介绍：One of the largest and busiest Thai restaurants in Seattle, Racha offers a downright theatrical dining experience, from the traditionally attired staff (unfailingly efficient and gracious), to orchids on every table, to decorative touches like the wrought iron lotus blossom forest. Even the huge, splashy murals (including an entire herd of elephants standing vigil over the cocktail lounge) were shipped in from Thailand.

Despite lavish surroundings and high quality ingredients, prices are modest. Traditional flavors including tamarind, lime, coconut, ginger, galanga, chilies, lemongrass, and the all-important basil are judiciously balanced in dishes such as larb gai, papaya salad, lamb panang and royal duck curry. During the weekday lunch, most opt for one of the seven combination plates, a great value: favorites like cashew chicken, orange beef, and sesame prawns come with soup, fresh spring roll, pad thai and choice of white or brown rice. Few diners save room for dessert, but for die-hards, both green tea ice cream and sweet mango and sticky rice make fine finishing touches. -- Ginny Morey