It's been a few months since I've been to The Loft, and I suggested it to a friend of mine who was in town, as a place that would have some great vegan options. (9/9/2017)
Here's something I've never had here before: their delicious Thai Iced Tea.
Tom Kha: Coconut-based soup. Quite delicious.
Virgin Drunken Noodle with clear low carb noodle (that's what makes it "virgin"), which we had with tofu, and asked for Extra Spicy. It wasn't really Extra Spicy in our opinion, but then again, we're used to eating things like Ghost Pepper Salsa, and Vindaloo that'll blow your mind, turn your face so red it's on the verge of deep purple, and drenched in sweat. It was great, though.
We returned to The Loft the other day during a recent heat wave. Perfect day for salads. Above is their Beef Salad: tender thin-sliced beef with chile, thin-sliced red onion, scallions, lime, rice powder, mint, & cucumber over mixed greens.
Listed as "Chicken Salad" on the menu, this is actually the classic Thai-Lao dish Larb. This happens to be one of best versions I've ever had. Minced chicken, lime, rice powder, mint, lettuce, cilantro, red & green onions.
And finally their Papaya Salad: shrimps, green papaya, cherry tomato, chili-lime dressing, carrot, green beans, peanut over lettuce.
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| Drunken Noodle with Beef at The Loft Thai Fusion. |
Already I think this is the best Asian restaurant in Vallejo.
The Loft, located in the Hiddenbrooke neighborhood of North Vallejo, has only been open two weeks but already has quite the buzz going in the culinary world. In the same way restaurants close to Chez Panisse up their game, I can't help but thinking that the influence of Michael Warring next door has a positive effect on The Loft.
Nice decor: plates, table tops, lamps. Presentation clearly professional.
Above and below: Pad Thai, pretty much a standard Bangkok version. But the shrimp is cooked perfectly, the texture of the noodles perfect, the tofu has soaked in the tamarind sauce, and if there's any slight hint of a complaint, I thought this dish was a bit mild in terms of heat (we always ask for medium spicy, when prompted by front of the house staff). But the shrimp and the tamarind sauce? Simply divine.
Above & below: Drunken Noodles with Beef--par excellence. Again, the meat was cooked perfectly, with great flavor and texture, as were the green beans & red bells. The wide drunken noodles themselves had just the right amount of char on them, and there was no shortage of thai basil here, a sign of things to come. And as far as the spice level? Perfectly medium: the chile heat was evident, with just enough of a punch to enhance all the flavors in this masterful dish without sending one into a red-faced, brow-drenched tumult of chile-induced tumult. Impressive touch.
Above & below: Chicken Salad, as it says on the menu, but we know this dish better as Larb. Minced Chicken cooked perfectly, and still warm when served. The texture was just perfect, no hint of rubbery chewiness that one sometimes encounters. And of course no Larb would be complete without ample mint leaves, thinly sliced red and green onions, lettuces, cucumber, toasted rice powder, cilantro, and most of all, a sauce which is a blend of lime & fermented fish sauce.
The Loft Thai Fusion
https://www.theloftthaifusion.com
8308 Bennington Ct Vallejo, CA 94591
707-647-2072
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