After hearing so so much about the newest addition to the Westside, I decided to check out Spoon. What a pleasant surprise.

On Marietta in the space formerly occupied by Thelma’s Kitchen, Spoon provides delicious and inexpensive Thai food in a self-described “hip” atmosphere. The space does in fact look hip, with warm hardwoods and minimalist tables and lighting. But the food is what I was here for, and it didn’t disappoint.

First of all, all lunch entrees are under $7.50, most of which include rice and a spring roll. The spring roll was actually good, too, with the right consistency of glass noodles and veggies and served with a sweet dipping sauce. Dishes are listed in the menu, with different “complements” to add: tofu, veggies, pork, beef, or shrimp. I had the Pra Krao – Basil with beef, which was served with a side of jasmine rice. The sweet and spicy sauce had just the right amount of basil. The beef was stir-fried to perfection, eliminating any chewiness, and included crunchy onions and red and green peppers. Veggies – do not despair! My companions enjoyed their Mussamun (yellow) curry with tofu and vegetables. In fact, everything we had was yummy, adequately portioned, and the service was quick and attentive.

While Spoon boasts an elegant bar area, they have not yet received their liquor license. Until then, you can imbibe by BYOB without a corking fee. There’s free parking adjacent to the building. Sadly, the dining room itself isn’t too terribly large. I see this place becoming an immensely popular alternative to Tin Drum, especially for those at Tech, so plan to get there early!