Arun's Thai Restaurant

I have wanted to dine at Arun's for such a long time! Afterall, Arun's is considered the best Thai restaurant in the country, and I wanted to see if it lived up to the reputation.

When you step into Arun's you feel like you have been transported to Thailand. The beautiful interior is decorated with ornate thai artifacts and beautiful vibrant paintings that cover the walls. My seat was overlooking a beautiful mural depicting the life and death of Buddha, and unique Thai dolls displayed in a mahogany cabinet.

The 12 course tasting menu ($85/person) begins with six appetizers served degustation style followed by four family-style entrees and two desserts (thai food is traditionally served banquet style). In fact, there is no menu presented to you at Arun's. Each dish that presents itself is a surprise, which is part of Arun's unique experience. The food does not fail to amaze, and is prepared with top-notch ingredients and creativity. The presentation and attention to detail makes the experience even more special and memorable (such as tomatoes shaped as roses and carrots carved to resemble goldfish complete with eyes and fins).

The food is complemented with a stellar wine list with many unexpected choices.

Although some would argue that it is silly to spend so much money on Thai food, I would beg to differ. Each course served was complex and required extensive preparation. I would almost consider $85 per person to be a great bargain. Besides, the memories that you have from such a great dining experience are well worth the price.

In Chicago's vast and excellent fine-dining scene, I would place Arun's in second place, following Alinea, and before Tru.