Chedi Restaurant (formerly Thailand)

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  5     

After seeking 96% like on Urbanspoon, we were keen to try Chedi. This is where Eatability beats Urbanspoon, like/dislike is not enough to rate a restaurant. Duck salad was very nice. Pepper Corn Chicken also good! Fish cakes had egg added to make them lighter but not bad!

Feb 06, 2012 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

We have been 6 times over the past 2 years - Amazing value and food quality. Every dish we have tried has been a great surprise and unique flavours. I saw another review comment on cantonese undercurrent - well whatever it is, it works. Every aspect of this restaurant works and value is 10/10.

The black pepper duck is to die for and the other dishes are all excellent. In fact it makes dining at other Thai restaurants a challenge since they cannot match the flavour creativity.

You could argue that this is potentially the best restaurant in Sydney based on the creativity, quality and value. I know that's a tall order but across the menu their choices are all good - it's hard to say that about other restaurants. And the service is great, although when it gets crowded it slows down a bit. I was tempted to give this place 10/10 across the board, but some may think I was lacking any objectivity.

I have been in quite a few up market restaurants - and they should use Chedi Thai as a standard to match before assuming they can charge what they do for what they serve. Never been disappointed here.

Dec 29, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

The crispy pork with chili and basil is a must try. The table next to us only ordered the crispy pork to share. Chicken green curry came with eggplant, beans and tiny vegetable which they called “Thai eggplant”. Before we left, one of the waiters gave us the business card and offer the complimentary parking for our next visit. Very impressive crispy pork and service.

Nov 14, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Chedi Thai seems to get passed over when people look for a good Thai meal on King Street. I think that largely has to do with its location, it is north of Missendon Road and so not in Newtown's "centre". Just as well, I like the fact that the place generally doesn't get overly crowded.

I like the owners very much, the husband in particular is amiable and chatty. They seem to have an honest interest in seeing that their patrons have a pleasant dining experience. That in itself is a nice thing and is first reflected in the handsome, understated and fairly authentic interior.

The staff itself is a little less smooth than the owners, but they are pleasant and efficient. Occasionally, when things are crowded, service does slow down a bit, but not enough to really affect the meal.

And the food? Generally speaking, first rate. The Massaman beef is the best I've tasted and their Chili Basil Chicken (one of my "test" dishes) is also very good. I suggest that you go with a large party, so you have a chance to try a variety of quite palatable dishes. The prices on the whole are a bit pricier than other spots, but given the quality of the offerings are better, I don't mind at all. There are one or two dishes I think are honestly overpriced (e.g., the Pad See Ew), but in general the place is a good deal.

One last, very attractive touch: they have parking! On a Friday or Saturday night, finding a spot in Newtown is often difficult, if not impossible. Knowing that you can park for free makes it a good destination if coming from out of the suburb.

A really good bet!

Oct 27, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Food is good, not 100% traditional Thai but still quite good. Food is blended with a Cantonese undertone using delicate flavors and textures, which is a nice escape from the westernized Thai that can be so unbalanced and overly flavored. A great accompaniment to the the food is the owner. I date a Hong Konger and the owner has lived there in the past. He came over and chatted with us at the end of our meal telling us stories about his days as an extra in old kung fu movies and old stories about his days in asia. Lots of fun.

Ambience is nice as well, not extremely romantic but good for a date or a special dinner. Service was timely and friendly. Pricing is on point I left feeling like I got value. Recommended.

Jun 15, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

Cracking food, great atmosphere. A real gem that's easy on the hip pocklet with lovely staff. I haven't been to many Thai places in Newtown but this would be pretty tough to beat. Would definitely be back.

May 03, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  1     

It was disappointing and bad, both the food and the service. Overpriced, poorly cooked and rude service. At $17.90 the Crispy Pork Belly was overcooked, chewy and skin not crispy. There was an abundance of pig hair also still on the skin, not removed with a blowtorch as is the norm in all restaurants.

Our waiter insisted 'that is how Thai people like it' and said there was no skin, as it was pork belly. As a genuine foodie I know my cuts of meat and not only was the waiter rude, he didn't have basic food knowledge! Look up any recipe online for Thai Crispy Pork Belly (Moo Krawp in Thai) and clear as day, there is the pork skin with no hair and that skin is crispy.

Secondly we ordered the Red Curry with Roast Duck. The duck was overcooked, the curry very thin and for $18 there was more pineapple than duck.

Our waiter (who appeared to be the supervisor) couldn't have cared less about our experience. He was sarcastic and insisted we were wrong instead of just owning up to serving a bad dish and accepting our feedback, even when we showed him the pig hair! (btw I took a photo of the hair for my blog)

Save your money and don't ruin your night. I never had such rude restaurant service in my life. I guess Chedi doesn't care about serving bad food, but the customers surely do care!!!

Mar 31, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Good Thai food! Fresh, tasty and full flavour, ticks all the boxes.

Mar 25, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

This is one of the few Thai restaurants in Newtown that use tiny Thai eggplants for their jungle curry. Great restaurant!

Jan 11, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

You'll be hard pressed to find better ambience and service at any other Thai restaurant in Newtown. Dined here as a group of 4 on a Tuesday night. Shared 2 entrees and four mains all of which were delicious, fresh and flavousome. Being made to feel welcome in a restaurant is definitely a nice touch and when it's backed up with great food, you're on to a winner.

Response from Management:
Thank you for your review of Chedi Thai. I am glad that you and your friends enjoyed their dining experience at Chedi Restaurant and appreciate your very positive review. Word of mouth is so important in hospitality and to restaurants in particular. See http://chedi.com.au/chedinews/word-of-mouth
I have been searching Eatability for a restaurant for a special birthday and find that it is more common for a person to review a bad experience rather than a good one. So it is pleasing to see our 100th review is so upbeat and positive.

Nov 10, 2010