Toom Toom Thai gives diners a world of choices

I've had some mixed experiences with Thai restaurants in the past few years. Thanks to a recent visit to Toom Toom Thai in Elgin, though, I've finally found one that hits the high marks inall categories.

Opened in November 2009 and located in downtown Elgin, Toom Toom Thai offers great food with fresh ingredients at reasonable prices. And they do so with smiling service in a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.

Run by chef/owner Uthatwan "Toom" Wiitanen, the restaurant serves a classic mix of Thai dishes with some American items added in - like the wonderfully tender pepper steak, a combination of thinly sliced beef with onion, tomato, mushrooms and green peppers. It's packed with flavor, but not too spicy - just the way we wanted it.

"My father cooked for many American friends (in Thailand) and he tried to adapt Thai foods for Western guests," Wiitanen said. "I learned to cook this pepper steak from him."

Our evening at Toom Toom began with appetizers of veggie egg rolls and Toom Toom pao. The egg rolls were light and crispy with a fresh mix of vegetables. They were paired with two dipping sauces: One was a very light sweet and sour sauce, the other packed a bit of a kick. The daily special of Toom Toom pao were delicious soft, fresh-steamed buns filled with barbequed pork.

Toom Toom serves the classic Thai soup of tom yum, and I could have made a full meal out of this wonderful mix of fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and your choice of either chicken, shrimp or tofu in a slightly sour broth. I went with the chicken, but was most impressed by the flavorful broth and the vegetables - perfectly fresh, not overdone. Like most of the dishes at Toom Toom, you can also choose your spice level with this soup.

Under Toom Toom's Signature Entrees list is the basil chicken. A nice mix of ground chicken and fresh basil leaves - picked by Wiitanen's mother from their own garden - is served with white rice. Flavored by peppers and garlic, this dish pleases all the senses.

Toom Toom's menu features many dishes where you can pick your components. For example, in the stir-fry noodle menu, diners can choose from 10 different noodles, add in vegetables and sauces, and then select a protein - beef, chicken, tofu or shrimp. Curry dishes and noodle soup options offer the same ability to customize.

Many of these combinations are healthy, as well. Wiitanen often recommends the clear woonsen noodle dishes.

Toom Toom's attention to detail extends to their simple dessert menu, highlighted by the sticky purple rice, served with your choice of ice cream, banana pudding or fresh mango. The warm, dark purple grains were slightly sweet and matched perfectly with the cool slices of sweet mango.

Toom Toom Thai offers affordable, high-quality, fresh food from appetizers to dessert, served by a caring family. This is definitely a restaurant worthy of traveling the extra miles.

Toom Toom ThaiInfo: 23 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 531-8755, toomtoomthai.netCuisine: Authentic Thai dishes with American influencesSetting: Comfortable modern setting in renovated downtown buildingEntrees; $7.95 to $10.95Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed on TuesdayFalse20001037Toom Toom pao arrive freshly steamed and filled with pork.Brian Hill | Staff PhotographerFalse