Chat Chai - COOKS HILL

I enjoyed my dinner with friends at Chat Chai on the weekend. Getting a table was easy and service was very polite! Between two people, meals and a glass of wine each cost us less than $45. Would go again and would also recommend to friends.Location is perfect for a night out in Darby street. parking of course is difficult. Head around side streets/small carparks for more luck.

We went here for a simple meal on a nice Winter's day. Fortunately you can see the attractive balcony before climbing the dimly lit stairs. There are good value lunch specials but more designed for western palates and lacking in Thai flavour. Staff are pleasant and gladly provided extra chilli. The first, and second, wine choices were not available but when paying the bill the third choice wine was discounted without any request. Reasonable value for a bit over $40 but please spice up the lunch specials.

Cashew nut stir fry, with coconut rice is tonight's dinner, ordered by number. I'm also having apple juice. Like most of the other diners I chose to sit on the balcony, leaving the extensive inner area to perhaps one table of fellow guests. It's Monday night and we are few in number! Dining is upstairs, so there are stairs to negotiate. Something sprouting copious amounts of flame was just delivered to the inside table, which I can't see from here. I guess someone's celebrating. Good wishes!

It's an interesting place to get to as you go through a stranger little opening but once inside its a great setup. Good food, heaps of traditional thai meals, all nicely priced within a moderate budget. You can get takeaway here too.

When we arrived at this restaurant we were surprised by the unattractive entrance. We walked with some misgivings through a small door, along a dark passage and then up some steep stairs to get to the restaurant. However, once there we were impressed by the light and airy space and the possibility of dining on a balcony overlooking Darby Street. We chose to sit on the balcony and enjoyed the pleasant evening. Staff members were very friendly and eager to please. The food was some of the best Thai we have eaten for a long time. The prices were reasonable.