Dharma Garden Thai

There comes a point in every restaurant relationship, when one has to admit that, "They're widely inconsistent," is slowly sliding into, "...they used to be really good..."

Am I at that point in my relationship with Dharma Garden? I'm not quite sure. It's pretty close though.

Lately the food has been bland, one-note and utterly uninteresting. The quality of the vegetables has gone down, and often the variety and quantity of them in a dish, as well. The Tom Yum soup today was watery and very vaguely salty and a whole lot of spicy without any of the savory, sweet, tangy citrusy wonder that makes Tom Yum soup one of the best soups ever invented. There was no galangal in it, and a single piece of kefir lime leaf. The chicken was overcooked. The mushrooms, as they've been lately, were big ugly white button mushrooms. I could have sworn they used to be straw mushrooms, or something a little more interesting than kitchen sponges.

They're using broccoli now instead of broccoli rabe. Big leaves of bok choy instead of real baby bok choy. Little changes that are bringing the food from sublime Thai cuisine with a real chef's hand to subpar Thai Food.

My dear Dharma Garden, I really value our relationship. But the spice is gone, baby. You're just not trying any more. I feel like I'm being taken for granted, like you don't appreciate my palate. And there's a really cute restaurant just another mile away that's been catching my eye. I dunno. Maybe I'll give 'em a shot and see if they know how to treat a girl... No, wait! I didn't mean it. I WANT to keep loving you, really I do! But you've got to try a little harder! It's not me, it's you!

Yes, weird decor.
Usually pretty empty.
Very nice staff.
Love the Pad See Ewe.
They have a white wall, which opens to reveal a party room- I have seen it twice and they had a speaker system and were about to get down!  It's funny because the restaurant is very low key and mellow / family like, so I wasn't expecting a private party room.

Darma Garden could be a serious rival for Sticky Rice a mile away if they did something about the decor. You'll find plenty of meat here. Hot really means hot. The brown rice is actually red rice -- a whole grain that's just as nutritious, not to mention beautiful. The menu is interesting, with tasty vegetarian options not at other places. We had a fried appetizer with sweet potato and corn in it -- very tasty. I liked the curry (Panang) with pumpkin in it as well.

We've lived nearby for over four years and just went. They need to market themselves better, starting with the decor.