Highlights:
Early Bird, lunch, and brunch specials ; Generous portions : Good for groups
Drawbacks:
Tacky ambience
Price range:
Sunday Brunch: $9.95 Early Bird Special: $9.95 Lunch Special: $7.95 Appetizers: $2.95-$6.95 Entrees: $7.95-$16.95
The area around 40th and Chestnut may seem like one giant construction site these days, but obscured by the scaffolding is one of the best deals in University City. While Thai Singha House boasts a wide selection of a la carte options, the early bird special is the way to get your money's worth. If you're willing to sit down to eat before 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, $9.95 will get you a three-course meal, and the options are anything but limited.
To start, choose from a selection of three soups. The wonton soup is not the oily variety found at many Chinese restaurants. Rather, the broth is light and fresh, the wontons are delicate and not at all doughy and the soup is finished with shrimp, scallions and crisp snow peas. However, the indisputable best choice for this first course is the chicken coconut soup. The creamy concoction mixes sweet coconut milk with scallions and spices, and ample pieces of white meat chicken soak up the many flavors.
As for the appetizers, the pork spring roll is delicious, its crispy wrapper filled with chewy meat and vegetables. Vegetarians will find no shortage of options, including a meatless spring roll and fried tofu, which satisfy carnivores and vegetarians alike.
For main dishes, the half-dozen choices will satisfy any craving. All portions are extremely generous -- almost everyone leaves with lunch for the next day in hand. Thai barbecue chicken is tender and flavorful, served with a sweet and sour sauce. For those seeking spicy, the red curry chicken and shrimp with bamboo shoots are sure to please. Stir-fried vegetables are perhaps the least enticing option, served in a rather bland soy sauce. For pad thai fans, Thai Singha's version is delicious, in a slightly sweet sauce with plenty of sprouts and peanuts. And though the menu bans any dish-changing, the staff is actually quite accommodating, so feel free to order your pad thai with chicken or vegetables instead of the shrimp listed.
The decor at Thai Singha is oddly eclectic, combining 1970s floral curtains with Thai sculptures and artifacts. However, the service is more consistent: waiters are friendly and helpful, water glasses are constantly refilled and dishes arrive quickly and piping-hot. In addition to the early bird special, those who believe that Thai food is the best cure for a hangover will delight in Thai Singha's Sunday brunch. At $9.95, the menu is slightly different, but also includes a beverage, making it an even better deal. There is also a $7.95 lunch special, so regardless of the time of day, Thai Singha is a perfect change of pace from the 40th Street standbys for around the same price, and likely to be even faster.
