Sy Thai provides warm atmosphere, poor service

I have never really liked ethnic food, but I had a great experience at a hometown restaurant that has changed my mind.

Sy Thai, as the name suggests, is a Thai restaurant located in Saint Clair Shores, 23519 9 Mack Dr.

As I approached the restaurant, I was a little skeptical of it, because it had a “hole-in-the-wall” feel to it. I got there right around 4 p.m. and aside from another couple, my date and I were the only ones there.

The atmosphere was one of the many positive features of the restaurant. As you enter, you can peek into the kitchen behind the counter. Lots of decorative pieces and calming music gave the restaurant a good flow and feel.

The whole thing seemed too good to be true- and it was. Once I got past being wowed by the looks of the restaurant, I paid attention to other aspects of the place.

As someone who has worked in the catering business for five years, I know that a good server always tries to accommodate the customer, but when I tried to order a fried duck breast on my Thai rice instead of the usual menu item, I was quickly shot down and told to order something else.

I would’ve liked the waitress to at least go back into the kitchen and pretend to ask the chef.

I ended up ordering the Kow Pad Prik Pow Chicken, which is a mouthful in itself. The dish ended up being fried rice with my choice of spice level (medium) with vegetables and a chicken breast mixed into it.

When my plate arrived, I was shocked at how much food was given to me, but I had no problem eating every last grain of rice on that plate. The combination of spices with the rice was the best part; I didn’t even need the chicken or vegetables.

It was the perfect duo of salty and spicy that made up for our non-existent server, who barely attended to my date and I.

Overall I would definitely go back because the food is just that good, I just hope I get a different server.

I give Sy Thai three of five stars, for good food and atmosphere, but terrible service.