Bites Nearby: Erawan of Siam

If you haven't tried Erawan, at 649 Moody St., for a while, it might be time to drop in again. It's under new management, but it's still features the same extensive menu of Thai dishes. Few changes were made to the airy, spacious room. It's not surprising that Erawan lagged for a while, since over the years it has had to compete with a host of new Asian restaurants in Waltham. But it's always been reliable and inexpensive, and still is.

What to eat: No Asian fusion cuisine, or selections of Korean, Japanese, sushi or Chinese fare. Just Thai dishes, which means plenty of basil, ginger, peanut sauce, five different kinds of curry sauces and chicken and seafood entrees. Other favorites: four different duck selections, flat noodles, veggie rolls and of course pad thai.

The Vibe: Quiet and relaxed, casual with a touch of elegance, with its wood carvings.

Cool factor: The room itself has always been a draw: big, well decorated in muted colors, and with a fountain in the middle of it.