Sartori Thai - Torrance

 

Watch out Old Torrance, Sartori Thai moved in. Where Japanese was the only Asian, there’s now a Thai contender. 

They don’t look like much from the outside - the storefront tucks into a bit of an alcove, and the inside decor is dark despite the high and spacious ceilings. 

It’s casual fare with a little bit of flare, starting with tradition. The sweet n’ spicy Som Tom is a mound of crunchy green papaya soaks up a tangy mix of spice and lime, a seafood flavor added by little dried shrimp. 

                 

I was skeptical of the Spicy Ribeye Salad, but it’s oddly satisfying in a way that is surprising. Juicy chunks of flame-kissed steak are punctuated with raw onion and cukes and a little bit of cabbage soaked in a dressing of citrus with strong notes of fish and shrimp.

Order enough and you get Egg Rolls for free. Wraps of shredded veggies are deep-fried to a light brown crunch. 

There’s a brown slurry of Duck Curry full of pineapple and coconut milk. It’s a lot sweeter than most I’ve had, but enjoyably so, depending on your preference. 

Their Pad Thai is of the "wetter" variety, expectedly sweet n’ sour, nutty and nice. 

The Tom Yum Shrimp Fried Rice is where their creative potential shows. They infuse fried rice with the flavor of tom yum soup, and it sinks into every grain. Add some tender mushrooms and shrimp, and it’s a tangy citrus delight. I’ve never seen this on any other menu, and it’s a must-order on theirs.

                         

Even if you’re not a dessert person, there’s no better ending than Mango Sticky Rice. The mango is pulpy, the rice is sticky, and the coconut milk is gooey and sweet.

There’s not a lot of great Thai in the South Bay so Sartori Thai is a pleasant surprise. I’ve liked every dish so far, but it’s that fried rice I’ll keep coming back for.