Out & About #352 | Weekend In Barrie Day 2: Downtown Barrie Cont. + Thai Bamboo

Read Part 1 HERE !

​Continuing east then west on Dunlop led us to the MacLaren Art Centre, City Hall, vintage clothing shops, several Indian takeout joints, and stretches upon stretches of pubs with patios incorporated onto the sidewalk. Honestly, it was quite fascinating to find such a tremendous number of British pubs, Whiskey and Scotch bars, and Irish pub houses centred along the same span.

​At a certain point in time, we ducked into a hybrid boutique by the name of J'Adore Cheese and Chocolate. Originally it was the all caps SPEAKCHEESY that had spoken to me (no pun intended) and consequently prompted our entrance. The quiet but elaborately stocked interior carried an insance inventory of spices, preserves, pre-packaged biscuits, charcuterie items, and chocolate-covered confectioneries.

Not to be omitted was the impressive variety of cheeses, which ranged from vegan cashew cheese to Chocolate Cheese Fudge. Most were even categorized according to their source of dairy, be it cow, lamb, or goat.

​Have you ever head of a "hotdoggery"? I haven't, at least not until this visit.

​As dusk came, the menu posted outside Hooligans suddenly appeared appealing. In complete contrast to the tranquil drizzle taking place outside of the three-floor corner restaurant, noise pollution was extreme in the dining hall. With news that the patio was closed due to weather, there was no other option than to retrace our footsteps into the car and search for an alternative dinner location.

​Several searches on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Food Safety site after, all infraction-holding establishments were banished from the list. We determinately opted for Thai Bamboo, an opening with a flawless standing.

​Deviously concealed behind a plethora of auto dealerships in a tiny plaza of commercial offices, Thai Bamboo is a hidden gem that is apparently quite popular with locals.

Of course, we had our initial doubts about the place: making the left turn from Mapleview onto the emptiness of Reid, then the eerieness that was King instilled worry in our stomachs. There was ample parking - not surprising as business hours were over - though it concerned us that we were about to step foot into the single enterprise that offered food in the plaza.

​A tad dingy but thoroughly decorated with wooden sculptures, gold-rimmed fixings, and plenty of artificial greenery, the interior was the exact opposite of its sleek exterior. Tables were filled with guests happily chatting away while digging deep spoonfuls into the platter of noodles and pad thai dishes placed before them. It was quite the sight to witness after making our way around the brick and glass building.

​One of the members of staff acknowledged our presence and rapidly gestured toward one of the tables in the aisle. When it was relayed that our preferences lay with the quiet corner table by the window, she had no issues with immediately cleaning up and shifting us over.
Menus with laminated pages and utensil sets fastened with tightly wound string were soon placed before us.

​The table, while quiet, was obscured from view from the position of the cashier and kitchen area. Our waitress came to note down orders and collect menus within a reasonable time frame, though specific requests were left unattended for some periods of time as our waves were either not to be seen clearly, or dismissed by the waitresses whose line(s) of vision happened to align.

​A call for a trio of Peanut Sauce Chicken, Golden Noodles with Shrimp, and House Fried Rice with Chicken and Shrimp was made. The idea was to try dishes that were unique and distinct, in addition to being largely mild enough for our tastes.

Perhaps it was since we hadn't glanced over the shoulders of other occupants closely enough, for the amounts of sustenance heaped onto each plate were astronomical in our eyes. Each chip-free, plastic white plate carried approximately three suppertime servings for mortals of our appetites, regardless of the presence of sauce.

​The three dishes arrived roughly at the same time, about a reasonable fifteen minutes after the orders had been placed.

​Golden Noodles was the choice that bore greatest congruency to my fancied Khao Soi and Thai Tea combo. Although the restaurant did not carry Thai Iced Tea on the particular day, or so I was informed anyway, flat rice noodles coated in a sweet, mild yellow curry wholly satisfied my Thai food cravings.
The sauce possessed a thicker consistency than imagined, which led me to consider the possibility of stabilizer reliance and/or hefty monosodium glutamate usage. Yet, at the same time, neither flavour nor richness had been compromised. The dish did not leave me gasping for water either.

Chunks of partially-cooked broccoli, carrot, and zucchini were healthy additions to the dish. Our selected type of protein was shrimp, though one could have also decided upon vegetarian, chicken, beef, or seafood (with minute price adjustments). Shellfish generally are not my cup of tea: their texture and flavour absorption properties are delicately affected by temperature and cooking time, meaning that minor mistakes could result in severe impacts on the final product. Thai Bamboo pleasantly suprised me with medium-sized morsels of just-cooked shrimp that lent the dish both bite and bounce.

​House Fried Rice was a gamble, really. It had emerged triumphant over the original pick of regular Fried Rice.
Pineapple, cashews, Thai Curry, and a splash of coconut milk were listed as components of the platter - all of which were clearly perceived at the first spoonful.
The stout grains of rice were stained to a soy sauce-like hue, but the medley of sweet-savoury-fiery-ness was not to be confused with Chinese or Japanese cooking styles. Thai Curry provided a solid punch, while coconut milk eased in temperate palatableness. Furthermore, pineapple and cashews contributed a jolt of acidity and satisfying crunch respectively. The pungence of fresh, crispy green onions was also found to heighten depth. (Frozen veggies were an amusing choice though.)

I find it hard to admit to the successful execution of fried rice, since most times, they trigger my hatred for greasiness and carb overintake. This one was best consumed in conjunction with the Peanut Sauce dish.

Contained in a square bowl instead of plates, the Peanut Sauce with Chicken exuded a fragrant nuttiness that paired well with rice and noodle platters. Albeit the runniness of the sauce, the item captivated me with its distinctive flavour and aroma. It boasted identical vegetable choices as the Golden Noodles and a similar sweetness to the House Fried Rice. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it tremendously.

​Closure to an already delightful meal is, of course, dessert. Many times have I encountered failures of Mango Sticky Rice, so I became adamant about trying Thai Bamboo's variation despite fullness.

​Purple Sticky Rice with Mango offered up the restaurant's unexpected take on the classic: glutinous white rice was swapped for its heartier, deeper-toned counterpart, while the ripe green mango was used in place of the generic Ataulfo generally seen atop Malaysian versions. Finally, the components were submerged in silky lagoon of coconut milk and coarse coconut shreds.

​Words cannot describe the joy experienced at munching on this treat - it was unlike that of any other restaurant and vastly different from my own recipes. Realized before me was a well-rounded compilation of chewiness riding gentle waves of sweetness, only interrupted occasionally by bursts of fresh mango. Needless to say, it was unanimously enjoyed by the entire party.

​As I cannot conclude my opinions without mention of hygienic facilities, it must be noted that the two-stall spots did not sport the most updated equipment. Toiletries were stocked and a decent amount of cleanliness was maintained. The bathroom was nothing memorable, except for the fact that the toilet paper dispensers were situated on the low side, making it difficult to obtain its contents.

​In summary, Thai Bamboo is unassuming spot with extravagant portions, economic price points, minimal artificial flavours, speedy delivery, and a comfortable atmosphere. The roomy tables render it suitable for groups as well as children. My sole complaint was the fact that our waitress disappeared for a substantial portion of our visit; along with the table's situation within the restaurant, flagging her down became a tiresome mission in itself.

​Other than that, it's not hard to see how the team has achieved such a notable number of "Reader's Choice" and "Best of Barrie" awards. I'll definitely be marking this spot down for next time!