Restaurant review: Sweet Basil Thai Bistro in Denton

by Brittni Barnett of North Texas Daily

Quality food options make it more than worth a visit

Photo by Finley Rodgers

Interior of Sweet Basil Thai Bistro in Denton

Located in one of the many shopping centers off Loop 288, Sweet Basil Thai Bistro adds a splash of Asian influence to the American clothing stores that surround it, such as Old Navy and TJ Maxx. Although some of the restaurant’s selections may be priced a bit high for a typical college student’s budget, the restaurant provides quality food that is sometimes lacking at other Asian restaurants and buffets.

The bistro is small and intimate. Asian-inspired art adorns the straw-colored walls, and bamboo placemats decorated with flowers are set on wooden tables.

Sweet Basil offers a variety of appetizers, including spring rolls, crab wantons, shrimp cakes and lotus cups – pastry cups topped with sauteed ground chicken and mixed vegetables.

The shrimp in a blanket appetizer for $6 comes with six shrimp and ground pork wrapped in a shell similar to those found on spring rolls. The shrimp were piping hot and succulent despite their small size, and the shell that encased them added a delightful crunch to the dish. Served with a delicious sweet and tangy sauce, this appetizer is a must-have.

Photo by Finley Rodgers

Sweet Basil Thai Bistro’s house cashew chicken is served with golden-fried chicken breast, oven-roasted cashew nuts and sauteed onions glazed in sweet caramelized sauce.

The restaurant presents various entrees including the golden duckling for $16 and the fish in ginger sauce for $14. Less expensive options include the beef and broccoli, green curry chicken, and sweet and sour chicken and pork for $9. The menu also advertises a variety of vegetarian options including vegetable pad thai, tofu delight and a spicy eggplant dish.

The house cashew chicken for $9 is listed as the restaurant’s trademark dish. The plate is piled high with pieces of chicken, oven-roasted cashews, sauteed onions and peppers all drenched in a syrupy, caramelized sauce. The chicken is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, and works well with the crunchy cashews and onions that soak up the dish’s sauce. Served with a large bowl of fluffy white rice, this dish is filling, customers may call for a to-go box.

For patrons with a hankering for something sweeter, the restaurant offers a few dessert selections as well. Options include Thai custard with sweet sticky rice, coconut ice cream with sticky rice and the banana spring rolls served with vanilla ice cream.

The banana spring rolls for $5.50 consist of warm bananas supplied in a crispy casing and drizzled with warm chocolate and caramel sauce. This dish is a great choice for banana lovers.

Sweet Basil Thai Bistro’s food is a little on the expensive side. However, it’s tasty, and quality food options make it more than worth a visit if you can swing it.