Great find in a residential Oakland neighborhood. We stumbled across Champa Garden while wandering our Atlas Obscura world over the weekend. Had about a 20 minute wait on an early Saturday afternoon. The space is small and pretty tight. But we squeezed over to our...2 top and had a sit.
Started with the Nam Kaow - excellent lettuce wrap appetizer
Panang Curry - I would have preferred to add pork to this dish, but they had a run on pork and were out, so we opted for beef. I told our server that I wanted it Thai spice hot... He looked at my alabaster white boy skin and smiled, like I was nuts... I told him it was ok, so long as it is not molten hot, I can take it. . . Yes, it was hot...The spice was perfect... and the flavors were probably the best Panang I have ever experienced. Again, I think the pork would have sealed the deal on this dish.
Pad hin Ma Parn - I think this dish was 'good' ...BUT the excitement of the Panang overshadowed the more mild flavors here.
Finished off with Thai Fried Rice with chicken which was very flavorful and perfectly prepared.
The only downside to the evening was the service. We had a very young server, and after our appetizer was completed, they brought the Panang, and then nothing else... no rice to put with it, and no other dishes. We waited quite a long time, and then finally got up and went over to the counter to ask where the rest of the dishes were. We were told it was very busy and the kitchen was backed up... Well, then hold off serving just one incomplete dish and leave us hanging with no follow up or explanation.
Then, we had to wait a super long time to get the check, and then the server never did come to get it. I ended up going up to the counter to finish paying.
So, because of the service issue, I can only give a 4 star rating. But, YES we will definitely be back to try other dishes... or get my Panang with pork next time.More
