I was happy when I first saw Lime Thai inside Central Park. It feels like a much needed addition to Central Park's dining option. Perfect timing for opening by giving people a chance to sit outside in this getting warmer weather. We ordered Tom Yam Kung, Green Curry, Pad Thai and Thai Papaya Salad. I think one more salad as well with mango, maybe Mango Salad (?). Anyway, our favourite was Pad Thai. Not wow but good. Green curry was good too. As for Tom Yam Kung, they really tailor the taste to suit the expats who live in Central Park area. It has less or no kick at all to my taste. But my other friend who can't eat spicy at all was just loving it. In another occasion, we ordered in their only salmon dish in the menu and it was fantastic. Highly recommended.

Overall it was okay, nothing really wow but for those people around Central Park who wants a Thai comfort, but too lazy to head to any other Thai joint anywhere else in the city, I think they can still rely on this restaurant. And one plus for their delivery service.

The Spice Is Right?

3.5/5 stars

Central Park’s sole Thai restaurant is already drawing crowds, with hardly a table free on any given night. The place is certainly doing a lot of things right and should continue to be successful, but it seems that many of the flavors are still being tweaked, which makes some dishes a bit unpredictable for the time being.

Before going, we’d heard several reports that the dishes were quite mild, even too tame. The management must have taken the comments to heart, as the food we ate was some of the spiciest Thai cuisine we’ve had in the capital—even spicier than most restaurants in Thailand. The tom yum goong (¥26/person) is the spiciest we’ve tried in Beijing, but the taste doesn’t match up to the version at Serve the People. The pad Thai (¥45) is also strangely spicy for a dish that’s usually a mild starch, with a certain fishiness about it. But overall, the food is very good. The green curry with chicken (¥48) is excellent, and generously portioned, with a coconut-rich sauce and a good variety of vegetables. The green papaya salad (¥32), while fiery, is fresh and delicious. We also liked the sautéed pineapple prawns (¥68), served in a pineapple boat. The fragrant dish is quite sweet, and not spicy at all. There’s a very good selection of fresh juices (¥25-32), and the wine list is more than adequate for a Thai restaurant. Bottles start at ¥138, and ¥40 pours are generous and decent quality.

Service is very courteous and welcoming, and the small restaurant offers a nice environment. Outdoor seating is available, and the inside is nicely decorated, with good lighting and comfortable chairs. Just one suggestion: background music—Thai or otherwise—would add to the ambiance.

Sienna Parulis-Cook