On the corner of Telegraph Road and Brookshire Ave. in Ventura, Calif. sits a warm and inviting restaurant compelling you in to taste beautiful comfort food from Thailand. Chili Basil Thai Cuisine (Chili Basil) takes you on a trip through authentic Thai food with intense and bold flavors that explode in your mouth with every bite.
With a wide variety of options on the menu, Chili Basil serves items such as noodles, curry and fried rice. They also include a delectable beverage menu with anything from Thai iced teas to matcha lattes. These colorful plates make the food appealing to the eye, but the only question left to answer is if the taste can match up to its irresistible exterior.
Thai Iced Tea
This creamy refreshment had such a perfect spiced flavor that effortlessly paired with the sweet notes in every sip. It was rich, but also drew you in for another sip every time with a perfect balance of flavors. The smooth feel and warm flavor made this tea a must order on the menu.
Rating: 9/10
Vegetable Pad Thai
The bouncy consistency of the chewy noodles were a perfect contrast to the crunchy bean sprouts and carrots, allowing you to get a beautiful blend of textures in every mouthful. When first taking a bite, the sweetness of the noodles explodes in your mouth but quickly balances out with delicate strings of bitter Chinese chives. Overall, this was an excellent dish containing so much flavor and sweetness.
Rating: 8.5/10
Chicken Pumpkin Curry
This curry was absolutely packed with flavor. In each bite, your mouth is filled with a new and exciting edge with a bold yet bright taste from the curry. The chicken was perfectly cooked and blended effortlessly with the pieces of carrot, peas and baby corn. The spice level was perfect, leaving you with a nice tangy aftertaste, delightfully pairing with the rice to even the flavors. Altogether, it was a wonderfully balanced and bright dish with so many fun tastes and textures.
Rating: 9/10
Shrimp Fried Rice
The crispy rice had a beautiful charred taste from the pan, marrying with the lovely bits of egg and onions. These pungent flavors danced in your mouth as the bright Chinese chives cut through the rich fried rice. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and had such an appealing snap to them, opening to a steaming, soft interior. This was such an appetizing dish that looked as delicious as it tasted. Packed with spice in every single bite, this plate will not leave you feeling hungry.
Rating: 9.5/10
Price
The pricing here is fairly typical for a sit down restaurant, paying $94.05, with tax, for three meals and four drinks. It is a little on the expensive side, but for the quality of the food, I’d say it is definitely worth it and very reasonable for the huge portions received.
Chili Basil has captured the attention of many with attractive plates of mouthwatering eats and a classy exterior. The portions were massive and the quality of food received makes this such an excellent place for a flavorful bite. Next time you’re in Ventura, don’t hesitate to stop by Chili Basil — you will not be disappointed.
