A Guest Feature Review by Gigi Balsamico |  |
The Red Orchid is located on Babcock Boulevard, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
It's in a small plaza along with an Indian market. They have a very small sign that is difficult to see, and in my sixteen years of living here, last week was the first time I ever really noticed that they were there.
So if you’re not specifically looking for it, odds are that you’re going to miss it.
Although they have a lot, the parking was terrible, and The Red Orchid doesn’t have any designated parking spots (except for take-out 10-minute parking).
It's in a small plaza along with an Indian market. They have a very small sign that is difficult to see, and in my sixteen years of living here, last week was the first time I ever really noticed that they were there.
So if you’re not specifically looking for it, odds are that you’re going to miss it.
Although they have a lot, the parking was terrible, and The Red Orchid doesn’t have any designated parking spots (except for take-out 10-minute parking).
Let me start this by telling you that I love trying new things and that I love Thai food.
So when I saw a sign in my neighborhood for authentic Thai cuisine, I knew that I couldn’t pass it up.
Here is my 100% honest review of The Red Orchid.
The review will include, the location, the service, the appearance of the restaurant, and of course, the food.
So when I saw a sign in my neighborhood for authentic Thai cuisine, I knew that I couldn’t pass it up.
Here is my 100% honest review of The Red Orchid.
The review will include, the location, the service, the appearance of the restaurant, and of course, the food.
My first impression when I walked in the door was confusion and claustrophobia!
There was a small ‘waiting area’ where there is a tiny table with brochures and a chair pushed up against the dark wall in the corner. There was a large curtain, blocking the view of the restaurant’s interior.
Once I pulled the curtain back, there was what appeared to be a bank teller window, apparently where people are supposed to pick up their orders. The woman behind the counter seated us.
There was a small ‘waiting area’ where there is a tiny table with brochures and a chair pushed up against the dark wall in the corner. There was a large curtain, blocking the view of the restaurant’s interior.
Once I pulled the curtain back, there was what appeared to be a bank teller window, apparently where people are supposed to pick up their orders. The woman behind the counter seated us.
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The tables were decent-looking with napkins nicely folded inside the glasses. The short, tight row of tables was classy-looking but cramped. I felt like I was sitting on the people at the table next to me!
*I was immediately suspicious of the cloudy pitcher of lukewarm water the server brought to us.
Although the text was small, the menu was organized and somewhat easy to read.
Since I personally do not eat meat, I checked out all of their meatless options. The Red Orchid did in fact have about nine different options for me, so I was really rooting for them.
The descriptions of the dishes made them all sound amazing!
I chose a dish that I knew and liked best: Pad Thai. I also ordered a Fried Tofu appetizer.
I’ve had fried tofu before, but never with the sweet and sour sauce. My best friend ordered the Summer Rolls and one of the chef’s specials: Param. My mom ordered a pineapple-fried rice with tofu.
Our server had a bit of a hard time taking our order because she did not understand English too well. We simply had pointed to our choices. The food came relatively quickly, but the server paid no attention to us after that.
*I was immediately suspicious of the cloudy pitcher of lukewarm water the server brought to us.
Although the text was small, the menu was organized and somewhat easy to read.
Since I personally do not eat meat, I checked out all of their meatless options. The Red Orchid did in fact have about nine different options for me, so I was really rooting for them.
The descriptions of the dishes made them all sound amazing!
I chose a dish that I knew and liked best: Pad Thai. I also ordered a Fried Tofu appetizer.
I’ve had fried tofu before, but never with the sweet and sour sauce. My best friend ordered the Summer Rolls and one of the chef’s specials: Param. My mom ordered a pineapple-fried rice with tofu.
Our server had a bit of a hard time taking our order because she did not understand English too well. We simply had pointed to our choices. The food came relatively quickly, but the server paid no attention to us after that.
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The appetizers came first. And sadly, they were a disappointment.
I've personally made Fried Tofu at home and anyone that knows how to make tofu (or how to fry anything at all, for that matter) knows that the food cannot be soaking wet and then be crispy on the inside.
Clearly, the tofu was not pressed beforehand; it was simply taken out of the package of water it's stored in, then cut up and thrown in a fryer...It was a royal mess!
I've personally made Fried Tofu at home and anyone that knows how to make tofu (or how to fry anything at all, for that matter) knows that the food cannot be soaking wet and then be crispy on the inside.
Clearly, the tofu was not pressed beforehand; it was simply taken out of the package of water it's stored in, then cut up and thrown in a fryer...It was a royal mess!
My best friend who loves summer rolls, and eats just about anything, practically spit her summer roll out! There were stems from vegetables inside the rolls. The wraps seemed old, and were sticky and oily.
We could not attempt to finish them. I was so sad!
Next came the entrées. My meal was huge; it was probably two portion sizes too big!
We could not attempt to finish them. I was so sad!
Next came the entrées. My meal was huge; it was probably two portion sizes too big!
The Pad Thai wasn't very hot, and there was far too much salt in it, to the point that I could taste it!
Aside from that the vegetables were fine, and the noodles were okay, not overdone, but the dish just was not as good as other Pad Thai dishes that I’ve had in the past.
Aside from that the vegetables were fine, and the noodles were okay, not overdone, but the dish just was not as good as other Pad Thai dishes that I’ve had in the past.
My best friend’s reaction after her first bite of the Param was: “Why did they cover it all in peanut butter?”
I tried the Peanut Sauce myself, and it tasted just like the peanut butter you spread on toast with some soy sauce in it. Fail.
I tried the Peanut Sauce myself, and it tasted just like the peanut butter you spread on toast with some soy sauce in it. Fail.
Finally, my mom who ordered the simplest meal, had the best luck: The Fried Rice.
The pineapple in it was delicious and her dish was definitely the winner.
When the server finally refilled my water, it tasted strange, as if she switched from one ice-less pitcher to another. At least this water was cold, fresh from the tap, maybe.
After that, she did not check on us again until I waved her over to us for the check.
She was the only person serving the customers in the restaurant, taking pick-up orders, and handing take-out orders to the poor folks waiting in the dark, ominous ‘waiting area’.
We finally got our bill for a whopping $50.00. I’m by no means cheap, but for a side of rice, four bite-size summer rolls, three pieces of tofu, Parma and Pad Thai, $50?
I couldn’t justify it in my mind. I could've made the food at home, and made it better (without peanut butter or stale roll wrappers, mind you) for under $20.
I’m a huge foodie and love to both eat out and to cook.
The food was not good enough to be charging $12 per dish, and $7 per small appetizer.
Sorry, Red Orchid, but I’ll have to give a 1/5 star rating.
In conclusion, I would not go back to the Red Orchid. While I love supporting local businesses, I do not support serving overpriced, low-quality food. The food was not very good, the water was lukewarm, the pitcher looked dirty and the appetizers were a flop.
The location is reserved and in my opinion not worth looking for. You’d be hard-pressed to find a parking spot there, anyways. Don’t plan to have dinner with more that three people, either, because the biggest table seats four. The Red Orchid did not leave a positive impression on me.
I was so disappointed, because I really love Thai food.
The pineapple in it was delicious and her dish was definitely the winner.
When the server finally refilled my water, it tasted strange, as if she switched from one ice-less pitcher to another. At least this water was cold, fresh from the tap, maybe.
After that, she did not check on us again until I waved her over to us for the check.
She was the only person serving the customers in the restaurant, taking pick-up orders, and handing take-out orders to the poor folks waiting in the dark, ominous ‘waiting area’.
We finally got our bill for a whopping $50.00. I’m by no means cheap, but for a side of rice, four bite-size summer rolls, three pieces of tofu, Parma and Pad Thai, $50?
I couldn’t justify it in my mind. I could've made the food at home, and made it better (without peanut butter or stale roll wrappers, mind you) for under $20.
I’m a huge foodie and love to both eat out and to cook.
The food was not good enough to be charging $12 per dish, and $7 per small appetizer.
Sorry, Red Orchid, but I’ll have to give a 1/5 star rating.
In conclusion, I would not go back to the Red Orchid. While I love supporting local businesses, I do not support serving overpriced, low-quality food. The food was not very good, the water was lukewarm, the pitcher looked dirty and the appetizers were a flop.
The location is reserved and in my opinion not worth looking for. You’d be hard-pressed to find a parking spot there, anyways. Don’t plan to have dinner with more that three people, either, because the biggest table seats four. The Red Orchid did not leave a positive impression on me.
I was so disappointed, because I really love Thai food.
Featured Author: Gigi Balsamico, founder of VegansSavetheWorld.com
*all proceeds go to Defenders of Wildlife Foundation
"This is a 16 year old with a huge heart and big dreams!"
She is Sophomore class VP, President of her school’s TV club/morning announcements, NHTV, VP of HAM Radio club, a member of Photography club, Environmental club, American Field Service club, French Club, Diversity Council, Hands for Service, and Student Council.
"A girl who knows what she wants and goes after it!"
*all proceeds go to Defenders of Wildlife Foundation
"This is a 16 year old with a huge heart and big dreams!"
She is Sophomore class VP, President of her school’s TV club/morning announcements, NHTV, VP of HAM Radio club, a member of Photography club, Environmental club, American Field Service club, French Club, Diversity Council, Hands for Service, and Student Council.
"A girl who knows what she wants and goes after it!"
Gigi and Freddie The only Vegan in her family and she admits that going vegan was the best decision of her life; Next to finding and rescuing her love, a pony named Freddie (rescued from cruel neglect at an auction sending horses to slaughter.)
An avid animal lover and proud owner of three rescue horses, a rescue cat and rescue anole lizard, which are in addition to her bunny, a chinchilla, a Beta fish, and a guinea pig!
Gigi is an active Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services and Grane Hospice volunteer.
Currently teaching herself Italian, Greek, Latin, Spanish, and Dutch. Plus she writes novels and screenplays "just for fun"!
"You go Girl!"
Gigi plans to attend NYU in fall 2017 with a double-major in Creative Writing and Directing for Film, and double-minor in Romance languages and Culture and Communications.
Her ultimate plan and lifelong goal is to build four wild life sanctuaries, four farm animal sanctuaries, four no-kill pet sanctuaries, and restore parts of the tropical rain forests.
She truly believes that every life on Earth has a purpose and a right to live out their life.
An avid animal lover and proud owner of three rescue horses, a rescue cat and rescue anole lizard, which are in addition to her bunny, a chinchilla, a Beta fish, and a guinea pig!
Gigi is an active Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services and Grane Hospice volunteer.
Currently teaching herself Italian, Greek, Latin, Spanish, and Dutch. Plus she writes novels and screenplays "just for fun"!
"You go Girl!"
Gigi plans to attend NYU in fall 2017 with a double-major in Creative Writing and Directing for Film, and double-minor in Romance languages and Culture and Communications.
Her ultimate plan and lifelong goal is to build four wild life sanctuaries, four farm animal sanctuaries, four no-kill pet sanctuaries, and restore parts of the tropical rain forests.
She truly believes that every life on Earth has a purpose and a right to live out their life.
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