Charm Thai Kitchen Raises the Bar for Asian in the Woodlands – Our Review

The Woodlands has a vibrant, exciting restaurant scene. From great Mexican restaurants like Xalisko to superb Indian icons like Amrina and hidden Italian gems like Papa Amadeus, the Woodlands is home to some truly remarkable places to dine.

One region has been underrepresented though: Asia. Once your palate moves east of India, you couldn’t find really superb examples of the cuisines in the Woodlands. Most of the concepts are older, very conservative, and target families more than adventurous diners.

Enter Charm Thai Kitchen and Bar. Entrepreneurs Adam and Wanalee Gorelick have opened several restaurants in the area, and with this latest establishment they intend to bring world class Thai cuisine to the Woodlands. Have they succeeded?

Walking into Charm creates a great first impression. They’ve taken over a location that has caused experienced restaurateurs to stumble, and they’ve totally remodeled the space into something warm, inviting, and distinctly upscale. The gleaming white walls are accented with touches of gold, and beautiful artifacts selected by Adam and Wanalee adorn the space. The Woodlands has another legit date night destination, and you can expect your date to be impressed by the setting, and locals are responding.

As lovely as the space is, it is overshadowed by the food. Charm’s original location in Spring became known as some of the best Thai food on the north side, and Charm Thai Kitchen has raised the bar farther, with a talented culinary team and some innovative dishes.

Yes, standards like Pad Thai are well represented (and superb) but there are many more that are worthy of exploration, From the light, refreshing Larb to spectacular curries (Red, Yellow, Green, Panang, Mango, Massaman, and Pineapple) to a broad selection of entrees and noodle dishes, Charm’s expansive menu is poised to please even the most discerning palates.

The kitchen is constantly creating special dishes, like the gorgeous Chor Muang dumplings. These vegetarian Royal Dumplings are delicately colored with pea flower and take on a spectacular lilac hue. They’re available only on weekends, and we’ve been known to schedule our visits around them.

Service is warm, friendly, and professional. Charm’s staff of energetic servers creates a great guest experience.

The bar at Charm is becoming a Woodlands hotspot. Adam and Bailey, the head bartender, creates some unique and interesting cocktails that combine top shelf liquor with the flavors of Thailand, and the results are delicious.

Charm’s dedication to Thai culture extends beyond the food and atmosphere. They recently held their grand opening event, which was a cultural extravaganza featuring Thai music, talented dancers, and a variety of other attractions. The Gorelick’s think big, and we can’t wait to see what they have for us next. We’ve put Charm Thai Kitchen and Bar into our regular rotation, and look forward to our next visit.