Rose of Thailand

Rose of Thailand is located opposite Syndal station. I had never even noticed it before despite driving past it a million times. Our requirement for Thai food that was close was met when Dennis suggested this restaurant. We didn't really know much about it so just went ahead and booked anyway. Lucky we booked because the place filled out during the night.

The restaurant is a long room with tables in three rows. The decoration is sparse and the place has a relaxed feel. We were greeted by an old Thai woman (the owner I assume) who did a courteous bow with both hands pressed together.


Upon browsing the menu, we finally decided on the $29 banquet as we weren't sure what we wanted anyway. The amazing part about the banquet is that you can get unlimited refills on the mains dishes after you finish two of them. How amazing is that?

After Kevin, Candy and I got Thai beers and Dennis got a strange looking Thai milk tea, the entrees arrived. There was a plate containing a curry puff, vegetarian spring roll and a yummy thai fish cake. We nibbled on those whilst chatting away and catching up.


Not soon after, we got our Tom Yum Prawn soup. Kevin requested a chicken one as he doesn't eat prawns. The waitress remembered and brought that out for him. The Tom Yum soup was really good, sour and spicy with a couple of prawns and vegetables.

It was about at this point in the meal when the table right next to us was seated. It was 3 middle aged women, and a man, who was obviously the husband of the lady sitting next to him. What intrigued us about the group was that one woman was able to talk non-stop, I kid you not, all night whilst the others mainly listened and chimed in occasionally. The husband did not say a word all night, and we were actually thinking he might be mute or something. Finally, when the woman went for a smoko, and our ears got a break, the man actually started to talk a lot to the other remaining people. Then as soon as the lady got back, she again dominated the converssation. We heard everything about her, from her kids and their schooling, to her holidays, to what she thought about certain people, work, food and a lot of things I forgot. She was able to carry this monologue for most of the night. She was pretty loud so we just could not not lissten. By the end of the night, we had pretty much had enough and ready to go home.

Anyway, back to the food. Mains arrived in very large dishes and an even larger serving of rice. The mains consisted of green curry prawns, stir fry beef, pad thai and chicken larp (minced chicken). The stir fry beef was good, curry prawns better and pad thai excellent. Only the larp wasn't so nice. When we finished two of the dishes, we got another pad thai. The second pad thai was even bigger and better. It tasted even more of that wok flavour and had lots of meat in it.


Finally, we got desserts and tea as well. I got a banana fritter, which was good. The ice cream was creamy and not icy like at a lot of places that do banquets. Kevin got a pineapple fritter and Dennis and Candy got Lychees with Ice Cream. A tiny delicate pot of green tea was shared.

Service on the whole was good. They remembered things and cleared plates quickly. The only slightly strange part was when we asked about Dennis' Thai milk tea. It looked pink and smelt like strawberry. Usually its more orange and just taste like milk tea with a slightly more fragrant smell. A waitress walked over, we asked her about it, and then she walked away without saying anything. A moment later, we ask another waitress and she too goes away. Finally, she does come back and confirm it's a milk tea. It didn't taste like milk tea but was nice nonetheless.

The atmosphere is not too bad, with noise levels not excessively high. It has a nice comfy feel to it. Only the constant loud talking from the lady on the next table spoilt it slightly.

Overall Rating: 14/20, Banquet is great value and tasty.

Scores: 1-9: Unacceptable, don't bother. 10-11: Just OK,some shortcomings. 12: Fair. 13: Getting there. 14: Recommended. 15: Good. 16: Really good. 17: Truly excellent. 18: An outstanding experience. 19-20: Approaching perfection, Victoria's best.