Basil

Basil Review

This corner restaurant in the heart of downtown enjoys the best reputation for Thai food in the city. Need proof? Dinner hours generate extended wait times—no reservations allowed—as patrons angle for an outdoor or window table. From the exposed glassed-in kitchen emerge popular specialties such as Tom Aban Talay, a hot-and-sour mixed seafood soup flavored with Kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and button mushrooms; red curry duck, a boneless half bird, deep-fried; and the tilapia served with shrimp and ginger sauce. And seriously, don't fret over the line. It's always worth the wait. But if you're farther afield, try hitting Basil's newest locations in Charlotte, N.C., and Mount Pleasant.