Prototype Issue
World Famous Thai Food in the Most Unusual of Settings
By DJ Trasha
(page 1 of 1)Upon entering Toi on Sunset, you are hit by an onslaught of rock ’n‘ roll paraphernalia that plaster the walls and ceilings in the form of posters, album covers and photographs.
A slew of celebrity clientele have frequented Toi, including David Bowie, the Stones, Johnny Thunders, Cyndi Lauper, Steven Tyler, Billy Idol and Marilyn Manson.
Welcome to one of the most punk rock eateries in LA. Prepare to grub on surprisingly good Thai, be waited on by an even more surprisingly responsive staff, all while ingesting a sonic diet of The Fall, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, ACDC, The Misfits, The New York Dolls and The Distillers.
Toi opened its doors in 1986 by three Thai partners (one of them Charlie Janlekha, manager of Spago). Michael O’Brien, who had been working in the computer industry, started chanting to Buddha for a fun business idea.
It worked. He was rewarded with a 50/50 partner in Janlekha. O’Brien said he envisioned a place where people from all walks of life could go eat Thai; from the kid with a few bucks in his pocket who could only afford pad thai to the Hollywood movie and rock star. The rest is history.
Toi quickly became the brat pack hangout. Johnny Depp, River Phoenix and Sean Penn have all hung out, partied and tore things up. Then one day British actor Tim Roth, who was living across the street at the time, decided to come by with his buddy Quentin Tarantino.
They were working on a new script for a movie that would later be called Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino fell in love with the spot and started treating it like his second office. The famous “robbing the diner” scene, which featured Roth, was created and rehearsed on Toi’s bar during lunch.
Tarantino would later write Pulp Fiction here and during filming frequented with Jon Travolta and Uma Thurman. His press and interviews were conducted exclusively at Toi. More recently he swung by with some of the cast of Grindhouse, including Eli Roth and the RZA.
“I’ve been coming here for years, I love this place,” Tarantino says. Steven Tyler agrees, saying, “It’s my favorite spot, my hideaway. Just don’t tell anyone.”
One refreshing difference between this mosh pit Hollywood hangout and other hot spot eateries is the attitude of those who wait on you. Unlike the usual kiss-ass approach favored by most restaurants with a celebrity clientele, there is no special star treatment from staff whatsoever.
Ashton Kutcher and Co. had to sit and wait for a table right after the Grammy’s and ended up bailing out because they couldn’t get one. There is no manager or boss here, just the owner and staff, which gives it sort of a socialist feel. Everybody pulls their weight and handles their job responsibly; they know what to do and when. And guess what? The place runs perfectly.
Menu Breakdown:
Favorites include Vegetarian Green Curry with Tofu, Chicken Yellow Curry, Shrimp Pad Mee Kao, Tofu Prik King, Shrimp, Tofu, Chicken or Beef Panang and the Tom Yung Goong. Everything is M.S.G. and preservative free.
Toi boasts excellent vegetarian dishes and was one of the first restaurants in LA to feature a vegetarian menu. Dishes range from $8—14; average cost of dining per person is $10-30.
“It's my favorite spot, my hideaway. Just don't tell anyone."
Toi serves beer, sake and wine until midnight. Last call is 11:30 p.m. The Chimay and Delerium Belgian Ale is highly recommended. Reservations taken for parties of 10 + only.
Toi on Sunset
Rockin’ Thai Food
7505 1/2 Sunset Blvd. (at Gardner)
323-874-8062
Hours of Operation: Mon.—Sun.11 a.m. to 4 a.m.
www.toirockinthaifood.com
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