged in their Lychee Raspberry, a delicately flavored confection of ladyfingers, raspberry coulis and a whisper of lychee mousse that together created a luscious balance of flavors. We also sampled the Pandan Coconut – chiffon cake, vanilla Bavarian cream, sweet palm seed and coconut gelée and the Toffee Crunch Cake – devil’s food cake with cashew toffee and coffee cream. All three were outstanding.
So, whether you have a craving for Asian food or would like to have a decadent dessert, think of Absolute Thai where you can get both!
Absolute Thai
1381 Beverly Road
McLean, VA 22101
703-847-1111
www.absolutethaiva.com
