A gorgeous new house and wedded bliss… What more can a newlywed couple ask for?  Well, certainly not for the dreaded WDI aka Wood Damaging Insects aka GAAAAA.  Not only were we blessed with wood-born beetles in our living room, we were also the landlords of carpenter ants in the study and termites in the basement.  The full WDI triumverate all wanted in on our fun.  Well, what can I say?  I’m a new bride, and I’m jealous of my husband’s attentions.  After a call to pest control and going Demi Moore (from GI Jane) on their sorry asses, I felt we were entitled to celebrate… outside of our house.  Hence we found ourselves at the oh so tasty Nava Thai.  Nothing can heal the soul like good food.

Atmosphere:  Nava Thai recently moved from being a rather charming hole-in-the-wall behind a supermarket to a new much larger location.  It looked like they bought the spot from an old Irish tavern.  There are faux-brick and real-brick walls playing tricks with your mind, an unused lovely fireplace, and of course, a full Cheers-style bar area, replete with a television tuned into the sports channel.  There are some touches of Thai decor sprinkled around to give it an eastern flair amidst all the Irish heartiness.  Despite it all, the restaurant looked polished and clean, and although I missed the homey and cozy earlier location, I can now say that Nava Thai is a place to which you could bring a date; I certainly couldn’t say that before (unless it was past your tenth date, and you knew your date was going to stick around with you even if you threw a couple of curve-balls).

Food:  There is a reason I chose to come to Nava Thai after my ordeal.  When you’ve been distressed, what you need is good, warm, curl-your-toes tasty food that will slap you back into shape like a stern mother, and Nava Thai definitely delivers.  I have gone to many a Thai restaurant in the DC area, and without a doubt, Nava Thai is the best one.  This is no Sala Thai or Thaiphoon, where you’re timidly eased into the exotic flavors with a helping hand of mildness.  Nava Thai is an explosion of flavor, pulling back nothing, bellowing, “I am Thai Food, here me roar!”  If it’s your first time here, order their Pad Thai and their Panang Curry, and you’ll taste the difference.  The flavors are straight forward and alive, blazing with pride, and henceforth, every other Pad Thai or Panang Curry you eat will taste like a mere shadow of the truth you glimpsed at Nava Thai.   If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the Floating Market Soup.  The broth is exceptional, but the taste is quite exotic and strange to the tongue, so it may take some getting used to.

Service:  In order to service their larger restaurant, Nava Thai has hired new staff.  The old staff is friendly as can be, and you’ll receive nice and cozy service.  The newer staff seemed to be a bit more gruff around the edges.

Summary:  If you want to experience authentic Thai food with bold, uncompromising flavors, Nava Thai is the best place to go.  Not only is the food just amazing, the price is unbeatable, and now with the more grown-up atmosphere, you can even bring a date. Eat up and be merry!

Restaurant information:

• Address: 11301 Fern Street, Wheaton, MD 20902
• Phone:240-430-0495
• Website: www.navathai.food.officelive.com
• Price Range: Appetizers $5-$8, Entrees $8-$12