Restaurant Review

Vatsana enhances Pawtuxet Village food choices

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Pawtuxet Village just added another reason to think locally when choosing a place to dine or take out. Vatsana has opened next to Shastea at 2168 Broad St. in the village, offering quality, authentic Thai and sushi in an intimate setting.

The building previously housed a Chinese restaurant and before that a variety of markets and delis. Hopefully, Vatsana will prosper and be around for a long time.

The menu is carefully constructed to offer basic Thai cuisine in a variety of categories. “Noodles & Rice” lists the choices of Tofu ($9.50), Chicken/Beef/Pork ($11.50) and Shrimp $(12.50). Diners then have seven choices, including Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Pad Kee Mow, Lad Na and three fried rice dishes. The Coconut Curry dishes are served with jasmine rice and include red, green, yellow, Massaman and Panang styles.

Joyce was drawn to the meat & vegetables list, choosing shrimp with ginger, bell peppers, onion and mushrooms in chili pasta sauce ($12.95). The delicious sauce mixed perfectly with the jasmine rice.

In addition to the choices of tofu, chicken/beef/pork/shrimp and shrimp for $14.95 you can have duck, salmon or tilapia. I chose an entrée-sized salad called Yum Seafood, which was Thai style ceviche and included shrimp, squid, scallop and fish mixed with fresh lime juice, lemongrass, peppers and red onion ($14.95). It was the best, and most original ceviche I have ever tasted.

There are a number of house specials, including duck, sesame beef, crispy pork and mango coconut curry ranging in price from $9.95 to $16.95. The food is fresh, with a colorful presentation, served with a smile by helpful waitpersons who will explain some of the strange Thai words.

The restaurant is BYO, but the liquor store on the corner offers a 10 percent discount for Vatsana customers.

Vatsana is open Sunday through Friday, excluding Wednesday, when they take the day off, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 4-10 p.m. Call 781-1888 for reservations, information or take out.

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