Thai Chef

Best Shrimp Pad Thai I’ve ever had. Staff is lovely and attentive. Their chicken curry puffs were no where near as good as the ones served at Origin (in Somerville), but that won’t keep me/​my family from coming back. Thai iced tea will make you want more — and as everyone said, the chocolate soufflé dessert is wicked!

It was empty on a friday night. Whatevs. We were on a double date and hungry so no hassle for a table. But it was eerie. First thing I said was, why is it soo empty on a friday night? we constantly had to get staff’s attention. Food was odd — too much sweet/​sugar and not enough spice. Hubby’s pad see ew, noodles were soggy/​overcooked, too sweet and beef was funky tasting. I had Masaman Curry. Might as we call it Masaman sugar. No curry taste. Overall this place seems in trouble. The waiter even requested we write on Unilocal to review. So here is your honest review. Pros– place is very nicely decorated.

I haven’t been here in years. I remember this place always being crowded. Found it weird how I was able to walk in on a Saturday at 7pm without a reservation. Anyway, food was good but wasn’t anything to brag about. Service was good — staff was friendly and attentive which is a plus.
Not sure I would recommend or return to this establishment which is unfortunate because this restaurant was excellent just a few years ago.

This was my first time here, and I was excited to try it because it was a place in Montclair that always caught my eye. My friend and I walked in on a Saturday with out reservation, and was happy we got sat right away. Our order was taken, and wine was open with in a few minutes, however that was the end of our service. We were there about 3 hours, and not by choice!
We ordered the steamed mussels for appetizer, which was great and the small was enough for two people It came within a reasonable time of ordering it. However, after that we waited almost an hour for our entrees. At one point, my friend’s entrée, a grilled scallop dish came out, but my grilled steak dish, did not. The waiter told me it would a few more minutes. I waited about 10 to finally eat, but I told my friend to start before me so her food doesn’t get cold. Again, our dishes were delicious and flavorful. We both asked for our entrees to be made mild, because on the menu they were indicated it they were spicy, and our request was honored. After we finally ate, we looked around, and almost every table was having a wait staff issue as well. The Chef even came out to apologize to the tables, because he was aware there was a very long wait from the kitchen. He said it was due to new staff, who haven’t quite got the hang out the routine yet. At one point, a few tables, including mine, were talking about the horrible service. I had 3 waiters I believe, and none of them were attentive.
That wasn’t the end of it unfortunately. We asked 3 different people for our check and about THIRTY minutes later we finally received it. but it was for the wrong table. We waiting again, for the correct check, then waited even more for our payments to be processed. The payment process alone took about an hour.
It was quite an ordeal, and for people who need to catch a show or an event, this would have ruined their night. Its a shame because the food was great. I would not recommend this place, as it is right now. Hopefully in a few months after the new staff is trained, there will be better service and the good food can really be enjoyed.

Terrible service, disinterested and confused staff. After years of enjoying the food here, I am sad to say I will not be coming here again.

The soufflés are delicious and I don’t really like the food I liked the duck rolls but it was messy

Good food, terrible service.
Went here on a Saturday night. This was my first time here in a number if years. The first sign that Thai Chef wasn’t the same as before was the fact that it wasn’t crowded. Most restaurants in Montclair are usually very crowded and have a wait. We also had to wait for our table, despite having a lot of empty tables.
We started with the four seasons appetizer, which is a sampler of some of their more popular items. My favorite item on the sampler had to be the dumplings. They were plump and juicy. The spring rolls were great and I really enjoyed them being served in more bite sized portions. While the satay was good, it was very generic. The entrees were also very good. I had the roasted duck berry. Very tasty and enjoyed that the duck was boned, made eating it so much easier.
Here is where the problems lie, the service was terrible. First off, it was slow. I am not sure where our waiter kept disappearing to, but even simple things like getting our water glasses refilled was an ordeal. Our waiter also seemed to not know the menu or any items on it. We tried to ask questions about a few items, but got one of two replies each time. It was either «I don’t know» or «I’m not sure». If you work at a restaurant, you should try to know some of the items. Sadly, the entire meal took well over 2 hours because everything was so slow. The server also failed to pack up all our leftovers. I had duck left along with some of the rice and vegetables. Despite asking for all of it to be packed up, I only got the piece of duck breast.
If they could turn the service around, it would certainly be worth trying again.

Took my +1 here on a Friday night. Brought our own bottle of red. Ordered the edamame which was pretty standard. I ordered the beef pad thai which had great flavor. The amount of spice it comes with is not spicy as I tend to eat everything with spice. Definitely order a spice level up. My date ordered the peking duck with noodles. The duck tasted delicious and was cooked quite well. The server was very polite and checked in on us periodically. Overall a decent experience for a casual night out.

Thai food. So so so delicious here. Thai iced tea is also delicious and service is good!

If you are new to Thai food, I strongly recommend starting here. I absolutely love the atmosphere in this restaurant. Simple, delicate, at home. It’s well-​rounded in sense you can take your significant other here or bring your family for some bonding. Service is on point, respectful and professional. My water glass is never empty, and I like that way. My waitress, Gina, was upbeat, lively and well-​versed. She actually looks like she loves working there, and customers really appreciate that.
To the best part of review, the Chicken Pad Thai at Thai Chef is the best I ever had. Authentic, savory and filling. And no, my chicken was not dry. Even my dad who actually hates Thai food, can’t stop talking about the Shrimp Pad Thai. My mom had the Chicken Pad See Ew and she was fast sleep on the way home. Her noodles were perfect and she loved the caramel sauce.
However, the highlight of the whole experience was the Chocolate Soufflé. I don’t need to describe this because its something you just have to go and get yourself. One of my favorite Thai Spots!!!
5 Stars, man

I have been to this restaurant 2 X once for dinner once fir lunch and today I ordered out. Everything I have ever had here was very good quality food not too salty like some Thai food is made. I really love the chocolate soufflé it’s really amazing and made to order. I highly recommend this place and atmosphere here is very relaxing too.

Thai Chef is hands down the best Thai place in New Jersey. The authentic decorations make you feel like you’re in Thailand. It has a romantic ambiance for a date night, but it is also a place you can take your family. I’ve been coming here ever since I could remember and I’ve never had a bad experience. My waiter, Nate, took care of my table very well and was always on top of things.
For appetizers, I ordered the Fried Dumplings filled with pork, shrimp and crabmeat topped with their special sauce and paired with a tossed cabbage. For my main course, I ordered the Beef Pad Thai. Dessert? That’s a whole other story. Two words: Chocolate Soufflé. I’ve been to many Thai restaurants, but this one is my favorite!
Tip: Make sure you order the soufflé when you order your meals because it takes about 15 min to make!

Came here for a business dinner and again with a friend, and I must say that it truly offers one of the best (if not the best!) pad Thai in the area: plus beautiful décor. It also has lots of vegetarian options, and the duck pineapple was tangy and savory. It is Thai plus French but all fusions are very classy, unlike certain places that go out of their way to be «weird.»

The food was great. It was a Sunday afternoon so it was empty so the service and food was amazing. The crab cake with the chili sauce was great. I had the chilean sea bass was great. My husband had the red curry with chicken, he loved it. We also had the chocolate sautéed, it was good.

We’ve been going to this restaurant for almost 10 years. This past Saturday was the last time we were there. Never going back again.
We finally received our bill after the 4^th time we asked for it. Then we were told that their credit card machine broke and that we have to pay cash. Well, we did not have over $ 100 in cash. So they told us to go to an ATM. This is a significant hassle as we were planning to catch a movie.
So we offered to leave our credit card number for them to charge when their machine is fixed. No, the lady said, we have to pay cash — tonight, right now. Fine. We were annoyed but ok, we’ll go to an ATM and come right back.
No, she said again — you can’t all leave. She demanded that we leave a HUMAN COLLATERAL — either our 13 yo daughter or our 15 yo daughter has to stay behind so that she can be sure that we will come back with the cash!
We explained that my daughters and I were going to the theater to line up for tickets while my husband goes to an ATM and will come back with the cash. But no, she insisted that we leave a HUMAN COLLATERAL behind. Finally, after more negotiation, the lady very reluctantly accepted our credit card in lieu of a HUMAN collateral before very reluctantly letting us leave.
We went back for the last time that night to hand them the cash and get our credit card back. From now on, we are going to Spice II, a block down also on Bloomfield.
Newsflash for the owners — your demand for a HUMAN COLLATERAL may be reasonable in Thailand, but here in NJ, businesses do not demand ANY collateral, much less a HUMAN one, for a measly bill of $ 100 from a regular customer. In NJ, we assume that our customers are not thieves.

Sorry to say that the quality of food and service have declined tremendously. We have introduced many to this place and this evening’s experience was in a word disappointing.
Food was cold and food (steak) was not prepared as asked.
Used to be 5 stars and now it barely makes one. Sorry to say.

First time here and totally disappointed. From the service to the food. I will not be back. As I seat here im listening to repeat customers saying they think the management has changed. Food quality is subpar.

I’ve been eating at Thai Chef for 10 years and I would consider it my favorite restaurant in Montclair. My son and I are regulars and I am writing this Unilocal,as I am sending him if to college this year. I was just actually making a memory page for a book I created him and I was looking online for the Thai Chef logo, and realized that I never gave them the plug they deserve.
We always start with the Four Seasons appetizer. Mickey loves the Pad Thai and rarely wavers.
I shift between the Shrimp Avocado (if you haven’t had this before, it is a must try!). Sometimes I get the Massaman Curry and others will get the fish and lobster in a Champagne sauce. Always time your meal with a fresh fish delivery. (Monday, Fridays in most restaurants.)
I wil be filling in with girlfriends and my husband this fall and texting Mickey when he is not with me with a photo of a great meal he has missed at college.
I anticipate with the new building construction that Thai Chef will become a «convenient, and welcome favorite» of many new residents in Montclair.
Enjoy and savor.
Andrea McDonagh

Above average Thai food with a French influence.
Shaky and spotty service.
Reasonable prices.
We went midweek and sat outside as a party of 6 with 2 kids.
Service issues included difficulty in getting water refills, difficulty in getting the attention of our server, and forgotten ordered items that simply weren’t served.
The food itself was pretty good, though no particular item stood out as exceptional.
Both the the Peking duck rolls and spicy duck salad had minimal duck, and the salad was lacking that delicious crispy skin that could have really jazzed it up.
The sautéed ginger beef was the highlight of our order. Properly cooked with a nice ginger kick and sweet – though not cloyingly so.
I did enjoy the outdoor dining. While its in front of the restaurant along Bloomfield Ave, it’s in an enclosure, so it’s set off from the street. The sound of the traffic isn’t too bad, the occasional siren notwithstanding.
Overall, there’s not much separating it from the pack.

Yummy mango sticky rice! The sticky rice is mixed with the condensed milk prior to serving, and the mango was very fresh. The positive review sorta stops here though.
The appetizer sampler thing was really terrible, the chicken was way to salty and I’m not even sure what the other dishes were.
The pad thai at $ 13 was. eh, compared to my $ 6.50 pad thai in midtown which I have for lunch quite often. I also found the pad see ew was a bit on the sweet side, and the veggies tasted burnt.
The ambiance is nice, and the staff are friendly. However, the service was incredibly slow (getting to order, food arriving, getting the check, returning the card), and understandably so, because the layout of the restaurant was very odd, causing the servers to walk a long distance, up and down some steps to get to the patrons from the kitchen.
Tip: There’s no parking, which really sucks for a cold winter night. So plan accordingly.