Plearn Thai - Berkeley

I visited this restaurant for dinner for the first time. I decided to try the Mee Krob appetizer, which is not something you usually find at Thai restaurants in the East Bay. It was absolutely delicious. The squid salad was also fantastic, although quite spicy. Unfortunately, the jumbo fried prawns were a letdown. The fried eggplant with pork and chicken was decent, but nothing special.

The restaurant offered delicious food at a reasonable price, with excellent service despite having just one waitress. The dishes were brought out one by one as they were being prepared. The final dish was delayed slightly as they had run out of tofu and had to fetch more. Nonetheless, our overall experience was enjoyable and we plan to come back again. Following the recommendations of previous reviewers, we steered clear of dishes with a red pepper symbol, yet one dish still ended up being a tad spicy.

Wanted a place close to Berkeley Rep for pre-show dinner. First time there, so going off of other reviews for quality and fast service. It wasn't crowded so we had attentive service which we were looking for, don't know how it might be on another night if crowded. chicken satay and Tod-mun fish cakes starters were very good. Eggplant w/ pork and veggies (47 was very good, the beef w/ red curry sauce (27? came as meat only in the dish which we didn't realize and were a little disappointed in the flavor and lack of other ingredients... both the white and brown rice are very good. Portions are fair, we took a small box of leftovers, and we were satisfied overall. Seems to be a nice neighborhood reliable place.

Not bad is the best that can be said. Bland chicken coconut milk soup with chicken meat that must have spent a long time in the freezer it was so tough and dried out. Green beans smothered in an oily sauce, again with no distinctive spicing. At least it wasn't expensive.

Made reservation and arrived and posted hours on line with open table were not close to what was real hours at the restaurant. Plearn in Berkeley didn't open until an hour after we had confirmed reservation. Obviously suggest restaurant and open table update hours. I ate at original plearn all the time in the 80's and eat at the one in walnut creek now.