Toi on Sunset

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

TOI was one of my favorite restuarants. I ordered from them for delivery for years and have been to the actual restaurant countless times. However, last night changed all of that. Having attended a b-day dinner, all was great. However, as we left, things took a sudden change. Once outside, out waiter comes out and asked us to sign an additional receipt. I did so no questions asked. He thanked us and went back inside, at which the cashier came out and then accused us of not paying the full bill. Confusion arose. We had paid the bill with two cards. I have the receipts for BOTH transactions. I showed these to her, she apologized and went inside. My friends and I chatted a bit before crossing the street-- at which time it dawned on me that I was given receipts and fortune cookies, but NO DEBIT CARD. I went inside to question this. The employees became very rude, accusing us of not giving them a card, etc. Again I showed them both receipts... questioned where my card was. They claimed I didnt supply them a card-- then said they ran the card and returned it... then said they didnt know where the card was... started using foul language and told us to leave. I immedietly called my bank-- which verified I was charged not once, but TWICE within 4 minutes of each other. I called the restuarant with all authorization numbers, transaction details, etc. The girl I spoke to on the phone was very rude, told me to "shut the F up!", called me a liar, and hung up. I contacted my legal rep. who called to speak to a manager. She was told the manager would only be on duty for one hour the following day... Today, I called to speak to a manager, was told he was not available... I have reported to BBB, Wells Fargo, etc. Very upset. Businesses should not be ran in such manner... I am sad to say they have lost my business forever...

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User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Toi is a small, noisy, happening Thai restaurant on the very busy Sunset Boulevard, not too far west of La Brea. We were lucky to find parking at a meter on the street; there aren't a whole lot of other options.

Every inch of space in the restaurant is utilized for tables. New arrivals wait on the sidewalk outside until a table is available. (We couldn't help but wonder what they do when it rains in Southern California.) We were seated quickly at a tiny table along the front window. The atmosphere was an eclectic mix of rock, patrons' conversation, and the classic "Wizard of Oz" playing on several big and small screens scattered throughout the space. Thai food and the winged monkeys of Oz? Funny, but it worked!

Service was perfunctory ... fairly prompt and basically courteous, but with no real interest in our dining experience.

After perusing the large, two-sided menu packed with Thai offerings ranging from basic to vegan to really intriguing, we selected chicken satay (six skewers for $8) and an interesting pumpkin/ eggplant/ fried tofu dish ($11) that the menu boasted was delicious. Both items arrived within minutes. The grilled satay was flavorful, yet a tiny bit overcooked, but the accompanying peanut sauce more than compensated. It was wonderfully thick, nutty and spicy ... totally unlike many of the salad-dressing-thin varieties we've experienced elsewhere. One of us actually finished the bowl with our fingers after the chicken was gone.

The pumpkin/eggplant/fried tofu dish was amazing. Large chunks of each main ingredient were mixed with mushrooms, then bound by a deliciously savory, garlicky sauce that was like nothing we'd ever tasted. The brown rice served alongside was actually more of a black rice, so thick and chewy that it retained the shape of the bowl from which it was inverted. The depth of flavors and textures was much more than we expected!

The only drawback to the whole experience was the wine we ordered by the glass. It had obviously been uncorked too long.

Our entire bill was just over $30 ... not at all bad for a nightcap meal for two. The entire menu was equally reasonably priced, with most entrees ranging from $10 to $14. Portion sizes at surrounding tables seemed fairly large.

Hip and satisfying, Toi really delivered.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely one of my husband's and my favorite places to eat. The food is excellent and service has been consistently outstanding. As other reviewers have mentioned, the atmosphere and rock memorabilia/off-the-wall decor leaves patrons with constant visual stimulation to accent a stimulated appetite. Definitely a great place to take visiting friends from out of town for a bit of Hollywood flavor on a budget (averaging about $10 a plate).

One of my personal favorites about the restaurant is the low table on a dais with surrounding pillows where a group of two or four (maybe even six?) may sit around the table to eat. It is the only table of its kind in the restaurant (not sure if it is specifically reservable in advance).

Another cool factor point is awarded for the TVs running old episodes of The Simpsons or a cool movie. If you happen to stop in during the evening, try to see if a server by the name of Charlie is available to wait on you. He is wonderful, funny and attentive. Five stars for Toi!

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