Tucked away in a hard-to-spot strip mall in Vienna, Natta Thai Cuisine could very well be considered a diamond in the rough.
This gem occupies a small space inside; the L-shaped dining area consists of only nine tables and a tiny beverage bar that greets dine-in and carryout customers as they stroll through the door. 
Tucked away in a hard-to-spot strip mall in Vienna, Natta Thai Cuisine could very well be considered a diamond in the rough.
This gem occupies a small space inside; the L-shaped dining area consists of only nine tables and a tiny beverage bar that greets dine-in and carryout customers as they stroll through the door.
However, the charming Thai bistro finds other ways to make guests feel warm and cozy. The dining area may be undersized, but it’s elegantly decorated. The tables are beautifully lit with sweet tealights and painted koi fish, both adding to the mystical underwater theme. The blues and purples of the restaurant seep into each other and are reminiscent of the sea, while the coral-colored walls resemble a sunset sky. Playing lightly in the background are calming piano tunes, an appropriate soundtrack to the sight-for-sore-eyes interior.
This early dinner kicked off with the crispy fried calamari ($5.95 for lunch, $6.95 for dinner), a declared favorite of the waitress. The fresh squid is lightly tossed in a garlic-flavored batter, then fried to a golden crisp and served with a sweet plum sauce. The appetizer arrived with a dozen plump pieces of succulent squid. The batter was not at all overpowering. It was instead refreshing to be able to taste the squid and not just the batter. The garnishes of cilantro and red pepper shavings added even more depth of flavor to the dish.
After the calamari came the Chicken Pad Thai ($6.95 for lunch, $8.95 for dinner), a traditional Thai dish with stir-fried noodles, egg, dried tofu, green onions, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts. The dish successfully fused these several different flavors together, creating a sweet, yet tangy explosion on the palate. The noodles were the perfect texture and a spritz of lime added just enough bite.
For guests craving something spicy, there is also the Natta Thai Fried Rice ($9.95 for lunch, $12.95 for dinner), which consisted of shrimp, scallops and squid tossed in a hot chili garlic sauce and basil leaves. In addition, Natta Thai offers a variety of spicy curries, including Red Curry ($6.95 for lunch, $8.95 for dinner) and Pineapple Curry ($9.95 for lunch, $12.95 for dinner).
Natta accommodates vegetarians, too, with dishes such as Vegetable Pad Thai ($6.95 for lunch, $8.95 for dinner) and Yellow Curry Tofu ($7.95 for lunch, $9.95 for dinner). Vegetarians can also enjoy a variety of salads, including a Papaya Salad ($5.95 for lunch, $6.95 for dinner) and a Snow Pea Salad ($6.95).
With wintry days quickly approaching, Natta Thai offers soups that warm the soul including Tom Yum Soup with either chicken ($3.95) or seafood ($4.95), a sour broth flavored with straw mushrooms, lemongrass, fresh chili and lime juice.
Diners can pair their meals with a refreshing auburn-colored Thai iced tea ($2.50), a very sweet, creamy beverage made with condensed milk, which is a nice complement to a hot, spicy dish.
For people on the run, Natta Thai has a carryout service. So, come enjoy authentic Thai cuisine in this quaint, cozy eatery or take pleasure in the delicious food in the comforts of home.
Natta Thai
153 S. Glyndon St. SE, Vienna, VA
703-242-4323 • nattathai.com
Lunch: Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Monday – Sunday, 5 – 10 p.m.
