Johnny Thai Bistro

Great sushi and teriyaki steak.

Not to prejudge, but The Monkey Bar/Johnny Thai had me suspicious from the moment I walked in the door. I went strictly for a meal, but the establishment is heavily slanted towards the video bar rather than the restaurant. Someone needs to tell the manager that even the most well-prepared meal looks like unappetizing toxic waste when illuminated under black lights. When your plate is delivered, your first thought should not be mental image from a Law & Order SVU crime scene investigation.

The waitstaff were friendly and prompt with my $8 Singha bottled beer (yeah, ouch - but this *is* P-Town). Being a single on my visit, I could only eat at the bar - obviously a bar unaccustomed to diners. My meal arrived quickly, but the bar staff haphazardly navigated a sea of empty glasses and bottles to get it to me. Meanwhile, an intoxicated townie screeched in my ear about how good her appletini was the night prior. I slid down the bar one barstool and offered her my seat on the promise that she point her exceptionally large mouth in the opposite direction.

It had been at least two years since I had chicken pad thai - a meal I had long ago cherished regularly in my grad-school days - so I was genuinely looking forward to the meal. And at $21, it had the promise of being exceptional. Unfortunately, the flavor didn't live up to the price tag. My pad thai was bland and flavorless, like someone just handed me plate of boiled rice noodles sprinkled with shaved chicken and crumbled peanuts. At least the lemon slice gave it a hint of palatability.

Johnny Thai/The Monkey Bar clearly aspires to be a video bar, as evidenced by being one of the few venues I've been to in recent memory that has the video screens synched up with the dance music thumping through the PA (because when I see Beyoncé on the jumbo flat screen, I want to hear that girl belt it!). And, for that, there is a fun atmosphere in the place. Sadly, the food did not whisk me away.

Short answer: Go for the drinks and the small, townie bar atmosphere, but pass on the food.

My husband and I really enjoy the food here and the drinks from the adjoining Monkey Bar! We come here every year and I always get myself a Singapore Sling which leaves me always a bit buzzed and order up one of my favorites: the Ahi Tuna sliders....yes, yes, a thousand times YES! The decor is fun, the service very good and the dish and drink names are a good time. I enjoy the Rihanna :) Will go back again next year!