Since 1996, Brown Sugar Cafe has made a habit of getting to know their customers and feeding them well. Besides the personal attention that gives the restaurant its local feel, ‘they stress the importance of buying fresh kaffir lime leaves, galanga, and other ingredients, although they’re more expensive than the dried varieties.’

The restaurant, with its broad menu, is a haven for Thai students longing for a home-cooked meal and welcoming to Americans experiencing Thai food for the first time.