Deciding on a restaurant in the busy Ballston area on Wilson Blvd. can be difficult with dozens of restaurants, lounges and cafes to choose from, but Thai Terrace, at the corner of Wilson and Quincy St. helps to make the choice much easier with its inviting atmosphere and its affordability will keep you coming back. This little gem of a restaurant and lounge somehow manages to be upscale and modern– appropriate for a business dinner or a night on which you might dress to impress– and cozy and relaxed enough for a romantic dinner with the one who needs very little in the ways of impressing anymore.

The menu is a mix of both modern and traditional Thai dishes, often with a bit of a Chinese flair for a creative twist. Thai cuisine connoisseurs will be deeply satisfied with the ten-page menu with a substantial number of affordable and filling appetizers, entrees and extras.

Recommended starters include the “Shrimp in a blanket”, a deep-fried, shrimp-stuffed pastry or the battered calamari and soft shell crab doused in chili sauce– both certain to hold you over until your meal arrives.

Salads are unique and full of traditional Thai flavor. Sure to satisfy the most discerning Thai palette or to open up the mind of a newcomer, the Yum Nua salad comes topped with marinated beef, onions and scallions in a spicy lime dressing.

Spicy is obviously the key word in most Thai dishes, and Thai Terrace does not disappoint. For those looking for traditional and intense Thai spice, try the Peppery Garlic — your choice of beef, pork or chicken sautéed with roasted garlic and white pepper for $9.95. Stir-fry dishes are loaded with fresh vegetables, tender cuts of meat and fresh seafood for under $10. Grilled selections include the Weeping Tiger: a New York Strip Steak made perfectly with a delicious ginger sauce ($14.95). Those who could not go Thai without curry will not be disappointed with the choices. The menu here does not settle for a basic curry when more interesting combinations of ingredients could make the Thai staple more interesting.

Vegetarians will also be pleasantly surprised with the skilled preparation of tofu steamed with basil and vegetables topped with a delicious peanut sauce.

Cocktails are the most reasonably priced in the D.C. area—and not just during happy hour. They may not be the most creative, but they are tasty and presented in a funky tropical manner: enough to impress any date while being easy on the wallet. But beware—these drinks are not for the faint of heart. Although they appear at first to be the colorful cocktails you are used to, they deliver a kick in the end.

The wait staff are some of the most pleasant and helpful you’ll ever encounter. They are willing to adjust even the spiciest of foods down to whatever level you desire without the slightest bit of mockery or disdain. Feel free to sit down and feel absolutely no rush to vacate the premises either. The dim lighting and welcoming ambiance might make you want to stay around awhile—plus, you might still be feeling that kick from your cocktail. The staff here is endlessly patient while you make your way through the expansive menu and will never rush you to make a decision—regular customers remark on their courtesy above all else in the establishment.

Try the lunch portions of your favorite dishes during the day for about $2 off the dinner price as well. Complimentary valet parking is also available after 5 p.m. for dine-in customers as well—just another example of the committed wait staff.

Visit the Thai Terrace and enjoy extremely reasonable prices, excellent staff and a pleasant view of Wilson Blvd. on a clear evening. Thai Terrace is a welcoming and relaxing establishment which will satisfy the need to have a special or romantic night out without the episode of buyer’s remorse afterwards. Regulars eagerly await the change of seasons so that they may enjoy the terrace that serves as the namesake of this Thai gem.

Thai Terrace

801 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203

703-243-7701

Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sat. 12 p.m.-11 p.m.

Sun. 12 p.m.-10 p.m.

Cash and major credit cards accepted.