Restaurant Pichai

Rororosa

2.0

We came to this restaurant based on a friend's recommendation. I also looked it up online beforehand & saw that it had been ranked quite highly among Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, so since we don't visit Montreal often, I thought this would be a restaurant we absolutely had to try. Unfortunately, we left very disappointed.

The service overall was fine, & our server was good at making recommendations, but the problem was that I simply didn't find the food very enjoyable.

The biggest issue for us was how salty almost everything was - seriously, extremely salty.

One of the dishes came with chili oil. Since we had children with us, I asked whether they could leave it out. The server told me they couldn't, but assured me that the chili oil wasn't spicy. It definitely was spicy. Please keep in mind that what an adult considers'not spicy' can be very different from what a child can tolerate.

Later, my mother wanted some vegetables, so we ordered an additional vegetable dish. Since we already found the other dishes very salty, I specifically asked for the sauce on the side. I was told that wasn't possible, but that they could use less sauce instead. Unfortunately, it was still very salty.

After being told twice that dishes couldn't be adjusted even slightly, I honestly started wondering whether some of the components were already prepared or mixed in advance, because otherwise I don't quite understand why such small requests couldn't be accommodated.

One thing to note is that this restaurant may not be ideal for solo diners. The shaved ice dessert, for example, was enormous & definitely seemed designed for sharing.

Overall, considering the restaurant's reputation & ranking, I expected much more. I only had a limited number of special meals to enjoy while visiting Montreal, I would personally choose to spend that dining experience somewhere else.

Jeptha

5.0

Great broccoli salad & onglet with betel leaves. Great drinks & food.

Olivier

5.0

Small place but done right with good spacing. Food is superb & & waitress are friendly.

Everything was good but scallops & mushroom appetizer stood out.

Hortense

5.0

Nothing more to say than I love Pichai!

Dylan

1.0

never go here. i showed up with my girlfriend & the host just ignored us & when i talked to him he had a lot of attitude for thirty year old man making minimum wage. we left because he told us they were full even though they clearly had room. i also did not want to give such a bad place my money.

Sebastien

5.0

Amazing flavors! Had the curry dish.

L

4.0

🍽? Food:

⭐ Rating (1-5): 5

Notes (flavor, freshness, temperature, presentation):
The food was exceptional & easily the highlight of the evening. The tofu practically melted in your mouth & was some of the best I've had in years. The Hed Nam Tok (mushroom salad) was beautifully presented, packed with flavor, & is an absolute must-order. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, & the flavors really stood out. They also have an extensive wine selection with something for every palate.

👤 Service:

⭐ Rating (1-5): 4

Notes (speed, friendliness, accuracy):
We had reservations but did have to wait a little longer than expected to be seated. While we waited, we enjoyed a drink outside, which made the extra wait much more enjoyable. Once we were seated, the food arrived promptly after we ordered. During the meal, a bottle of wine was accidentally spilled while our plates were being set down. The staff handled it professionally by immediately replacing the plate & even brought us another wine to try, which was a thoughtful touch. Everyone we interacted with was warm, friendly, attentive, & made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening.

🌿 Atmosphere:

⭐ Rating (1-5): 4

Notes (cleanliness, decor, noise level, comfort):
The restaurant is tucked into a charming location with a cozy, intimate feel. The space is fairly compact, so you'll be seated close to neighboring tables. While it may feel a bit tight, it also adds to the restaurant's charm. It was clean, the lighting was warm & moody, & the noise level was moderate, making it easy to carry on a conversation throughout dinner.

⭐ Overall Rating:

⭐ 4/5

Final Thoughts:

Would I return? What dish stood out?

Absolutely. The standout dishes were the tofu & the Hed Nam Tok mushroom salad. As someone who eats tofu regularly, I can confidently say it was one of the best I've had in over a decade. The shareable plates made for a wonderful meal with friends, & the excellent wine selection was an added bonus. Overall, Pichai Thai delivers outstanding food in a cozy, intimate setting, & it's a restaurant I'd happily recommend for a date night or dinner with friends.

David

5.0

Very good food. Like the concept & the service was superb. Prices are very high. The fermented pork belly was very salty.
Grilled shrimp were amazing. The Tiramisu was a layered cake which was amazing but had no connection with a Tiramisu.
Overall a very nice & enjoyable meal.

Maya

5.0

Best mushroom dish, best green curry & best sticky rice of my life - & I love Thai food. This was a life-changing meal. Would absolutely recommend.

It was honestly the best meal we had in all of Montreal, both me & my partner agreed.

ThomasJB

5.0

Un des meilleurs restaurant thaï de Montréal & sûrement un des meilleurs de la ville tout court.