yaniconquistadora: 8 SPICES Home of the Authentic Thai Cuisine in Quezon City

8 Spices Thai Cuisine & Grill facade.

I first encountered 8 Spices Thai Cuisine & Grill at their branch in Robinson's Galleria Veranda area last year. Since I am a frequent mall goer I regularly pass by their restaurant which is near Giligan's and Starbucks. Thai cuisine is one of the Asian cuisines that I always love to explore because they have one of the most flavorful, fragrant and intricate dishes that are no doubt appeateasing. This is so far one of the most memorable experience I had with OpenRice Philippines in terms of reviewing a Thai cuisine.

Diagonally opposite Puregold Jr. on Mother Ignacia Ave, you can easily find this restaurant which has been a constant venue of press conference and a family place as well. 8 Spices Thai Cuisine & Grill boasts not just their variety of Thai and Asian fusion dishes but also the accessibility of the place and number of conference room as well.

Al fresco dining area. Beside them is Napa Bar & Restaurant which is the very neighboring restaurant that 8 Spices had when they were still occupying their respective outlets in Il Terrazzo Mall, Tomas Morato. One of the owners of 8 Spices, Mr. Bryan Y. Ang, relayed to us that they were never business partners but just good neighbors and contented to be falling to the same venue which was a big old house before. I honestly want to be back here for dinner to experience how it is like during that time when crowd is thick and enormously happy. For sure this is a great place to relax and unwind after a hard day's work.

As you enter this Thai restaurant you can precisely notice the glowing number '8' at the ceiling. I surmise this represents Karma which literally means what goes around comes around because of the two circles, one above the other. On the other hand, the owner confirmed that for entrepreneurs like them number eight is equivalent to abundance, power and strength; the reason why this number is so special to them responsible for giving them good luck as well.

Now, shall I take you to the menu? The following are what OpenRicers and bloggers had that afternoon.

Thai Iced Tea PhP65

An iced tea that is out of the ordinary. This is not an orange juice..though it resembles like one. Strong in taste and very sweet.

YAM SO-O (Pomelo Salad) PhP305

I went to other Thai restaurants before but their Pomelo Salad is never like this. I realized how one-of-its-kind it is. Loaded with overpowering ingredients from pieces of shrimps, onions, pomelo chunks and fried coconut milk solids, otherwise known as "latik". This salad has less of the greens which was unexpected yet containing enough vinaigrette to cover everything on the plate . Excellent way to start our lunch review.

GKAI HOR BAI TOEY (Fried Chicken Pandan) PhP205- 3pcs PhP280- 5pcs
Though a regular staple whenever our family dine in an Asian-inspired restaurant, this 8 Spices' version is affluent in flavor and beautiful aroma as you open each chicken wrapped in fried pandan leaves. I treat this dish more of a viand than an appetizer. As what we Filipinos used to say, "Kanin na lang ang kulang."

A full-blooded Thai chef :) He's very genial and always wearing infectious smile. According to the owner they make sure that they employ Thai cooks/chefs in both branches to ensure high quality standards and deliver only authentic thai cookery practices.

TOM YAM RUAM MID THALAY (Spicy Seafood Soup) PhP320-small PhP380-large

TOM KHA GKAI (Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup) PhP305-small PhP360-large

These two soups are exuding with extravagance and very very very rich taste. Guests can order the Seafood Soup according to natural or mild spice, always the customer's call of course. We commonly agreed to be served the one with mild spice which I found so soothing in every sip, satisfyingly filled with numerous seafood pieces such as shrimps and squid in a warm greatly blended broth. On the other hand, Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup has absolutely dense and creamy broth stuffed with chunks of chicken and ginger and other vegetable slices. Uniquely colorful for a soup. Felt replete already by the time I finished my two different kinds of soup.

KHAO KROOK GAPI (Bagoong Fried Rice) PhP185-single PhP295-platter

I usually anticipate this dish to be very salty yet bearable to eat and partner with most of Asian dishes but this 8 Spice's version is far from the ones I've sampled before. Bagoong rice has real taste of bagoong but not the type that'll cause you to irk because of high salt level that leaves on your palate. This one platter was tastefully done to the point that you want to partner it with chicken pandan :) By the way, a platter is comprised of onion and egg slices and tender pork pieces on top of the rice with matching calamansi on the side. I can conside this as a one-dish-meal already. Simply good.

PHAD THAI GOONG SOD (Phad Thai with Shrimp) PhP285

Honestly speaking, of all the Phad Thai dishes I've tasted this is by far the most elegantly and neatly prepared. I think you must agree with me :) A lovely plate madeand garnished with stir-fried rice noodles, red chili pepper, bean sprouts, tofu, chicken and shrimps. Made even more tasty with with crushed crushed peanuts, coriander and zesty taste of lime.

KHAO PHAD PRIK PAO THALAY (Baked Pineapple Rice with Seafood in Chili Paste)

PhP220-single PhP390-platter

Another dish that wowed everybody! For the nth time, I was so excited to help myself with an aesthetically applealing dish but we have to stick to the rules..shoot first before you eat ^_^ Isn't this a beautiful masterpiece? Made with rich rice infused with pineapple flavor and topped with meat pieces and not-so-salty salted eggs (made the thai way) and chili paste.

NUA RENDANG (Beef Rendang) PhP395

Thanks to the chef who did not make this fiery hot as it is typically designed to be that way. I appreciated its tender beef pieces like the size of a matchbox and potato and carrot pieces in a creamy curry sauce. The coconut sauce and lemongrass distinctive odor were incorporated in a most luscious way.

PLA KRA BOOK (Bangus Sisig) PhP220

Of course this is not a Thai dish at all but 8 Spices made its way to create one since this in one of the most popular Filipino dishes that we love. This is incredibly good and something that I look forward to eating again but on a late night. Oozing with so much flavor that will make you realize that is in undoubtedly feasible to make sour traditinal sisig infused with Thai chef's creative juices. Try it now and drool non-stop!

PLA DOUK PHAD PHRIK (Crispy Whole Catfish with Salt and Pepper) PhP620

A festive dish made using a fresh and live catfish. Obviously colorful and highly decorated that will surely suit whatever appetite you are in. The only drawback I encountered was that the catfish were not fried thoroughly in such a way that you can eat its crispy delicious bone. So when ordering this one be warned of the sharp fish bones okay.

Thako PhP150

I was once got hooked into bingeing Thako and it was relived the other day here at 8 Spices. I am proud to say that I finish two orders of this (about 8 pieces) before. I just cannot control my absurd desire for this maja-blanca like Pinoy dessert. The only difference from our well-loved native delicacy, maja-blanca, is that Thako is made with coconut milk and corn kernel but with small tapioca green pearls on a sturdy weaved pandan case. Highly addictive!

Steamed Black Sticky Rice with Thai Custard PhP180

Another meal ender that is as graciously indulging as other Thai desserts. I wish to learn this recipe armed with the right sweetness level of black sticky rice topped with tad luxurious taste of custard that is so much like a light version of leche flan.

Need I say more foodies??! Visit this place now and allow yourself to experience Thai food culture and fall in love like I do. Remember, they employ Thai chefs for all their mouthwatering dishes.