By Jill Campbell
In a city filled with eateries, one small establishment called Chilli Duck stands above some of its much larger competitors. While its name brings to mind Mexican flavor, Chilli Duck serves up Thai cuisine perfect for diners who are on a tight budget or on a tight schedule.
Less observant passersby might not even notice Chilli Duck, which is dwarfed by a neighboring Walgreens pharmacy. But once they walk down the stairs and into the restaurant at 829 Boylston St., patrons are met with upbeat music and the lively conversation of the Thai-loving diners who fill the tables.
The interior is small but well-decorated and colorful. Multi-colored paper lanterns and bright teardrop-shaped lamps hang from the ceiling, tinting the walls with blue, red and green. Strings of white holiday lights hang around the room, reflected by the mirrors that cover two walls. The bright duck-themed paintings on one wall tie into the restaurant’s name, and a projector which covers the ceiling with an image of spinning bubbles mesmerizes guests.
The staff of Chilli Duck is kind and attentive, able to accommodate large groups even in the limited space. They will also cater to special requests, altering a menu item to fit a customer’s needs.
“They made [my pad thai] with no bean sprouts like it was no problem,” said Jenna Urquhart, a freshman physics major. “Some places say you can’t have it without bean sprouts. It made me really happy that they did that for me.”
The menu includes Thai standards such as pad thai, pad-se-iew and drunken noodles, as well as many fried rice and curry dishes. There are, of course, several duck dishes, but many menu items can be made with beef, pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables or tofu to suit the tastes or dietary needs of almost anyone.
Vegetarians will find a large selection of meatless dishes made instead with vegetables and tofu. Soups, salads and appetizers, priced from $3.75 to $8.75, range from a simple grilled chicken salad to classic Asian items like tempura and satay to a coconut-flavored soup. Coconut, ginger or green tea ice cream and sweet sticky rice highlight the dessert menu.
Lunch portions are priced between $7 to $10, and entr
