Sway
Chicken Wings – Chili Tamarind Caramel, Fish Sauce, Ginger, Cilantro
Shu Mai – Pork, Shrimp, Fermented Bean, “so good” chili vinegar
Thai Iced Tea
Son In Law – Crispy Farm Egg, Braised Pork Shoulder, Thick Soy, Nahm Prik Pla
Miso Sweet Potato Mash
Banana Split – Milk Chocolate 5-spice, condensed milk-cashew caramel swirl ice cream, black sesame brownie
From the neon lotus signage to the trendy courtyard and communal tables, 1st Street Thai/Asian Fusion hot-spot Sway can best be described by the word “busy” – a term applicable to everything from the cramped seating and earsplitting noise to the unfocused menu and thinly-spread staff. Obviously not expecting traditional Thai but doing my best to focus on novel takes on personal favorites it was to a duo of appetizers, one side, and two of the restaurant’s signatures that I turned and although only the flavorless Mash was truly ‘bad,’ only the Banana Split…which certainly is not big enough for 3-4…and its complex balance of pan-Asian flavors was truly memorable. Seemingly focused more on the scene than the cuisine both chicken wings and shu mai were undersized and overcooked, though flavors were well presented, and moving last to the oft-raved ‘son in law,’ a seemingly can’t-miss combination of pork and egg, suffice it to say that this rice bowl is no better or worse than the sum of its parts…decent but nothing special, much like the restaurant as a whole.
http://swayaustin.com/