We got about another three or four weeks. CK Viranam who is the executive chef at Thai Passion is opening this restaurant according to Hill Country News. Interesting items in the article are focus on “good food and good service” and that some of the dishes that he will be serving.
I bet he will have to americanize the menu more after a few months. I don’t think it will hurt to add some sushi and some more popular Chinese dishes. As long as I can eat my favorite dish of CFR (chicken fried rice) I will be ok.
38 responses so far ↓
1 Scott // Aug 23, 2008 at 7:00 am
I got to Thai Passion off Congress about once a week, so that’s exciting news! However I have to comment on your suggestion to add Sushi and Chinese dishes - isn’t this supposed to be a Thai place?
I’d much rather them focus on a single cuisine than try and mix it up - that approach usually ends with with mediocre food across the board (plus I would imagine the Chef would be a little depressed to have to deviate too).
I’ll mark Sept 15 on the calendar!
2 steve // Aug 23, 2008 at 10:19 am
How about we give them a chance to open and try them out before suggesting they’ll need to change the menu?
I’m looking forward to trying it out, and they should also be able to do a great take-out business.
If you’re craving sushi, you may want to try Midori over off Anderson Mill just east of 183 next to where Randall’s used to be. Not in the neighborhood, but was decent.
3 Pete // Aug 23, 2008 at 11:42 am
Looking forward to it! My wife is vegetarian and I hope there is a good number of veggie dishes on the menu. We go to Thai Spice in Lakeway once in a while (very good) but it would be nice to have a place just down the block.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
4 Melissa // Aug 24, 2008 at 10:17 am
We’re excited too. I have three recommendations, however. 1) Keep the playscape. 2) Have at least one or two kids menu items that aren’t Thai (chicken fingers or something) and 3) Deliver. If you deliver food in Steiner, you are almost guaranteed to do well.
I wish them luck! I know we’re planning to try it when they open.
5 Mike // Aug 24, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Finally something to look forward to. I know Thai Passion ranks high in our favorite places to go, so the idea of having a good Thai restaurant within a short distance is very good.
Now the only thing I have left to keep hoping for are decent restaurants open for dinner past 10 pm. But I guess I’m part of the minority who eat late.
6 Natanya // Aug 25, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Thai Passion is just down the street from my building downtown and we eat there pretty regularly. I’m somewhat encouraged that their place in Steiner will have success and I would be thrilled if we could get decent sushi in Steiner (but right now I’ll take just decent food). I 100% agree with Melissa that they should think about their kids menu because so many of us eat out in the neighborhood with our children.
7 Joanna // Aug 25, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Mike, I couldn’t agree more… we eat late too, which has definitely been a struggle since moving out of the city. Lakeside has been very nice in this regard, as they serve food until 10p or 11p depending on the day of the week.
Hopefully the upcoming bistro next to Fion might serve late as well!
As far as Thai Harmony goes, I couldn’t be more thrilled… we love ethnic food and are so excited for this restaurant!
8 Victoria // Aug 26, 2008 at 9:58 am
I’d recommend that you do not add sushi to the menu…sushi is specialized and I’d rather not have half-ass sushi, just to have sushi.
However, i’ll pray to the sushi gods, to bring a decent sushi restaurnt to us in Steiner.
Maybe a sushi restaurant will move into Miid and Food’s location by Riverplace. If not, once High Pointe Village opens, maybe we can FINALLY get suhi closer.
I also agree with Melissa - please, please, please deliver!!! We get Lakeside 1-2 times a week for delivery and we need more options.
Looking forward to the new Fion bistro too!
9 Anonymous // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Can’t wait to try it!
10 Melissa // Aug 28, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Victoria - Just an FYI, China Pacific and Pao’s Mandarin House both deliver out to Steiner as well (for those times when you get tired of pizza). Just thought I’d mention it in case you weren’t aware.
11 Liz // Aug 31, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I am looking forward to the new place! Hopefully the playscape will go away and there will not be a kids menu! We need a place that caters to adults and who want to enjoy a nice quiet time.
12 Rob // Sep 1, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hopefully the playscape stays and there will be a great kids menu. We need more places for families with kids to go to that has good food. I like for kids to have as good a time as I do when going out.
13 Steiner Res // Sep 1, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Liz:
The new restaurant at Fion will cater to adults, as will the higher-end upstairs at the new steakhouse. Let’s leave some restaurants for families, please
14 Rob // Sep 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Does anyone have any info about the steakhouse? I was curious to know about the restaurant in general i.e. expected opening date, pricing, etc. Thanks for any info.
Steiner Res- do you know something?
15 Steiner Res // Sep 2, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Originally I saw something that said “fall,” but also saw one report saying it would open in October.
The restaurant at Fion is opening Oct. 1, by the way
16 Steiner worker // Sep 4, 2008 at 10:49 am
Thai Passion is a fantastic restaurant. I hope they will not retain the playscape and will not dilute their menu in Steiner Ranch. Playscapes encourage the idea that mealtime is playtime, and dining out would be more pleasant in general if table manners were better emphasized. As for menu concerns, Thai Spice in Lakeway has unhindered access to sushi for those who come unhinged without it. Good Chinese food abounds in the area at China Pacific and especially Pao’s Mandarin House (another downtown gem that migrated to the lake area). Perhaps Thai Harmony will catch-on that offering delivery service but no playscape will make for a good dining environment for those who appreciate it and convenience for those who need it. As for CFR (not to be confused with the Council on Foreign Relations) and chicken fingers, let’s hope this new venue will have the same approach as the Congress Avenue location; I’d like to see them rewarded with a clientele that knows and appreciates good Thai food.
Looking forward to the opening!
17 Victoria // Sep 4, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Melissa, thanks for letting me know about the additional deliveries! (yes, we are tired of Pizza!)
18 Mark // Sep 4, 2008 at 2:45 pm
why suggest chinese food and japanese food at a thai place? I think society is too quick to want a ‘everything in one place’ menu. Thai food is great. Hopefully the restaurant will have success.
19 Caroline // Sep 5, 2008 at 12:00 am
Can’t Wait!!! TEN more DAYs until it opens.
20 Lindsey // Sep 8, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Just echoing sentiments that I hope they do the Thai food well! I love Thai food!
I would so much rather they concentrate on one genre, then try and also add sushi and Chinese (?!?!?!) Would not ever frequent a place that tried to do all 3 at once. Even 2 at once.
As a side note: Thai Tara down on 6th street is my fav in Austin.
21 Jennifer // Sep 17, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Hey Liz…. If you don’t like kids maybe you shouldn’t like in Steiner Ranch. Perhaps Downtown might suit you better. Just a thought. There are not enough KID FRIENDLY places in the area, but plenty of bars/wine bars/ restaurants that cater to “adults”
22 Danny // Sep 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I just came from Thai Harmony tonight. So let me share the good news first. The food was fantastic. My wife and I got there early and were seated and waited on right away. I had the coconut milk soup with shrimp. I also had a veggie stir fry with shrimp. Very good flavors and very good spicing.
Now the bad news. As usual the Steiner crowd overwhelmed them. Shortly after we were served our meal the restaurant got slammed. They were not ready. I saw 3 different families sit down at thier table and then leave as the staff was too overwhelmed to get thier orders. Additionally I saw others leave while waiting in line as no one was even able to greet them.
Hopefully they will get their act together quickly and all will be OK.
23 steinermom // Sep 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm
First, of all, I really really want this local restaurant to succeed.
Whoa. It was an unorganized madhouse tonight. We were told to seat ourselves. No one seemed to be in charge. It was a full house, but nothing unreasonable. The wait staff seemed to have no training whatsoever.
It took forever to order. We waited for 50 minutes and still no food. We left as did about 9 tables over the course of the time we were there (including a lady waiting for take-out that never got her food).
It’s a shame. We were really looking forward to Thai. Finally, some non-fast food, healthy and even veggie options!!! Also, we have celiac in our family and can’t eat wheat. Thai is actually something we can enjoy out. There aren’t many options other than fast food in the area (which is something my family doesn’t eat…yes, we’re rare, I know). Our kid likes Thai too. I hope they get it together with wait staff and kitchen or they will not make it in Steiner for sure.
PS Asking for Sushi and Chinese at Thai is like asking for Italian at a Mexican restaurant. I don’t think you’d like the results.
24 Mike // Sep 18, 2008 at 8:15 am
One thing that might make sense to do is to make a posting (or is it better to post this in the forums?) for recommendations that would benefit Thai Harmony. Same as Steiner Mom i’d love for the place to work out, but I went there on their opening day, and even though it wasn’t full (only 4 or 5 tables), they were totally overwhelmed.
What I ordered was tasty, but it didn’t blow me away. I want to go back in 2 weeks and hopefully the startup kinks will have worked themselves out, but hiring inexperienced people for a new restaurant is something I don’t understand from someone with 2 successful places.
Let’s find a way to provide constructive criticism and funnel it back to them if possible. If they read it and improve, then it will come out on top.
Listen to your customer and you should do great things!
25 Melissa // Sep 18, 2008 at 8:19 am
I went there for some take-out last night too. I was told 30 minutes. So, we went next door to kill time and came back in 30 minutes. We were told 5 more minutes and given our bill. It was all wrong. And they person who took it read it back to me when I ordered, so I don’t know what happened. Anyway, after a total of 50 minutes, we got our food. In the time we were waiting, we saw at least 6 tables get up and leave. When I got home, 2 of the items we ordered (and were charged for) were not included. And I have to say the the food was merely OK.
I really, really want them to do well, but they need to get their act together quickly. And I understand not having a liquor license yet, but why is the patio closed?
26 Victoria // Sep 18, 2008 at 9:59 am
Ok, so to echo everyone elses’ comments, we want this place to do well and hope it sticks around. If not, I raise my hand for a mexican restaurant. Here is our experience, but would also like to provide feedback if a post is started.
So Dan and I decided to try it last night. We arrived at 5:50. When we arrived it was half full and there seemed to be only 3 wait staff. It seemed very disorganized. I didn’t see any busboys and the hostess had to bus many of the tables. The server (hostess) came after 25 minutes - 25 - to take our order. No one asked if we wanted anything to drink. We ordered Thai rolls and Pad Thai with Beef. By 7:05 6 different tables got up and left, 2 tables got totally different items than what they ordered, many groups walk out as they were not greeted after 10 minutes. We never were offered refills on our water, the fried (bland) chips arrived to our table after 40 minutes of waiting. I had to track down my own soy sauce. Our food finally arrived by 7:15.
We felt like we were in Hell’s Kitchen - are there cameras somewhere? is this a joke? It was fun to make small talk with the surrounding tables, most of them were in as much disbelief as we were. I don’t know why we didn’t walk out.. but we stayed and stuck it out.
The food was pretty good, but they need to get their act together. We’ll give it 1 more time before we give up.
Good Luck
27 anon // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:24 pm
When I was in college, I worked for a few restaurants as they opened. All were corporate restaurants (Carrabbas, Rio Bravo). Before they opened, there was always a “Friends and Family” night when the restaurant was open to friends and family of the staff and certain people from the community. It was free to the patrons as the purpose was to get the word out about the food and also work out the kinks before the opening. Maybe this would have been a good idea here…
28 Anonymous // Sep 18, 2008 at 4:26 pm
BTW, I found the owner’s # at (512)922-8551 (he had put an AD on Craigslist) looking for waiters. Do call him and give him suggestions. I think it can only help.
I had ordered a lunch takeout and noticed that along with my food, they did not give you soap - like how Thai Spice (Lakeway) does. Anyway, because I couldn’t resist it, I called the owner up and told him and he said he will follow through with this if the clients ask for it - in two weeks (that is when he is hoping his waiters/waitresses will get up-to-speed). Judging from the comments above, his staff better get their act together quickly.
Lastly, because I love Thai food and am glad one opened right here in Steiner and not being a perfectionist myself, I am willing to give this restaurant a few more chances. I hope other people would also do the same.
For folks who do not have the URL, it is: http://www.thaiharmony.us
Good luck.
29 Jeff // Sep 18, 2008 at 8:36 pm
My wife and I went the other night and I agree with the people here that say they were disorganized, but…
I thought the food was really good. I love Thai food and have eaten it my entire life and I was really happy with the food. The ingredients seemed fresh (an improvement over my experience with the previous restaurants there) and i think the food had good flavor. My wife had a curry dish and I had the pineapple fried rice.
Multiple staff apologized for the experience and they even offered us a discount on our bill. We will definitely keep going back.
I think it is important to remeber this is only their first week…give them time.
30 steveg // Sep 19, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I have to agree … give them time to get the issues ironed out, and in the meanwhile (at least until they get their liquor license), stop by The Market for a bottle of wine to enjoy while you wait. Support two local businesses at the same time!!
31 QueenOfSteiner // Sep 19, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I have been there 3 times this week… take out lunch Monday, dinner Wed, and lunch today… the food is excellent. The staff is trying hard and I feel confident they will work the kinks out… I hope the sometimes quick to judge can be patient and realize it’s a small business just starting up… i remember when Delicato opened their doors and what a mess it was… Today when I came in the owner came by and thanked me for coming back and was very apologetic. The young lady (maybe his daughter) also thanked me for coming back was has always been extremely nice and polite… even in the craziness of an overwheling dinner crowd.
I’m glad to have them in the neighborhood and wish them tons of success!
32 melissaz // Sep 20, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Ok, I too want this place to succeed because the food was great, but…
1) The service? Needs work. In a big way.
2) I got the worst case of food poisoning. No kidding. I ate there Monday for lunch and was excited to go back on Thursday for dinner. Which is the last solid food I’ve eaten since. And it’s now Sunday night.
Anyway, I know that’s not cool, and I’ve let the owner know. But these getting started bugs (haha) may be more serious than you think.
33 BC // Sep 21, 2008 at 8:29 am
@ Melissaz - I hope you were 100% sure that you got food poisoning from Thai harmony. Those comments can be very damaging to a new restaurant.
34 John // Sep 21, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I ate there monday take out. It was so good that we went in for dinner. Dinner super busy and we had a fantastic meal. U sure it was not lake side pizza. ahah. Anyways Thai harmony got my support. Will be going there again. Often.!!
35 sew // Sep 26, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Like many of you, our family was delighted to see a Thai restaurant coming to Steiner which is in need of more ethnic and healthier options.
Our first attempt was a few days after opening when my husband stopped in to order take out. It was so chaotic that he finally just left taking a menu with him. He thought we could call in an order and go back to pick it up. Well upon review of the menu I was turned off by the high prices for what seemed run of the mill Thai dishes. We decided not to go.
Tonight, we decided to give it another try. My husband went in to order take out and they told him it would be 30-45 minutes! He came home and went back and it was more than an hour before he got the order.
Needless to say we were all quite hungry when we sat down to dinner. Instantly, we were all disappointed with our over priced Thai dishes of Pad See Ew and Pineapple Fried rice. Both are our girls’ favorites and they ran for the soy sauce in attempt to flavor their food! We eat a lot of Asian food in general and this was by far the worst Thai we have had. It was bland in flavor, the meat in the dishes was dry and chewy. It was pedestrain at best. We were all so disappointed. We had hoped that this business would do well here and were looking forward to frequenting it. Unfortunately, we won’t be going back-a combination of high prices, terrible service and tasteless food.
I hope Steiner can get some better dining options soon!
36 JA // Sep 29, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I went to lunch with a friend on Tuesday and had an amazing meal! It was quick and efficient service and we loved our meals. (Off the stir-fry menu.) I will definitely be going back!
37 steinermom // Oct 2, 2008 at 8:04 am
OK, so now I finally have tried their dishes (their opening week was disasterous and we left). My husband got take out from Thai harmony after waiting 25 minutes. Another take out person waiting for the order left because the wait was too long. He ordered red and yellow curry and pad thai. They didn’t get the orders right-we just received 1 type of curry. He was not going back with the long wait. It was so bland, it seemed like a microwave meal. The pad thai was amazing though. Husband overheard a waitress saying “wow, it was so crowded the first week and now it’s not; wonder what happened?” I would imagine it’s the bad service the first week+hasn’t improved much.
38 ESE // Nov 1, 2008 at 1:03 am
@Sew, post 35
I find it interesting how so many people agree that the food is pretty good, “decent” at worst. Yet there are always those 1 or 2 people who will make such terrible (if not damaging) claims.
It’s one thing to say you don’t like the food at said restaurant, but to say
“…they ran for the soy sauce in attempt to flavor their food! We eat a lot of Asian food in general and this was by far the worst Thai we have had. It was bland in flavor, the meat in the dishes was dry and chewy. It was pedestrain(pedestrian?) at best.”
seems rather over the top.
I’ve eaten at Thai Harmony multiple times and while the service ranged from terrible to great (depending on the time), the food has always been good… if not fantastic.
Anyways, I just think it’s rude to write off a new restaurant so quick. It’s only fair to give them a chance.
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