I am a confirmed water drinker. As in, with all the eating I have to do for work, I rarely choose to additionally rack up the calories by sipping anything other than H20. But I can be swayed. Since childhood, Korean barbecue has tasted even better to me with a Coke. A few bubble teas a year never hurt anybody. And then, there is the mango sticky-rice smoothie at Ocha Thai Kitchen & Café in Centreville.
The menu at the small, stylish Thai restaurant includes an entire section of “dessert drinks.”
“Do I have it after food or with it?” I asked my smiling server. She seemed nonplussed. Apparently, anytime is a good one for a dessert drink. The signature at Ocha Thai is the aforementioned mango beverage. For anyone keen on ending their Thai meal with a plate of warm sticky rice, topped with fresh mango, this is a version that is best consumed with a straw. The coconut-enhanced rice rests at the bottom, slowly melting the icy, intensely flavored mango smoothie on top. The confluence of textures and temperatures makes each sip a delight.
I preferred that to my other drink, a perfectly serviceable Thai tea. The thin stratum of vanilla pudding on top was a nice touch, and the crackling layer of torched sugar above that made it a believable take on crème brûlée, but even that pales in comparison to the appeal of a mango sticky-rice smoothie. Next time, I’ll likely try the green tea-ramisu, topped with a ladyfinger, along with the rightful signature.
That second visit is all but guaranteed thanks to a savory menu that stands up to the sweet sips. As a lover of Japanese katsu kare, a pork cutlet with curry, I was stoked to try Ocha Thai’s chicken cutlet paired with a bowl of green curry that was as spicy as I requested. I was disappointed that there weren’t more vegetables in the stew, but I realize that this is a restaurant in the category of fun food, not health food. And every once in a while, it’s OK to skip the water.
5037 Westfields Blvd., Centreville
Feature image by Alice Levitt
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