Thai Wok’s tasty dishes stand out

Why: Fourth Plain Boulevard has a large number of Thai restaurants, but the newly opened Thai Wok stands out from the rest. Located in the former space of a Hawaiian grill restaurant, Thai Wok sets a higher standard for others to look to. The menu selection has the traditional dishes one expects to find, and the completely remodeled space provides a reprieve from the bustle outside.

What I tried: I tried the pad Thai with chicken and an egg roll on the side, and my dining companion had the pineapple fried rice with a Moon Crab on the side.

Our food arrived at the table piping hot. The pad Thai consisted of a portion of medium-width rice noodles stir fried with white-meat chicken, bean sprouts and green onions. Fresh bean sprouts, ground peanuts and a lime wedge were served alongside. All of the chicken pieces were very tender, and I appreciated that there weren’t any chewy pieces waiting to be discovered. The dish had just the right amount of delicious sauce mixed in so that the noodles did not stick together in globs and there was no shortage of ground peanuts. The fresh crisp from the bean sprouts completed the pad Thai perfectly. If I get a craving for pad Thai, Thai Wok is where I will go in the future.

The egg roll, which came with chili sauce for dipping, was a tasty deep-fried accompaniment to the noodle dish, comparable to others I have tried.

The pineapple fried rice is a mix of rice, egg, pineapple, raisins, cashews, onion and carrots. It was garnished with cucumber slices, tomato and a lime wedge. My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed the dish and said it was the most thoughtful fried rice she has had. The mix of ingredients created a nutritious and light lunch dish. The Moon Crab is a yummy, deep-fried wonton filled with a mix of imitation crab, cream cheese and green onions and served with chili sauce.

Atmosphere: Interior walls and the furniture are basic, bright and uncluttered. Most of the perimeter walls have been painted a soothing medium-gray and display just a few artistic elements. One wall, which faces a street-side window, is used as a chalkboard that displays Thai Wok’s logo. Booth, bench and table seating is available. Fresh flowers are included on every table top and add a splash of color. The handsome, streamlined decor and soft background music created a comfortable dining experience.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Among the specialty dishes is the SSS Duck made with sliced, crispy duck topped with spicy, sweet-and-sour sauce and served with rice. The Fisherman in Love dish is a seafood combination with bell pepper, onion, baby corn, galangal, basil leaves and green beans in a red curry topped with egg noodles. I thought the Wokking Shrimp sounded appetizing. This recipe combines stir-fried shrimp with green beans and bell pepper in a roasted sweet chili and served with rice.

Other observations: The waitstaff is welcoming and attentive, the atmosphere is very comfortable and clean, and the food is delicious and priced right. I think this may quickly become a new favorite of many. There are gluten-free options, and diners may specify how spicy they want their food to be. For a $3 service charge, Thai Wok delivers within a 1-mile radius of its location from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with a minimum $20 purchase.

Cost: Appetizers are $3.95 to $6.95. Soups are $9.50 to $13. Salads cost $8 to $10.95. Curry dishes, fried rice dishes, noodle dishes and stir-fry dishes range from $9.50 to $13. Specialty options cost $10.50 to $13.95. Sides are $1.25 to $2.50. The lunch menu options are $7.50 and $9.

Hours: Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Weekend hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Where: 5000 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

Telephone: 360-852-8103.

Health score: Thai Wok Kitchen has received a pre-opening inspection, for which a score is not available, and is scheduled for a routine inspection in the near future. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.