Marnee Thai

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2225 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (at 23rd Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94122

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(415) 665-9500
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Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Marnee Thai - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 70 )
( 15 )
( 5 )
( 4 )
( 8 )

Best

Great food, great ambiance and the menus are great too. \r We enjoy every time we go and will recommend it to anyone

Worst

I use to eat at this restaurant frequently because the food was so good that I was able to overlook the horrible service and that loud annoying owner. But when I ate there this p...

Worst service ever!!! 9/4/2007

You may have read my same review somewhere else, but it's only because I need to get the word out there that the service is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Cons: service, food is ok- can get better thai food AND great service somewhere else more

Great Food! 8/25/2007

We had lunch there, and the food was exceptionally delicious. If we lived in SF, we would eat there often. Pros: Fantastic Food Cons: Given a dirty saucer with our tea more

Marnee Knows Thai 7/29/2007

by VML at Menuism Provided by Menuism
A Harmony of sweet, salty, sour and spicy foods work in harmony to create an explosion of flavor in the... more

Marnee Knows Thai 7/29/2007

VML Provided by Partner
A Harmony of sweet, salty, sour and spicy foods work in harmony to create an explosion of flavor in the mouth at Marnee Thai. I recommend to s... more

Marnee Knows Thai 7/29/2007

VML Provided by Partner
A Harmony of sweet, salty, sour and spicy foods work in harmony to create an explosion of flavor in the mouth at Marnee Thai. I recommend to s... more

If I had to choose just one Thai place for the rest of my life... 5/30/2007

This would be it. I have been going there for years, and recently took my parents who were in the country for a visit. The decoration is very interesting in the original location, like being in a big straw hut. The tables are a little close together, but it doesn't take away from the experience of dining there. The food was all perfectly seasoned, not too spicy, but just spicy enough for the sweet Thai tea to offer a wonderful contrast during the occasional sip. Marnee was on the dining room floor, sure that we ordered well and that when the food came that it was served properly. She stopped my mother just before she took a bite of her imperial roll to be sure she included a leaf, some sauce, and noodles in the bite. Maybe someone who is way too sensitive would have been put off, but really it was funny and added to the experience of eating there. Marnee just wants to be sure you get the absolute most from the experience of eating there. And for the price, which is very, very inexpensive, you get such a great meal. This is one of my favorite away (from downtown) spots to take people, and I will keep visiting until I leave the city, which I hope never happens. Pros: Perfect flavoring, good service, fun ambience Cons: I'm getting hungry just thinking about it, but cant get over there just now. more

Great Thai food! 4/3/2007

Marnee Thai is delicious! I went for a Thursday night dinner and it was a wonderful experience. Although we didn't have a reservation, we were seated and served immediately. The menu has an extensive selection and there are also a variety of daily specials. We had the corn cakes appetizer, which was scrumptious - we couldn't get enough! We also had the chicken skewers with peanut sauce (good, standard), pumpkin curry (interesting and yummy), and a sweet-and-sour chicken dish with vegetables (tasty, but a little bit more on the Chinese food side). Everything was reasonably priced as well. I would definitely go back! Pros: location, food, selection, service more

Best Thai Restaurant in Town 3/30/2007

Have to give Marnee Thai a full 10. I remember when I went there the first time, I felt very authentic from the decor and the food. The space is a bit crowded, but the food definitely makes up for it. I have known the couple who own the restaurant for many years. They are very nice people. All in all, all stars are aligned for the excellence of this restaurant. more

The Best Thai "Angel Wings" your taste buds will ever experience!!! 3/8/2007

I've been dining here for many years now and May is the sweetest and most gracious hostess. If you don't know what your palate needs, she can help to educate your taste buds. I enjoy their "Angel wings" and the "Roti" (dessert) is to die for... Pros: Fast service! Cons: Closes at 10:00 p.m. more

BEST Thai in San Francisco 3/7/2007

Marnee is the BEST! I have had Thai food in countless restaurants, and I return to Marnee as often as I can. The menu and specials offer a wide range of choices from common dishes (e.g. Pad Thai) to unique treasures (e.g. Seabass in Spicy Red Sauce with Mixed Vegetables). Whatever the dish, the flavors are rich and wonderful. Vegetarian friends love it for its wide selection. Yes, the line can sometimes be long, but it's always worth the wait. And, if I don't want to wait, I'll call ahead and order take-out. If I had to list "favorite dishes," I would end up copying most of the menu. My one complaint -- I got full and couldn't eat any more. Guess I'll have to go back another time. Pros: Everything is delicious! Cons: I get full and can't eat more! more

good authentic 3/4/2007

I think Marnee Thai is one of the best authentic style thai I've ever had. It is not contemporary like thai house express in the TL, it's the basics that are done really well like the sattay chicken or the lemon grass soups. I think thai foodisn't worth it if it is mediocre, there's something about thai that always has to be exotic and special. That being said, Marnee Thai holds it's own. Everything is savory and unexpected. Pros: Great authentic food Cons: crowd, loud boisterous owner more

Marnee is SF's most authentic "Thai" dining experience 2/26/2007

This restaurant deserves its consistantly high rating. If you are looking for a truly "authentic Thai" dining experience, read on... By authentic, I mean that both the food and the atmosphere are about as close as you will get to dining on Thonon Sukhumvit in Bangkok. This place gets crowded and noisy - and that's what we love about it. You might even get relocated mid-meal in order for the owner to accommodate a last-minute large party that needs your former table. Your menu choices will probably get "yelled back" to the kitchen as you are ordering. But whether you are a Thai food novice or veteran, give the owner a chance as she twists your arm to recommend items that are truly delicious. (A friend once said of Marnee, "It was the best food I never ordered!) Break out of the boring "Pad Thai" routine and give some other items a try - if you ask nicely, and for a couple bucks more - try the "Pak Gra Praow Gai - Kai Dao" (with a fried egg to break over your rice - a neat trick to temper the spices.) This all makes for a unique ambiance that you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Pros: Excellent food! Fun atmosphere! more

Not great for a vegetarian 2/24/2007

I am a vegetarian, and I was impressed by looking at some of the reviews. Moreover, reading the reviews,I felt that this restaurant had a vegetarian friendly atmosphere. Pros: coconut water, iced tea, ample parking (after 8:30 PM) Cons: soup, veggie food more

The only authentic Thai food I've had outside Thailand 2/22/2007

My wife and I went to Thailand over the summer and when we returned, we craved the food we experienced in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, the Thai restaurants here in S.F. were disappointing as we could not find the flavors we craved uless we searched out hard to find Thai ingrediants and cooked for ourselves. Recently however, we re-visited Marnee Thai and were pleased at how auththentic the food tasted. While in Chiang Mai, we took a Thai cooking class and learned the importance of fusing fresh ingediants. Most Thai food we've encountered outside Thailand seems to cut corners by using manufactured mixes or pastes. Thankfully Marnee Thai lives up to our expectations for exceptional Thai food. If we are unable to cook our own authentic Thai food, we will go down the street to our new favorite Thai restaurant. Pros: Great Food Cons: No longer a secret place for locals more

Local Fave-- lucky to live nearby 2/13/2007

I love marnee thai and have eaten at both locations many times and have never been disappointed. The staff is friendly, courteous, gives excellent service, and every dish i've tried has been so flavorful. The variety of the food and willingness to personalize upon request is excellent as well. But probably my favorite part is the family-owned and operated atmosphere. Marnee herself will often be serving your food and man, she knows her stuff. Her recommendations are always right on and the friendly service is just unmatched in my book. This is a favorite spot for me and my friends to eat in a large or small group, and always a fun experience. Mostly it's this personal touch, attentive service, and delicious food that makes Marnee Thai my favorite sunset restaurant. Oh, and take-out service is quick and tasty too. Pros: Food, service, fun Cons: crowded at times more

Terrible Thai Food 1/27/2007

I don't know what people are smoking giving this place such a high rating. I must've tried at least a dozen other Thai restaurants in the city and they were all much better than this place. I would say most Thai restaurants are similar and range from ok to little better than average, but this place just didn't do it for me. For starters the portions were so tiny it was ridiculous. The food were not very good and should not even be considered restaurant quality. I would most definitely not go a second time. Pros: nothing Cons: bad food, pricey, small portion more

Good Food but Beware the Waitress! 1/27/2007

Marnee has fantastic thai food but I was repulsed when a waitress there agressively tried to push me to order more plates than my family felt like eating. My wife and I have three small children and 4 dishes with rice are more than enough, but when we politely refused to order more dishes, the waitress mentioned an $8 minimum per person. She said she'd make an exception but then ignored us the rest of the night-- we wanted extras rice and water refills and had to be adopted by another waiter. She gave a great restaurant a bad taste, and although I reccomend Marnee Thai, beware of her! Pros: FOOD IS FANTASTIC Cons: Specific waitress more

Best Thai Food in Town! 11/9/2006

I had a good experience in this restaurant. One waitress, probably the same person some people mentioned in here, may be some pushy. But when I asked some questions about menu, she is the one who knows everything. Food was great. I think the price is average. This time I went in my lunch time, and I definitely go back for dinner with my family Pros: Everything! Cons: None more

Excellent cuisine/resonable price 10/3/2006

I wasn't expecting much when a friend of mine took me here. Frankly, it's pretty much a hole in the wall. That said, the owners and staff or Marnee have made the most of such a small space. I've eaten in far too many places with a great atmosphere and awful food. The so-so ambiance is a small price to pay, imo. While it is cramped, you hardly notice once you taste the cuisine. Add to that the fact that the staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable and you have yourself a winner. As small as it is they've never hesitated to acommodate my large family gatherings who've had a hankering suddenly for Thai. My favorite Thai restaurant in San Francisco...easily. Pros: delish, easy on the wallet Cons: extremely cramped more

Wonderful!! 9/29/2006

This is one of the best Thai food places I have ever been. I told several people about it, and they have contacted me to thank me for the recommendation! Very unique and classic flavors! PROS: Absolutely excellent in every way! CONS: more
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Menu for Marnee Thai


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Traditional Thai cuisine, served with a little motherly T.L.C., has made this restaurant a Sunset District fave.

Owner Message
  • When Chai Siriyam opened his celebrated Marnee Thai restaurant in San Francisco in 1986, he hoped to give his patrons a taste of Thai cuisine and culture so transporting that they could enjoy the country?s wonders without ever having to leave the neighborhood. His plan worked. Ad yet more than twenty years on, Chef Chai?s artistry and balanced hand with Thailand?s inimitable cuisine may in fact have sent just as many newly minted Thai-food enthusiasts to his homeland as they?ve brought through his restaurant door.

    The Taste of Thailand
    Skilled Thai cooks have an almost sixth sense for synthesizing disparate flavor elements into a seamless, unified, utterly balanced whole. And that?s not something they?ve achieved by accident. Thai cuisine has been developing as long as has Thailand itself, and over that time, it?s practitioners have learned which ingredients counter others, when to pair something mild with something heavy, and when to balance something hot with something s weet.

    The chief tools of this edible art are the herbs, spices, roots, shoots and other ingredients that comprise the Thai cook?s seasoning armamentarium. There?s nothing particularly mysterious or exceptional about the contents of the Thai pantry. Ingredients like cilantro, kaffir lime leaf, sweet basil, mint, lemongrass, coriander seed, cumin, peppercorns, garlic, galangal, ginger, chilies, tamarind, shallots, coconut milk palm sugar, dried shrimp, and fish sauce are common coin throughout SE Asia.. The North
    Slow-simmered,smoothly seasoned comfort foods make Northern Thai cooking stand out; creamy curries and coconut milk soups; meats and vegetables with a tangy edge of lime; little ground-pork sausages called name; and the regional predilection for sweet glutinous rice,steamed and rolled into palm-sized balls that are handy for dipping into pungent relishes and sauces.

    The Northeast
    Thailand?s barren,rugged North-lying just across the Mekong River from Laos and Cambodia-got dealt a tough hand with its unforgiving landscape. The irony of it all is that despite its obvious unsuitability to farming,the area developed mainly on an agricultural model. But while the Northeast,also called the Isan,remains Thailand?s least economically prosperous region,culinarily,it?s a diner?s dream.

    The South
    This narrow strip of land stretching from Central Thailand down to Malaysia is a little bit of paradise nestled between the Indian Ocean on the west and the Gulf of Thailan d on the east. Southern Thailand promises a lush natural bounty and conditions ideal for growing tropical produce.

    The Central Plains
    The Chao Phraya River Valley in Thailand?s Central Plain is both rice bowl and produce market to the country. Yet it?s squeezed up against the 21st-century metropolitan city of Bangkok. This region is home to Thailand?s palace cuisine,while also laying claim to one of Asia?s most enticing street-food scenes.

    *Please Visit Our Website for More Information*

Editorial
  • The Scene
    The interior evokes a little bit of Thailand, complete with woven-grass walls and hanging plants. The motherly hostess (and chef-owner's wife) makes comfortingly authoritative...

  • 12/16/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday-Sunday
  • Payments: American Express, Cash, Visa, Discover, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Central Sunset, Central West
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