• Curry Puffs $5.95 (shared)
• Shrimp with Yellow Curry $12.95
• Fried Bananas with Coconut Ice Cream $5.95 (shared)

This place has been reviewed highly by both the critics and friends of mine who have said, "go review it already it is the best Thai out there!" I have cheated a bit, as I often do with restaurants close to my work, I have been there for lunch so I knew what to expect and I expected a lot.

We arrived on a Saturday night at about 6:30 and it was packed and there was a 30 minute wait, which I half expected although I have never waited for lunch. But in the end it is all worth it, because you are after all waiting for some of the best Thai food period.

The appetizer was very good, fried, warm, creamy and tasty, with a great dipping sauce. My entree was incredible the shrimp were a tad over cooked, but the yellow curry was amazing, so many wonderful flavors. It did not have much heat to it and on the menu it said to specify how much heat you would like with each dish. I didn't because I wanted to see what they served without a request, but if I went back, I would ask for a little heat.

The dessert was a perfect ending to a great meal. I was actually kinda surprised that the server suggested dessert usually the hole in the wall Thai places do not really focus on it, so I already had plans to suggest we go over to Cupcake which is a new coffee house/cupcake bakery in the area. I had been there for coffee with a friend earlier in the week and wanted to go back to try some of their delicious looking cupcakes, but the server offered dessert, so I figured why not, and I was not disappointed. It was a perfect combination of hot and cold, sweet and savory.

If you like Thai food go to True Thai, heck even if you don't like Thai food, True Thai might change your mind.

• Sweet Green Curry with Pork $9.95

Despite the no-frills, straightforward decor and somewhat slow service, True Thai delivers with great food at great prices. Compare prices to last week's Azia, and you'll know what I mean.

I wasn't as impressed with the curry puffs as Renee. To me, they were interesting and unique, but nothing spectacular. The dipping sauce made them better, with a sweet and spicy combination in a light sauce. Still, I'd really like to try their egg rolls, spring rolls, and fish/shrimp cakes on a future visit.

The highlight, as it should be, was the entree. Sometimes I wonder if I'm cheating by reading reviews before going to a restaurant. I had read three times from independent sources that True Thai was the best Thai in the Twin Cities, and their curries made on site were the reason for their high regard. In addition, the sweet green curry was particularly lauded. Most of the time, I either feel let down by an entree that was praised or I feel guilty that I chose what was good on the menu (see Conga). This time, no guilt. I had a dish that was fantastic, one that I'd never had before, and it surpassed the raves that other reviewers have given it. It is a soupy, Thai basil-based sauce that gets better as you have more, and as it settles in the serving dish. It is especially good mixed with the plain white rice toward the end of the meal. As I finished, I, too, found myself scooping it out of the bowl.

You can't go wrong with Sebastian Joe's at the end of a meal (unless you're lactose intolerant, then my apologies, you're missing out). The combination of fried bananas and good coconut ice cream was a treat. I also recommend splitting this dessert, because it is enough to share.