Relaxed island feeling

Thai Island
210 E Davis Blvd
Tampa, FL 33606
813-251-9111

Overall: A quaint mom-and-pop Thai restaurant with a smattering of unusual (and usual) options and a quiet casual ambiance. Nothing special to look at during the day that transforms to a sidewalk cafe with romantic lights strewn through the trees overlooking the sidewalk of what seems a town forgotten in time. However, while full of character and typically positive reviews, the restaurant only delivers average flavor.

Who's Who
Around 9pm on a Saturday evening, the only other patrons were an older couple that had clearly befriended one of the Thai Island owners. As a table of four 30-somethings, we seemed to be the most action the restaurant received that night. Next door, an Italian restaurant with a similar type of ambiance seemed the more popular choice on the street for younger patrons and families. Of course, this translated in a no-wait sit-anywhere alternative to waiting for a table at a more popular chain.

Cost Factor
Average prices overall, with each of us sharing an entree and a sampler platter of seafood and chicken satay we only spent about $12 a piece. Wine appeared to be the primary alcohol option and ran between 5-7 dollars a glass.

Flirtabilty
Although the neighborhood encouraged a casual walk-about atmosphere and the restaurant offered side-walk seating, the patrons nor the walk-bys offered any 'curb appeal' for the average 30 something. I'd give this place a complete zilch for pick-up potentials for a Saturday evening.

Atmosphere
I'm a sucker for white twinkle lights and this place certainly had them in addition to some more traditional paper covered lights strewn throughout the tree-lined sidewalk. To add to the Davis Island feel and general character of the place, the ceilings were covered with a few sails that made one think of the island and nearby bay shore. Along these same lines, the restaurant struck me as somewhere that could be an intimate date or a casual evening after a day at the beach or nearby Bayshore paths. The service overall was relatively attentive and friendly - but my guess was that our server might have been one of the owners that was sharing time in the kitchen.

Tastey
A few unique options that caught my eye were a chicken-noodle-esque soup with clear/glass noodles (I looove glass noodles) and an assortment of different types of curry. Being a big fan of red curry myself, I was surprised to see 4-5 different types of curry offered. Playing it safe by ordering the red curry, I was a bit disappointed with it generally had watered down taste. I wondered if the other curry options might have been better. Also playing it safe with some crab ragoons, chicken satay, and another item on the sampler platter, I was again disappointed with a pretty average flavor. Finally, a dinner-mate that opted for some shrimp and vegetable-based soup found hers to be too spicy to be tastey.

Liquid Courage
Although we leaned towards the non-alcohol choice of Thai tea due to our day of game-day tailgating, there was a satisfactory listing of affordable wine options that fit nicely with the equally affordable and causal food pairings.

Funness
The fun in this particular restaurant is limited to whatever fun you bring to the table. With no live music or other sources of entertainment, if fun isn't walking by on the sidewalk I sure hope you brought someone with you that can hold up their side in a conversation.

Inside Scoop Tidbits
For those looking for a non-chain mom-and-pop local, this is your place. From what I can tell the owners are a husband and wife couple that plays a huge - if not exclusive - role in running the restaurant. Cheap with no wait on a Saturday night, I'd recommend this place for a new couple that's more interested in each other and conversation or a casual girl's night out to catch-up on each other's lives - but not necessarily for its lack-luster take on the traditional Thai plates.