Just around the corner from also-awesome Thai joint Koh Samui and the Monkey, Root's a wide-open, Buddha bust-equipped noodle house in SOMA, set in the former Spire space and seating 60+, including five at a Third St-facing, people-who-really-need-tickets-watching window.

The menu combines "country Thai" with American tastes, including the Prawn in a Blanket (deep fried marinated jumbos rolled in rice wraps and served w/ sweet & sour sauce), optionally meat'd Drunken Noodles, and a Spicy Basil Burger w/ Thai seasoning and -- like Nick Nolte in Blue Chips -- all the fixings.

And since you can't be a place called Root without... beer!, they've got six drafts and six bottles, plus a full cocktail list (try the Rye Barrel w/ Bulleit, Fernet, fresh lemon, mint leaf & Angostura) and plans for a large-scale whiskey program, which you'll definitely be (re-)sold on.