Cha Am - Berkeley

**Food:** While the dishes weren't anything out of the ordinary (if you've had Thai food before, you've likely seen these dishes), they were all delicious. I particularly appreciated that the food arrived within five minutes of each other, allowing everyone to dig in right away! As for portion sizes, the yellow curry came in a small bowl, providing just enough for about 5-6 people to have a generous serving. The noodle and shrimp dishes were served on large platters that were more than sufficient for our group. Overall, it was solid Thai fare. **Service:** It was decent—nothing extraordinary, but nothing lacking either. Since it was a Sunday night, the service was a bit slower than it might be on a Friday or Saturday, as I remember. **Price:** The value was fair. We ordered one appetizer, seven of us enjoyed Singha beer, and everyone chose a main dish. The total came to just $150, including tax and tip, which breaks down to about $18 per person. Not bad for so many dishes!

Up until yesterday, I considered this restaurant to be decent and budget-friendly, though it has always been a bit loud and crowded. However, my recent visit changed my perspective. I was there with two other people, and I noticed that the prices have increased significantly. I ordered the chicken sanctuary, and the portion was surprisingly small. On top of that, I had to pay extra for the rice. It also seemed like there was sugar in many of the dishes, which came with an abundance of onions. The vegetable options were mostly limited to bell peppers, onions, and carrots. I found the appetizers to be nearly as expensive as the standard entrees. I think I’ll be steering clear of this place for a while.