The Boston Phoenix

Some might argue that Thai food is old news for the taste-bud set by now. Not so. Considering that the land of Siam has a different curry, soup, or noodle dish for every town -- indeed, for every cook and restaurant -- in its 76 provinces, the discovery of this food culture has just begun. And for most Phoenix readers, the place to start is at the Brown Sugar Cafe in the Fenway. It's an unpretentious spot where the dynamic flavors of the South mingle with the bitter-hot tastes of the North, the kitchen innovates just enough to keep things exciting, and neighbors and Southeast Asian heat-seekers alike come for their dose of massaman curry or tod mun. On the other side of the river, Sweet Chili in Arlington took our top spot. Appropriately for its semi-suburban setting, Sweet Chili doesn't aim for exoticism. It wins hearts with a bright and cheery room and a basic menu of staples like pad Thai, green curry, and fisherman's delight.