Okay, here's how I gauge a good Thai restaurant:
1. You gotta keep me there from the start: "How's the appetizers?" My litmus test is the Satay. Is it cooked or microwaved? Does it looked grilled? Is it a real artificial looking yellow? What's up?
2. You gotta do the simple thing well: "How's the Pad Thai?" Texture of the noodles, freshness of the chicken or shrimp, bean sprouts fresh? Etc...
3. You gotta wet my whistle: "How's the Thai Tea?" Too sweet isn't good. It can't be like candy or a bubble tea drink. Is it gritty, like it's from a mix? Does it taste like tea or sugar? Is it real cream or just creamer mix?
Now, based on that criterion, is there an actual restaurant you've been to that you can recommend? I'm not talking you quote the Washingtonian Top 50 restaurants. I don't even care about atmosphere. The best Pho places are holes in the wall (since I'm Viet, I've looked for the most authentic Pho place; which I've found, btw; awesome stuff); I want to know where the food is good!
I mentioned Thai-tanium because these factors were much better than Tara Thai. I don't know what the restaurant is, but it's located in the plaza by the Arlington Courthouse, I felt like it was too expensive for marginally good Pad Thai. But the tea was good.
Okay, discuss...