Bites Nearby: Siam Classic

Pad Kapow. Ped Kra Pao. Pad Woon Sen.

If you're a Thai food lover than you might be familiar with those words.

If not, Siam Classic in Old Town can quickly introduce you to these traditional Thai favorites.

With a 4 1/2 star rating on Yelp! and over 50 reviews, Siam is serving up some serious Thai cuisine.

Plush displays of flowers, shrubs and mixed herbs softly announce the presence of the small brick building on East Street.

Upon entering, one would quickly notice the good ratings on Yelp! aren't the only achievements of the local eatery; the establishment is also the winner of the 2006, 2008 and 2010 "Best of Prince William" award for its great food.

The restaurant boasts an intimate and snugly-fit, 48-person capacity dining room complete with full bar and flatscreen TV.

Open the menu and immediately you feel as if you are sitting in a restaurant in Bangkok. Nearly 100 Thai specialties to order from, including nine different curry dishes, 16 styles of noodles and fried rice and over 40 entrees are available.

If you haven't tried Thai food before, beginner basics are available, as well as Chinese food items. 

The Thai versions, however, are a fresh and tastier alternative, using  all sorts of fresh vegetables and the Thai staples: Basil and Peanuts. Here are just a few options you will find:

• Fresh Summer Rolls - combination of shrimp, chicken & vegetables in a fresh flour wrapper served with sweet peanut sauce.
• Pad Kapow - a stir-fried mixture of bell peppers, onions, garlic and fresh basil leaves in a house garlic & basil broth, choose your veggies or meats; chicken, beef, pork, duck or seafood.
• Pad Thai Noodles - thin rice noodles stir-fried with bean sprouts, scallions, crushed peanuts, diced red tofu & egg. Pair with your choice of veggies or meats.

Going up a level, any one of the nine curry dishes or "House Suggestions" will unite you with true Thai cuisine:

• Ped Kra Prao - Batter dipped & crispy fried duck served over chili peppers, onions, garlic, fresh basil in house basil sauce.
• Panang - veggies or meats stir-fried in a coconut-peanut curry sauce with lime leaves, garnished with bell peppers & broccoli.
• Green Curry - simmered mixture of green curry, coconut milk, Thai eggplant, bamboo shoots, bell peppers & basil leaves.

And her are some unique and very flavorful dishes one will not find at other eateries:

• Stuffed Chicken Wings - Large chicken wings turned inside out and stuffed with ground pork, crabmeat, egg & shitake mushrooms. Batter-dipped, deep fried, served with sweet & sour sauce.
• Papaya Salad - crispy shredded green papaya with roasted peanuts, string beans, carrots & tomatoes in a spicy lime dressing.
• Sizzling Ginger Lamb - lamb tenderloin chunks stir-fried with onions, bell peppers, sliced ginger in a sweet sesame sauce. Served on a hot iron skillet.

Any visit to a Thai restaurant wouldn't be complete without mango and sticky rice for dessert. At Siam, their sweet mango and sticky rice is top-notch, combine it with Siam's homemade coconut ice cream and there is no better way to end a perfect meal.

Thai food lovers Matthew Fox and Brad Staton are new to Manassas and found Siam in an entertainment and dining review app on their phone and  headed on down.

"Really good Pad Thai; most Pad Thai are really sweet, here it is not," Staton said. "I've tried a lot and this is one of the best I've had. The summer rolls have a great combination of different veggies you don't find at other places, really refreshing."

Next time you are hungry visit Siam Classic at 9403 East Street in Old Town. Owner, Unchalee Geyer, who makes it a point to visit every table, will be able to recommend any dish suited to your taste. Her sons, Christian and Christopher are house chefs; and combined with the help of Geyer's nephew, Op they create a classic Thai experience.

Also available for catering, so be sure to stop in or check out Siam Classic online.