For thinking of myself as an artist who travels, these days I’ve rarely been able to travel out of my own neighborhood and my artwork has been whittled down to scribbles in my sketchbooks. Because of this I jump at the chance to accept invitations that will take me even part way across town.
The other day a friend decided we hadn’t seen each other in a while and asked me out to lunch. He is Indonesian and wanted to take me to one of the only Indonesian restaurants in Berkeley. We got there and, yep, they are closed for a month of vacation. A few months ago, I had noticed Imm Thai Street Food on an actual rare walk across town and suggested we go up to the other end of the block to check it out.
Making it into the restaurant about five minutes before the lunch rush and we were able to get a table in the back.
We decided to share our food family style, so we went as Vegetarian as possible. I always ask for Vegetarian (or Vegan) versions of dishes when I’m in an Asian restaurant, and just hope that it comes to table that way. We ordered Spicy Pad Thai ($10) with large chunks of tofu, fresh bean sprouts, and spicy, saucy rice noodles, Medium Spicy Thai Fried Rice ($10) with tomato, Chinese broccoli, egg, onions, with fresh cucumber and cilantro, Vegetarian Spring Rolls ($7) rice wrappers filled with avocado, carrot, marinated tofu, lettuce, cucumber, and mint, along with two Thai Iced Teas ($4 each). All three dishes and the iced teas were perfectly presented, filling, and incredibly tasty. There was enough in this order for two people and enough leftovers for one lunch the next day.
This may turn into my new go-to Thai place. A little further of a walk than my other one, but worth it. And of course, I want to go back and try a few of their other dishes.
The only downside that I could see? Televisions. Two of them, one on each end of the restaurant. They were easy to visually ignore but still …
If you are into crystals and rocks, The Stone Room is on the same block.
Have you been here? Leave a comment below about your foodie experience!
Imm Thai Street Food
2068 University Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704