Asia, our neighbor to the left, is famous for being home to giant roosters and for creating numerous cuisines. For $15, today's Groupon gets you $30 worth of Asian eats at Satay Restaurant, a Zagat-rated eatery. You'll enjoy an extensive offering of MSG-free seasonal and standard plates, including an impressive smattering of healthy dishes.
Satay offers a wide variety of healthy ethnic eats, like the ginger plum sauce glazed yam pancakes ($5.95) or veggie dumplings ($8.50) to start. Clear sinuses with a cup ($5.50) of tom-yum goong soup with straw mushrooms and shrimp, or try a house dinner salad with cabbage, tomato, cucumber, onion, and cilantro ($5.50). Entrees include everything from the standard noodle plates to fresh stir-fries and warm curry dishes. For the main course, you can choose bai tong (red snapper wrapped in banana leaves, $20.95), pa-nang curry (with choice of chicken, beef, pork, vegetable, or tofu for $10.50, or shrimp for $12), the ginger garlic shrimp and scallop (stir-fried with homemade sauce, $16.95), and many more. For dessert, Satay serves vegan treats like the Thai chocolate silk pie ($4.95) and creamy silk pudding ($6.95).
Satay features a full bar with more than a dozen wines by the glass, bottle, and wheelbarrow piloted by children. The charming décor (white linens and soothing Asian décor) add a calming feeling to the spacious dining room. Stop by for lunch or dinner daily.
Reviews
Both Gayot and Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine recommend Satay, saying:
- Don’t overlook the restaurant's namesake appetizer prepared with healthful chicken breast marinated in a curry coconut milk and quickly grilled on a skewer. Spice fanatics should steer toward the pud ped ga-prao with beef, basil and chili peppers…The kao-neaw dum, black rice pudding dressed in a coconut cream sauce, is dark and satisfying. – Gayot
- This shrine to south Asian cuisine is also a favorite among vegetarians and health nuts for its flavorful dishes prepared with low-fat and organic ingredients. – Katherine Cole, Southwest Airlines Spirit
Though the reviews are at times polarized, Citysearchers give Satay 3.5 stars, and Yelpers give it three. 80% of Urbanspooners like it:
- I like this place, its [sic] cozy and serves nice THAI food. Service quality is also exceptional. Lot of variety to choose for Non-veg and Veggie lovers!!! – Livemusic, Citysearch
- This place has been around Austin as long as I have lived here! Ever since my first visit I have loved their food. I would recommend the D.W.I. and Satay Skewers. – Meme, Urbanspoon
Satay Restaurant
Satay chef/owner Dr. Rommanee "Foo" Swasdee partly attributes her skills to her experience as a food scientist, knowledge she's used to craft healthy, tasty meals that are free of MSG. The Thai native but longtime Texan has been serving these dishes for nearly 30 years at Satay.
The restaurant's namesake dish has eight skewers with a choice of meat, tofu, or veggies and Foo's spicy peanut sauce. The rest of the menu also focuses on traditional Thai recipes, such as duck curry, pad thai, and devil fish, a red snapper or catfish fillet ignited by Foo's thai jungle salsa. Those intrigued by Foo's handiwork can enroll in a cooking class or wish for her talents by dropping a penny in a nearby mall fountain.