Panita Thai Kitchen

05/22/09

Terrible Experience & Double Charge on The Debit Card!!!

by KPSM at Citysearch

We tried this place because we love Thai and because the reviews for the food were favorable. We were prepared for "quirky" service but wasn't prepared for the sorry excuse for service barely provided by the lone waiter/manager. Wasn't a good sign that the plates pre-set on the table were dirty (grime due to open screens in the main dining room). When we asked for clean plates and the waiter (with a huffy attitude) pulled a couple of dirty plates off the next table - I knew we were in trouble. We had a great first course - Spring Rolls. The second course was bad - Nam Sod - it had so much heat it was inedible. The Pad Thai should have been a home run - it was barely so-so. So we paid our bill and chocked it up to a never to repeat again adventure. The following day I discovered that the waiter charged my debit card TWICE and both charges exceeded the amount on my debit card receipt. Tried to reach the restaurant by phone - no answer. The bank has agreed to dispute the charges if we can't get no help from the "quirky" server. So if you see two people picketing the place this weekend that would be us. BTW - keep your cards in your wallet and pay with cash.

• Pros: Good Spring Rolls
• Cons: Double Charge on Debit Card & Horrible Service

11/03/08

thai food snooooooooooooooobbbbbbbbbbb!!!!

by laatlboy at Citysearch

for years ive always walked past this adorable restaurant, covered in christmas tree lights, plants, flowers in an old stucko building...the place wreaks of chic-coolness. being from los angeles, im a totally spoiled thai food snob. everytime id visit atlanta, this place was always closed being that i was only in the highlands during the day. i FINALLY was able to eat there a couple weeks ago and honestly it was the best thai food ive ever had. from the pad thai, to curry chicken and even their rice was delicious. the service is quircky, but it just adds to the uniqueness of the place. i highly recommend it.

• Pros: everything
• Cons: service is a little odd

06/22/08

Preservation!

by gobytrain at Citysearch

I'm an out-of-towner who ate at Panita, basically by lucky perchance. I'm tired from a long day, but my experience there was such that I'm thwarting sleep to see what feedback was available on this establishment with charming curb-side appeal.

One companion, a jaded (but good hearted) New Yorker at my table found the waiter's charm to be in his straight forward, efficient manner. All of us were exhausted road warriors hungry from a long day's work and good candidates to be a high maintenance table.

Yet, our waiter was a little magician who stated and met our immediate needs. Somehow, without our notice, the passage of time was of the length necessary to cook four different entrees (and accompaniments) by a produce-proud Thai uncle while we (his favorite nieces and nephews) sat enjoying each others company in his lovely garden.

I hate to think of those who may have (or will) be undeserving, ignorant recipients of this candid offering. The owner has lovingly and uncannily managed to create a bona-fide experience for a society whose culture long ago gave up the authenticity presented by the unknown for the comfort of redundant. I can only hope such generosity of spirit can and will be met with modest, respectful, gratitude and not a thing more or less.

• Pros: Vegitables are cooked in a manner that reqpects the buyers keen eye for freshness.
• Cons: Love hurts

06/16/08

AMAZING THAI EXPERIENCE- Delicious, Fun & Romantic!

by jens316 at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Panita yesterday and had the most amazing time! From the start you walk in and feel like you are on vacation. The plants outside the windows, the open air and the decor provide a relaxed yet inspiring feel. The food was delicious with wonderful presentation and combination of flavor and spice...not to mention the meals were priced for a lot less than we expected. In fact we were saying that we would have paid a lot more for the quality of service and food. Also, I tried the "happiness drink" it has a fun and exotic presentation yet really packs serious punch....so be careful if you plan to drive. We did leave very happy that day, indeed! We plan to return again and again.

• Pros: Wonderful food, ambience, service, and relaxed thai decor
• Cons: I wish that we lived closer to Panita's Thai Kitchen.

04/28/05

An evening escape

by lmb96 at Citysearch

This restaurant serves the best thai food in Atlanta hands down. It has ambiance galore, and the atmosphere is amazingly serene. The service is relaxed, and in turn, you find yourself relaxing and taking your time to enjoy the evening- a concept that is lost in most restaurants in America. There is no rush, and lingering is encourgaged. When you do get your food, you will not be disappointed. Surin is next door for those who can't enjoy a dining experience such as this, but for those who can, a night at Panita feels like a mini-vacation.

• Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance
• Cons: None

08/27/04

Fun thai-mmm

by jennyg93 at Citysearch

This is by far one of the most enjoyable evenings that I've had in Atlanta! The atmosphere is like escaping to another world, the food is delicious, and the service is entertaining! My friends and I were amazed that the owner was also the host, waiter, bartender, chef, and bus boy! He was incredible and excited to serve us. This is a great place to spend a few hours relaxing. Definitely try a Sake Bomb, it will add to the excitement of the evening!

• Pros: Relaxing atmosphere, Exciting staff, Great food/drinks

10/02/03

The greatest one-man show in Atlanta

by goonsquad at Citysearch

One man. The whole restaurant is operated by one man. If you take issue with this, then you needn't venture away from Applebee's where the servers only have 4 tables each. Only when you have accepted the fact that, by dining at Panita, you will be subjecting yourself to the culinary vision and efforts of one single person, will you be ready for the kind of unforgettable meal that Panita can and probably will deliver. If you insist on wearing a watch to dinner, then you should probably eat at the mall. In fact, don't eat at Panita, just send them money. Thanks.

This is the best Thai Food I have ever eaten. Period.

• Pros: Food, Service(yes, service), Ambiance
• Cons: That I don't have, time to eat here, every day

08/14/03

Exotic northern Thai food entices in an enchanted garden setting.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Entering Panita is seductive: a twinkly-lit, trellised walkway delivers you into a large, inviting room with soaring wooden beams, earth-toned decor and a stacked flagstone fireplace. There's a patio, but eating inside feels like dining alfresco, thanks to ceiling fans that languidly circle overhead and wrought iron screened windows. In cooler months, heat lamps take off the chill. The soothing setting makes conversations drop to hushed tones, while the service is attentive yet unobtrusive.

The Food
You'll find both familiar and refreshingly new dishes. Thai staples such as drunken noodles and chicken satay sport light, thin sauces that allow flavors to shine. Bags of gold is a knockout. The dish features bean curd crisped into a purse holding bean threads, perfectly prepared vegetables and tofu cubes, with a piquant garlic and honey sauce adding contrast. Fork-tender chilied lamb has the right kick, while pra pla mueg's perfectly grilled squid is bathed in a too-hot chili sauce.

06/29/03

Keep it our secret!

by chrismack62 at Citysearch

One of my favorite restaurants. Authentic! The owner built many parts of the restaurant himself. He stops by your table, time permitting, to say "Hello". The chef will alter the food ingredients to suit your taste. The wait staff is very friendly and loves to anwer any questions you have. If you are looking to dine, in and out quickly... Go to a diner. If you want a relaxing freindly authentic Thai dining experience, this is your place.

• Pros: Wait staff, ambience, food
• Cons: not a "quick bite", parking

04/11/03

dont bother

by alrightnow at Citysearch

Although the atmosphere is nice, the food was oily and more like Indian than Thai. The service was horrible!

• Pros: Atmosphere
• Cons: Everything else