Basil Restaurant and Bar 1175 Folsom street San Francisco, CA 94103 Phone: (415) 552 8999 Fax: (415) 552-8889 http://www.basilthai.com
Cuisine: Location:	Thai SoMa
Star Rating:
Cost:
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If you are strolling down the streets in the South of Market Area, amongst the liquor stores, warehouses, and design studios, there is a terrific restaurant called “BASIL”.   It is located on Folsom street between 7th street and 8th streets.  Authentic Thai food with a touch of class may be a good way to describe this restaurant that has been here for many years.   As you walk up to Basil, you will notice the large window that faces right out onto Folsom street, it’s not the most beautiful view of the South of Market area buildings but it is a nicely designed building.  Once you walk in, you see the cloth covered tables, the dim lighting and the full bar which looks like it was remodeled recently.   The service was very fast and polite; the host seated us at nice quiet table and served us tea and water as we looked over the menu.   There are seven sections from choose in the menu.  Beginnings, Skewers, Soups and Salads, From the grill, From the wok, Basil’s Curries, and Noodles and Rice are the categories.   There is a taste for everyone here including spicy, sweet, hot, cold, barbecue, vegetables and more. I already knew what I wanted and ordered the Kang Ped, Roasted Duck, cherry tomatoes, and pineapples simmered in red curry.  The best Duck curry that I have ever tasted. The cherry tomatoes burst with tart flavor and the pineapples set off the curry sauce that give you a little kick.  We also ordered the Panang Short Ribs, short ribs simmered in a basil kaffir penang sauce served with diced vegetables.  The beef was super tender the sauce was not spicy but full of flavor with fresh diced vegetables for a perfect taste sensation.   Both of the above dishes did not come with any bones in it so it was scoop and eat, no mucking around with de-boning the duck to get just a little bit of meat out. Big chunks of fresh roasted duck and melt in your mouth short ribs that are full of flavor. If you want to drink and eat, the Basil Thai restaurant offers a full bar with bottles of Premium Vodka, Aged Whiskey, white and red wine and other cocktail favorites. The service here is great, the waiter/bus person kept our water and tea filled at all times, and brought us fresh bowl of rice when asked.  They kept our table clear of used dishes and handed us a laminated desert menu when we were done with the main course. We did not take advantage of the desert menu this time but I have had the fried bananas and Ice cream, it’s the best!! So if you are trying to look for a nice place to eat in the South of Market Area while you are waiting for the after hours clubs to open, You may visit the Basil Thai restaurant  and get started with a wonderful meal.