Apsara Cafe

The short story is — the food is OK but unless they get a waiter who can rise above surly I don’t think they are gonna stay in business.
When my party entered sunday evening the waiter approched carrying food for another table. He looked at us sadly. I asked if we should seat ourselves anywhere. He shrugged as if he didnt care one way or the other and why would I think he would. We should have taken the hint but we stayed, and it actually got kind of funny.
I guess Cambodian is probably their specialty but they serve Thai and Chinese and fusion. I ordered Mee Bompong, a Cambodian dish. He came back shortly «We’re out of C15» lol. I ordered something else. As I say the food was OK. I’ve certainly had better and more authentic Thai but my companions were happy with theirs. I asked for Nam Pla Prick, the ubiquitous Thai condiment of fish sauce with sliced chilis. He gave me the stare and I explained what it was.
Maybe he’d had a bad day. Maybe his dog had died. By the end of the evening I was wondering if we were on a hidden camera show.

Great food! Service wasn’t exceptional. Would go back multiple times :) atmosphere was really nice and peaceful

I have been wanting to eat here for a while and I finally did this week. My boyfriend and I are big fans of Thai food and like trying different places. We really enjoyed our meals here!
See Ew noodles with beef is my usual thai food order. They were delicious! They have a good amount of sauce and come with mixed veggies! I loved that they came with stir fried veggies– it added more to the dish. I did not add a spice level to my order, so it was not spicy. I would definitely order this again, but the rest of the menu also looked delicious, so I might have to branch out!
My boyfriend order the red curry scallops. Neither of us had had a curry meal with scallops before. They were very good! It was served with rice and lots of scallops! We split the short rib appetizer. The sauce on the beef was really tasty!
All of the portion sizes were good! We had a great service. Our waiter was very friendly and gave great recommendations! We will definitely return to try more of the menu!

*sniffle* That’s not a runny nose due to spiciness, it’s a sad sniffle. I really wanted to like this place…
I heard great reviews of Apsara and as a huge Thai food fan, I couldn’t wait to give it a try! On a Friday night, a friend and I decided to order takeout. Since this restaurant is Cambodian/​Thai fusion, their menu is extensive. When trying a new Thai place, I tend to order some of the same dishes that I get at every Thai restaurant. In my book, it’s the easiest way to compare and rank the food. I liked the options on Apsara’s menu but I stuck to my usual… to start, I had fresh spring rolls (cold, non-​fried) and the Apsara healthy soup. For my entrée, I ordered the veggie drunken noodles, medium spice level. My friend ordered the fresh spring rolls and spicy mixed veggies with rice.
I realize ordering takeout is a poor way to judge the service but I have to say that the waiter who processed my order was incredibly dry. He didn’t know the menu when I asked for clarification and his lack of enthusiasm did not entice me to come in for a sit down meal.
After the lackluster interaction with the waiter, I was pleased to find that our spring rolls were bagged separate. This made me very happy since I’ve ordered Thai takeout too many times where the cold and hot food was bagged together. The spring rolls were cold & fresh but lacked a punch to the palate. Minimal basil with a lot of cheap chopped iceberg didn’t sit well with me. I used a lot of the peanut sauce to add flavor to every bite. Next up, the Apsara healthy soup. This was tasty & I would order it again. The flavors pulled through and the vegetables were slightly crunchy & not overcooked. It was a light, nice portion size for an appetizer. After the soup, I had high hopes for the drunken noodles. Wow, was I wrong. I hate to say it but it tasted like the dish was cooked in water. It had the right coloring but the only flavor I got was biting into the vegetables. I tried mixing up the sauce from the bottom of the container and no luck. No spice, no spark of flavor in the sauce and the vegetables couldn’t save it. My friend didn’t have a variety of spices so I added salt & pepper to salvage it. The veggies and noodles were not overcooked but I was looking for a distinct flavor. My friend wasn’t thrilled with her dish for the same reasons but was pleased by the spice level. They at least added a punch of chili pepper to hers.
I’m not sure if I will give Apsara another shot. Thai me up is a few blocks away and while they are not my #1 for Thai (Nicky’s or Pusadee’s are my favorite) I have never had a flavorless dish from Thai me up. I see so many good reviews for Apsara so I hope this was just an off night for the staff.

This place is crap! Their food is good but the operation is so inconsistent it’s impossible to order take out from them. We call multiple times during the week for lunch and no one picks up the phone. When they do the cook Is not there and can’t make food to order. I called tonight and they don’t take cards. I have given this place so many chances to step it up to normal standards. They never have and they never will. Don’t call here for food! You will be disappointed every time!

Hands down best thai restaurant in Pittsburgh. Food is always fresh, restaurant is nice, and price is reasonable. Can’t ask for much more.

My husband and I come here often for our Thai food fix, excellent authentic flavors that are not «dumbed down» for the American palate (i.e., drowned in sugar); highly recommend the soups, the ribs, noodles, as well as the curries. Beautifully decorated space as well!

One of the few places where I can find Cambodian food in Pittsburgh, so I am pretty interested in trying some of the more exclusive things. It was already past closing time on a Friday night, but they were selling some fast street food outside the door and the kitchen was still open, so they accommodated us with a table inside. Their menu has a good mix of both Thai and Cambodian dishes.
We got a Moarn Chha Kroeung, which is their original stir fry of vegetables (plus a protein) in a lemongrass sauce, as well as a Lot Chha noodle. The portion sizes were quite large. The former was pretty tasty, though maybe with a bit too much sauce. The noodle was really good, with the short spongy rice noodles standing out.
If we got Thai food I wouldn’t call it the best around, but for Cambodian dishes I would come back for more.

Drunken noodle, spicy level 7 with chicken and 2 egg rolls. Thought spice level was perfect and on scale. No wait, sat right in front table.

I recently discovered Thai/​Cambodian food and tried some for lunch.
I had the shrimp with a spicy garlic sauce and large flat rice noodles which I love and a coconut and vegetable soup with a wonton and dipping sauce.
This is a small clean space with good food.

We ate here on a Saturday night at about 9:30, and we were the only two in the restaurant! (Maybe because it doesn’t have a bar and it’s on the South Side!) Service was quick and friendly. The food was delicious and VERY spicy! (Relative to other Thai places in the city, but much appreciated by me!) I got and would definitely recommend the green curry noodles with tofu. My husband got drunken noodles with beef and felt that the portion was a little small, but mine was HUGE so I gave him half of mine.
We would definitely come back to Apsara.

Wanted to try this spot and went early on Sunday. Staff was full of character, aromas were delightful and food was great. My only concern was the roach that I killed on the floor. Maybe it was a fluke, ran in from the sidewalk, but I don’t think I’ll be back.

It pleases me to see the many four-​star reviews for Apsara, as it deserves to be better known as one of the top Thai restaurants in Pgh.
The reason that it does not have a packed dining room is the location. Yes, Carson St is a hoppin place Thursday through Sat night, but those wanting a great dining experience are not going to fight the South Side crowds, and parking, to go out to eat.
But, they should. Go, find someplace to park, and you will be so glad that you did. If Apsara were located in NYC it you wouldn’t be able to get a table.
I can’t wait to go back !!

I was super happy with the atmosphere and the food! Spiced great and it won’t burn your mouth. The waitress, who is also one of the owners, is so nice and pleasant and always checking in on you as if you were in her home.
The lemongrass soup was a great small portion to stat off the meal and there was plenty of rice for a healthy lunch portion next to my curry.
Very happy and will come again

I was not impressed with this place when they first opened about two years ago. I came with my cousin for lunch and thought the entire experience was mediocre and never felt impelled to return. Until, a friend of mine told me they have pad Thai fusions…
Yes… Pad Thai mixed with curry! What!!! I had to return and try this magic! We came on a Thursday around 1– it was deserted. We sat at one of the cute tables right by the window, so we could people watch– naturally, it’s southside. Our server was extremely friendly!
I was very impressed with the fact that their lunch specials come with soup AND a spring roll. Pretty sweet! I ordered the lemongrass soup– delicious, baby mushrooms and tomatoes in a spicy broth– perfection! The spring roll was mediocre and was not served with a lot of dipping sauce, so I improvised and dipped the egg roll in the soup! Delish!
As for my entrée, I ordered the tofu pad Thai fusion of course! The curry that I mixed with the pad Thai was panang curry. Oh my goodness… So let me say, I’ve been to my fair share of Thai restaurants and I never finish my lunches, ever. I always have to take some home. This portion was large but I ate all of it! It was so good! The flavors were awesome ! Not spicy but packed with flavor! The tofu was not cooked the way I prefer– it was pretty squishy, but I notice that most restaurants do not know how to prepare tofu correctly.
I will return for more of the Pad Thai fusion!

I had high hopes for the authentic quality of the place when I saw all the paintings of the Apsara goddesses and the earthy decorations. It is definitely a beautiful restaurant with a very calming atmosphere. Being there and seeing all the Apsara paintings made me nostalgic of my days spent in Cambodia. However, for a restaurant located in Southside, there wasn’t much business.
The service was wonderful and the food came out quickly. I ordered the curry noodle bowl with green curry. It was pretty much rice noodle and vegetables in a coconut curry sauce. The curry sauce was creamy and super tasty on the first bite, but I quickly got sick of the creaminess and could not finish my bowl. Also, the rice noodle was too mushy and overcooked. My eating companions got the pad thai and the pad thai fusion. The pad thai was a bit too bland and again the noodle was too mushy. The pad thai fusion came drenched in curry sauce, but the sauce was way too sweet.
Overall, the food okay (I have had worst), but just okay (I also have had better). I’m only giving it three stars because it lacks that authenticity that I crave – less sugar and more fish sauce please!

Statues of ancient warriors and deities greeted us cordially along with an elderly woman and a young, pert server as Kay and I entered Apsara Café’s doors this past Monday evening before the Lacuna Coil concert at The Rex Theater, making my end of the lady’s belated natal day observance memorable for her.
Kay was in command, so she chose the Bacon-​Wrapped Scallops. A tart, micro-​salad of greens, allumetted cucumber, and ornately cut carrots served as a bed for the trio of brackish, saccharine bits of plump, pork-​draped, skewered mollusks. Whet the appetite they did.
My entrée consisted of something called Saramann. Similar in texture to a beef or lamb curry, the supple, cubed tenderloin bobbed up and down in the sweet, milky, lightly acidic pool of brown gravy that held whole roasted peanuts coconut, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, and garlic. As I spooned the sweet, meaty brew onto the fluffy mounds of white rice, I was once again reminded of how similar cuisines from around the globe can be and was left wondering who borrowed from whom.
A four-​piece «dessert sampler» included the following: Golden Balls, Black Sweet Rice, Sweet Rice Cake, and Pumpkin Custard. The Golden Balls were a take on the Indian treat known as Gulab Jamun with its spongy cake and syrupy, fruity topping. The Pumpkin Custard was the densest. The rice cakes were an exercise in contrast — the black sweet rice coming off as licorice-​like while the sweet rice was rather mild. A highly engrossing quartet of confection, each morsel was a welcome detour from the rich, extravagant desserts I’ve grown accustomed to.
With yuppies, hipsters, and blue-​collar folk enjoying themselves inside or skipping in and out with takeaway bags as we dined, it was apparent how Apsara has quickly and comfortably entrenched itself into East Carson’s restaurant scene. Like sushi, Thai fare is no longer trendy and exotic; it’s becoming a part of Americana. And for that, I am gladdened, establishments such as Apsara broadening tastes with ease, grace and a sense of tradition and hospitality.
P. S. We had the dining room to ourselves for the first few minutes of our meal. Business soon perked up quite nicely on a weeknight no less.

So I decided to do a little bit of exploring on the south side since I don’t know the area very well. I know it’s replete with restaurants and stores, so I was knew it wouldn’t make for a boring afternoon. I decided on Apsara Café. I’m a fan of Southeast Asian cuisine.
Apsara didn’t disappoint. When I walked in there were only two other patrons in the restaurant. I soon ended up being their only customer. The dining rom is very open, bright and clean. I settled in, browsed the menu, and choose the chicken panang dish from the lunch entrée menu. Wanted to stretch my dollars. It comes with soup (I chose Lemongrass and a vegetable spring roll). The soup was very flavorful but I didn’t care for all the tomato chunks. The ratio between soup and veggies was off.
My main dish came out and it was delish, delish! The portion too was spot on. Was even able to take some home. My server even gave me an extra, small container of rice when she boxed up my leftovers.
I’ll definitely be back.

I came here with Rob Y. while he was showing me around Pittsburgh. We were walking down Carson Street looking for a potential «fourth meal» when we passed by Apsara Café. They had a stand outside their restaurant selling finger foods (satay, vegetable kabobs) to the most-​likely intoxicated passers-​by. We stopped for a few seconds to look, when a cute little old Asian lady came outside immediately to greet us and welcome us in. We turned her down initially, but came crawling back soon after. Whether it was guilt from saying no to a lady who resembled our grandmothers, good salesmanship or just plain old hunger, we walked in and it turned out to be a great decision.
The physical space and ambiance was nice compared to the other seemingly squalid storefronts on Carson. From the tables and chairs to the hardwood floor, everything looked new. Aspsara is also decorated with small fixtures and artwork which adds a nice touch. The service was good. The lady welcomed us with open arms even when they were officially closed according to their displayed hours. Our orders were taken promptly and waters were refilled constantly. We were treated like family. The food was also on point and I doubt I could find any better Thai/​Cambodian food in Pittsburgh at 11 pm on a Saturday. We ordered the Chicken Red Curry and Chicken Pad Thai to share. They were not the best dishes I’ve ever had, but they were still very flavorful and portions were large. Apsara Café is definitely a Thai restaurant you should check out if you’re in the area.

Eh. I wanted more flavor. Is that so hard to ask for?
I’m always excited to try a new Thai place because I feel like Thai food can sometimes be the most flavorful. This was not a palate party by any means. Just another Thai place… for now at least.
They ARE brand new, so I will give them that, but coming into an empty restaurant does not bode well. The place was deserted. And it’s remodeled so well! It really looks amazing inside. Beautiful wood floors, nice tables and chairs and a very inviting environment all around. But when you hear your chair scrap across the floor as you’re sitting down, you know it’s too quiet in there.
I was excited to see a handful of noodle dishes on the list, so I went with the N1 Kuteiv Chha (Phnom Penh — Flat Oriental wheat flour noodles sautéed with Chinese broccoli leaves, fresh bean sprouts, eggs and scallions in Phnom Penh sauce). As I said, it just wasn’t very flavorful. I could have done with some more broccoli and bean sprouts too. Plus, the sauce was a little too thin and drippy. They did give you a good amount of shrimp, which I enjoy. I hate when they scrimp on the shrimp!
I wouldn’t be opposed to going back, but it would definitely not be my first choice either.