Pookie’s Thai Westlake Cuisine

Hitting 3- Pointers (NCAA Style) on the Casual Dining Scorecard

When any one (including me) rates a restaurant, obviously food satisfaction is the first thing that counts. But other issues such as pleasant ambience and friendly, competent service also rate points on the


Pookie in the Middle with Chefs
Tanaporn Boonyong and Yupin Sukstan

dining out scorecard. In fact, the dreaded Zagat’s sorority house style popularity contest tries, however ineffectively, to evaluate those three categories. In many cases the latter two can justifiably trump food alone when making that crucial dining choice. We all have been to places that have good food, but with service and management so arrogant or a room so uncomfortable that we never went back.

If your memory is sharp, you may remember that I gave the above restaurant a positive review about a year ago. While we certainly enjoyed it at that time, it sort of dropped from our attention since our goal is to constantly search out new experiences about which to write. This is a reprise because rooting for the underdog is in our blood. 

Throughout the country we are all eating out more than ever. However, it is impossible emotionally and especially financially to always eat out at places like Tuscany, Mandevilla, Leila’s or Fins in the Conejo or L’Orangerie, Valentinos and Granita in the tight black leather pants spots of the city. Thus, Casual Dining has become the big restaurant news in the last few years. Unfortunately this trend has engendered the controlled mediocrity rampant in such places as Chili’s, Macaroni Grill and Applebees, most of  whom feature waitresses who inhale deeply before they announce “My name is Tiffany  (or Starr or both) and I am here to provide you with service”. These places actually thrive on that negative ambience or as Gertrude Stein of “Hours” fame so aptly stated “There is no there, there”.

We were out on the town Monday night looking for that elusive  3 point interesting, casual dining that can be found at places like owner operated Cravings. It was closed on Monday and our warm-up attire was not quite right for Rustico in the same neighborhood.   So we searched our minds and headed back toward home and to The Water Court hoping that Thai Westlake Cuisine had been able to survive the terrible downstairs hidden location that had destroyed at least 3 other restaurants.

It had survived and happily it was open. Our happiness turned to joy when Darin Ponyataweekul greeted us in the dining room. The area is spare but attractive, decorated with tasteful Thai artifacts. Tables are set well apart and the noise level low, inviting conversation. Pookie as she is better known, provides wonderful service and adds an additional human ambience that is unequalled in Ventura County. You will actually be entertained in an honest manner as she singlehandedly brings the dishes to your table. 


Pookie's is Busy for Good Reasons


Hardworking and very personable Pookie then gave us the good news. The restaurant had a new name. It was now   Pookie’s… Thai Westlake Cuisine. She and her husband had bought out her relatives who moved to Thailand.The new chefs Yupin Sukstan and Tanaporn Boonyong are from the well known Exotic Thai in Burbank. Exotic Thai attracts the movieland foodies from Warner’s and Disneyland who demand the best even if it is only for lunch.

I always thought Thai Westlake's Thai's food was excellent. But frankly, I cannot claim to be a real Thai food expert. The person with me the other night, however has eaten in all the great Thai spots in Los Angeles such as Talesai, Chandara, Lannathai and Siamese Princess. He proclaimed that the food was the equal of any of the above and a lot less expensive.

Tell Pookie that FrankAboutFood sent you and ask her for the special assorted appetizer tray ($8.95). It has 3 differently flavored items that you have never tasted before. It will serve two. My hands down main course favorite is Andaman Sea Soup ($8:95) named after the sea that laps the shores of Thailand. It is a subtle broth loaded with shrimp, scallops, mussels, squid, fish and mushrooms and a touch of lemongrass and galanga. It can serve up to 4 small bowls or be split for 2 as one of your main courses.

 


Scallop Ginger and Pad Thai

 After that you are on your own. There is a mind boggling selection of salads, noodles-featuring the classic Pad Thai ($7.25), curries, rice, beef, chicken, pork, fish and vegetarian dishes.  You can have a wonderfully varied meal for about $15. In fact Pookie’s offers a special complete multi-course dinner on Monday for $14.95 and a Tuesday- Thursday Dinner with a glass of wine or that delicious Singha Thai beer for $19.95.

The room, the food and the effervescent Pookie thus combine to shoot that elusive casual dining 3 pointer (obviously better than Kentucky or Louisville) every time. I have sent many discerning Asian foodies to this subterranean delight. They all reported an enjoyable repast except for one couple. It is possible that they had a misanthropic streak .The recent night we were  there, an Elmer Dills associate was enjoying his meal.

Pookies is also great for kids who essentially eat free in the classic Asian family style while learning  about another culture. The bill will be lower than at those sterile chains and you will have dined at a place that is a real slice of life. Finally and obviously very important,  the food is much healthier than the starchy, fatty, calorie and sugar laden fare that Tiffany brings to the table. 

Pookie’s Westlake Thai Cuisine

860 Hampshire Rd. Thousand Oaks    805-381-0094      Water Court Plaza Downstairs    
        Open Monday Through Saturday for Lunch and Dinner       Most Credit Cards,              Convenient Free Parking               Catering                                 Free Delivery Within 5 Miles