 GIANT OF SIAM 5 East Hollis St., Nashua 595-2222 Serving: Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner, Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-8:30 p.m. Cuisine: Thai Dinner entrees:$7-$13.95 Scoring: Our Gourmet and The Dining Companion each grade a restaurant in five categories, for a combined total score of up to 100 points. Visit the Dining section of NewHampshire.com to read previous Our Gourmet reviews listed by town. |
Appetizer: 16/20
OG: Last time we went out for Thai food, TDC ordered a tom kha gai soup and I really liked it. So this time, I ordered it ($3) and I was equally pleased with it. The soup has chunks of chicken in coconut cream broth with galangal, lemon grass lime juice and mushrooms. Galangal is a root that resembles ginger, but has a citrusy aroma and an intense flavor that is perfect for this soup. It’s also said to be an aphrodisiac, but I’m not so sure: TDC looked pretty much the same to me after I had it as he did before.
At any rate, the soup had a nice flavor, the result of the medley of spice, coconut and lime. The chicken was tender and the mushrooms fresh. This is a nice light start to a meal. 8
The Dining Companion: Ah, the old aphrodisiac in the soup ploy. Used to work in my dating days — guess once you’re married galangal looses its magical powers. No matter, OG still looks good to me…
I decided to try something I have had many times, but never in this manner. I ordered the shumai ($5.50) which was offered in either steamed or fried. If you have ever ordered dim sum or dumplings, it is usually served steamed. I ordered it fried to see what it was like and it was actually very good. The wonton wrapper surrounding it was crunchy, but the inside was moist and tasty. 8
OG: Is he smooth or what? I think that next time we go out, I’ll let him pick his meal first. Now that, my friends, is true love.
Entrée 33/40
OG: The lemon scallops ($12.95) were large, meaty scallops, deep fried and served in a piquant lemon sauce with lots of garlic. The lemon sauce had a citrus and slightly bitter — but not unpleasant — flavor that offset the mild scallops well. It was served with some very expertly cooked broccoli. While the scallops were deep-fried, the dish still is quite light, allowing me to indulge a little, yet still feel righteously healthy. 15
TDC: The salmon green curry ($11.95) was a nicely cooked piece of salmon served with jasmine rice in a green curry with coconut milk sauce, green peas, asparagus, and eggplant. The flavors melded perfectly in this dish. It was so yummy that I used the rice to sop up every last drop of the sauce. This belongs on my “would order again” list of meals. 18
All the rest 16/20
OG: The atmosphere of Giant of Siam is comfortable and soothing with low lighting and Thai-themed décor. There’s nothing elaborate about the place, yet it has a nice ambiance. Our waitress was prompt and friendly and gets high marks as well. 8
TDC: Giant of Siam has been there on East Hollis Street, right off of Main Street, in Nashua for many years. The dining room looked like it sits at least 70 people, so showing up and getting a seat should be no problem. Nothing fancy, but décor definitely fit with most Thai restaurants we have been to in the past. 8
Value: 17/20
OG: We had dinner for three (we brought our vegetarian friend who declared his yellow curry with vegetables outstanding) and the bill came to a total of $57. That’s not bad considering we left full and we left happy. Giant of Siam is definitely a good value and we plan to return in the future. 8.5
TDC: Yes, the value was very good and the value was definitely there. We will keep this one on our return list, especially when our vegetarian friend dines out with us. 8.5
Total: 82/100
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