Reuan Thai, Mount Waverley

by Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake on June 2, 2012

My 2011 Entertainment Book has finally expired. I’m not sure if I was going to buy the new 2012 edition, although it’s true I always do get my moneys worth out of the book.

I find that the book offers some great value meals at reasonable establishments and is probably a better bet than buying coupons from ever so popular internet websites offering such deals. It only costs $65 for so many restaurants/accommodation and other entertainment options to choose from all the while donating to a cause that is worthwhile.

My theory is that restaurants in the Entertainment Book are carrying on business like usual and when you present your voucher, it just so happens to give you 25% off or a buy one get one free main. The menu doesn’t change, the service doesn’t change and you’re just a usual patron just with special benefits.

It’s not the same with online coupons because often the meals/deals are special one off things created for the purpose of pulling in customers and are only available during the coupon period. The fact that you have to tell them you’re using a coupon before they service you makes me feel like what you get could be less/worse than usual customers as they don’t get any money from you on the day (all paid for beforehand) and they are offering you something that they make less money from. Obviously this is not always the case. I did have a wonderful time with a horse riding coupon in Daylesford, although I also had a pretty bad experience at the accommodation lodge (also a coupon). There’s always the good and the bad.

One of the last 2011 Entertainment Book experiences I had was at Reuan Thai in Mount Waverley. It was one of the best deals I had from the book and without doubt we had a great experience there. The service was just average but it wasn’t a classy place so I didn’t expect too much in that respect, the food on the other hand was fantastic. The meals are not expensive and with the voucher, it was even greater value.

There were 3 of us that night, Yuye, Yuye’s mum and myself, so we ordered 2 dishes and a soup with rice to share. The first dish we ordered was the chicken green curry. It’s my favourite dish and it’s something we always order.

The dish was a little watery compared to some other Thai restaurants we’ve been to but it was very tasty and the rice did its job soaking up all the wonderfully aromatic and spicy curry sauce.

The second dish to make it on the table was the chicken tom yum soup. I love tom yum as I really enjoy the spicy-sour flavour combination. That’s one of the reasons why I love Thai food so much. Reuan Thai didn’t fail to impress with this soup as it was perfectly sour and tasty and was packed with good ingredients.

The last dish, and probably my favourite dish of the day, was the special chilli basil duck stir fry. It was a vibrant, fragrant and visually appealing dish. I loved the crunchy fried basil leaves and fresh tomatoes which gave it a refreshing and healthy feel to it. The duck pieces were tender and juicy and of course, all the ingredients complimented each other perfectly.

We also ordered a few drinks which I wasn’t too sure about. The staff did try to garnish them and make them look prettier, but they tasted very artificial. The drink on the right is a coconut juice while the one on the left was meant to be a sugarcane juice which sort of tasted like Mountain Dew.

Each main costed roughly $15-18 and with the discount of 25% off total bill, the total came to around $35, which is just over $10 per person. That’s value that you can hardly get in shopping centre food courts these days!

Apart from the drinks, the meal was fantastic. The location is close to home and the staff are friendly. What more can I ask for? Maybe I should buy this year’s Entertainment Book to find great discounts like this one and use it as a way to try new restaurants as well.

Question time: Do you usually buy the Entertainment Book or do you have something similar in your home town that you use? What do you think of it compared to online coupon websites?

Reuan Thai
Phone: (03) 9807 7501
323 Stephensons Rd, Mount Waverley VIC 3149

Reuan Thai on Urbanspoon

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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Ali June 2, 2012 at 5:03 pm

I’ve said it before…it’s definitely good value and very easy to get your money back in a year! You should definitely buy it :)

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Yeah I agree, I should get it again soon. :)

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Emma June 2, 2012 at 9:10 pm

We always buy the Entertainment Book. It is great value & we have been to some places that we would never have tried or known about otherwise. You only have to use it 2 or 3 times before it pays for itself so I would highly recommend buying another one.

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:13 pm

Yeah I agree there’s definitely places on there that I wouldn’t have visited otherwise, although of course not all were such a great experience.

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Coffee and Crumpets June 3, 2012 at 4:13 am

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my site and letting me find yours! We have Entertainment Books here too in the US sold by various groups but I rarely buy them. I find that when I did, I never remembered where it was kept or I would forget it or just plain not use it! Now I just donate :) I too love tHai food but have been sorely disappointed in my local restaurants here in Denver. I am on the look out for new places to try. That Chilli Basil dish looks amazing!

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Thanks for visiting my blog! :) That’s the only thing that’s keeping me from buying this year’s one…I actually haven’t used the book for around half a year…I feel like although I do get my money’s worth most of the time I’m always still wasting so many vouchers unused…

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella June 3, 2012 at 3:05 pm

That reminds me, I haven’t bought an Entertainment Book in ages. Although I did like that you still got good service and food and as you say, that’s not always the case with coupons.

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:19 pm

I’m sure you don’t need to since you’re always so busy! Yes I agree, although I’ve had some good experiences, often they’re not that great…which is a shame because they really are good value.

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love2dine June 3, 2012 at 6:25 pm

i love thai cuisine.

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:20 pm

I love Thai cuisine too :)

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Miss Kimbers @ Fruit Salad and Mixed Veg June 3, 2012 at 7:05 pm

I like the bright blue bowls:)

I went 50/50 with my sister for the cost of the EB last year. Problem was she hogged it all the time and if I wanted to use it, I had to ask for permission. This year I was smart and bought my own. I really like the book:)

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 3, 2012 at 10:21 pm

I loved their bowls…many Thai restaurants I’ve been to have really pretty bowls and plates…

That’s actually a very smart decision to split, although it’s a shame it didn’t turn out as well…

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Joanne June 3, 2012 at 11:47 pm

I love thai food but its so hard to find good versions of it here in NYC. Wish I lived anywhere near this place!

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 4, 2012 at 1:49 pm

I would have thought NYC would be great for all sorts of food? I guess it’s more American style restaurants that are popular there? I’ve never been to NYC…really want to go though.

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Tania @ A Perfect Pantry June 4, 2012 at 10:41 am

Thai is one of my favourite cuisines… There’s one very close to me who makes the best hot pot…yum.

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 4, 2012 at 1:50 pm

That sounds delicious :D Would be perfect for this freezing weather we’re getting here..

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Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef June 4, 2012 at 5:46 pm

Thai cuisine is my all-time favourite! Great photos.

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 4, 2012 at 11:32 pm

Thanks Maureen! :)

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Daisy@Nevertoosweet June 5, 2012 at 1:58 pm

I totally agree with you about the Entertainment Book that I always gets the money worth and SO true that you don’t get special ‘treatment’ which is good, because I hate it when we use online coupons and they treat us differently or they purposely ignore you because it’s an all you can eat coupon and they don’t want you to order more food.

I went on a total Entertainment Book rampage too because it expired lol but of course I didn’t use all of it but glad I still managed to use most of the major ones hehe that’s why i always buy it lol every year WOO HOO~

Looks like a nice place to have dinner casually with friends and family :) I Wonder if it’s in this years Entertainment book hehe
I’ve never heard of this place ~

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Nami | Just One Cookbook June 5, 2012 at 5:17 pm

I’ve never get tired of Thai food, and in fact you started my craving for it… =)

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choux choux June 10, 2012 at 11:23 am

I love thai food! I remember when my bf bought the book, we were concerned we hadn’t used enough of the vouchers to make back the $65 of the book! On one of the last days we saw a movie and went out to dinner, which was awesome. He’s now bought the new book, and it’s got some new coupons in it!

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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake June 10, 2012 at 8:19 pm

Yeah that’s always the concern, but we do end up using the money’s worth every time, even just going to the regular places near home. I should try get one soon…

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