bex77

Here's my thoughts on Sweet Ginger, the new Thai place in Union Square. It's on Bow Street, across from Block 11 and Hub Comics. I had read the review in the Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2008/09/06/hitting_the_sweet_spot_in_union_square/

I eat a lot of Thai food in Somerville, at East Asia in Powder House Square and Great Thai Chef in Union Square, and even Lemon Thai up on Highland Avenue. Each place has its strengths, so I was surprised to see yet another entrant.

This won't be a complete review, as we only grabbed take-out late Wednesday night, but I wanted to give you a heads-up that it is worth a try. Pretty interior, very friendly staff, quick service, reasonable prices and best of all - spectacularly delicious food!

They have a web site up already:
http://www.sweetgingerunionsq.com/home

The cashier was welcoming and helpful, asked us how we heard about the place. The interior is very colorful - bright orange, shiny wood floors - spacious and decorated simply with taste. Their women's room was the biggest one I've ever seen in a small restaurant. They have an open kitchen, so we sat and watched our meal being prepared by an older couple.

They serve lunch (except Sunday) and dinner everyday. No delivery yet, but they said they're talking with Foodler.

The menu doesn't have the most exotic of Thai dishes, but most of the usual choices.

We tried a bunch of items:
$1.75 - Thai iced tea
$4.50 - Mango with sticky rice
$5.25 - Chicken satay (it's the yellow curry grilled version)
$5.75 - Shrimp in a blanket (a cross between a spring roll and fried shrimp)
$3.00 - Beef soup (sliced beef, carrots, sweet potatoes, onion & cilantro in beef broth)
$8.50 - Crystal pad thai (like pad thai, but with bean thread glass noodles)

The satay was juicy and flavorful. The shrimp was crispy and tasty, with a great dipping sauce. The beef soup was rather bland but comforting in its way. The pad thai was yummy and fun with the different noodles. The Thai iced tea was perfect. The mango was ripe and a great partner for the sticky rice. Everything tasted very fresh and better than the other places in town. I can't believe that will hold up over multiple tastings, but we'll see.

The menu and review makes me want to go back to try the Tom Kha soup, or the Tamarind duck or their Massaman curry...soon!