Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant
326 S. Main St.
Phone: (330) 434-2876
Open: Monday thru Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Website: https://cilantrothai.com/
Step inside Cilantro restaurant, and you’ll discover a scenic escape from downtown Akron. The upscale restaurant features a stylish open concept with warm ambient lighting and tables decorated with classy wine glasses and folded orange napkins as a pop of color.
On a recent summer day, owner Charlie Somtrakool took a break from the kitchen and stepped out wearing a uniform red button shirt, a black apron and a tall black chef’s hat with a faint red trim. The Thai native arrived in the United States in 2001 and attended the University of Dayton for mechanical engineering. Instead of working at a desk all day, Somtrakool decided to spice up his career.
Somtrakool is no amateur in the kitchen. During his time in college, he worked at several restaurants.
“My aunt and uncle have a Thai restaurant in Cincinnati, and I helped them out,” Somtrakool said, adding a smile. “Then, I moved to Dayton and worked at another Thai restaurant called Thai 9 for about seven years until I graduated.”
During his time at Thai 9, Somtrakool worked his way up the company ladder, from server to manager. The hands-on experience helped him better understand the obstacles involved with operating a restaurant – present-day hurdles that Somtrakool embraces.
Before opening Cilantro, Somtrakool designed Boeing engine parts.
“I would get to work at 8 a.m. and sit in front of a computer, working on spreadsheets all day and designing,” Somtrakool said, describing his former job. Working at a desk all day was especially hard for Somtrakool during winter months.
“You go in at 8, and it’s still dark, and when you leave at 5 [p.m.], it’s already dark. Wintertime is very depressing.”
Since opening its doors in October 2009, Cilantro has experienced a mix of everything from office workers to government officials.
“It’s a welcoming feeling to be a part of the Akron community, where you can interact with everyone,” Somtrakool said.
Cilantro’s menu is five pages long and offers more than 20 different dishes that range from $20 to $30 for dinner entrees and $17 to $27 for lunch entrees.
Somtrakool’s favorite is a fried duck stir-fry. The dish contains pieces of deep-fried duck mixed with Cilantro’s house sprout sauce with red and green peppers and white onions. Jasmine rice is served on the side.
Picky eaters can start a meal with Thai garlic wings then transition to the classic Pad Thai.
For sushi lovers, Cilantro also offers a la carte and platter options, along with a full drink menu that ranges from cocktails to wine and Japanese whiskeys.
Happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m.
Cilantro has recently started offering poke bowls, customizable rice bowls that are available on Mondays. Somtrakool jokingly calls it Pokey Mondays.
Walk-ins are accepted at Cilantro, but on weekends Somtrakool recommends reservations.
2nd place:
Square Scullery
778 N. Main St., (234) 334-4446
3rd place:
Diamond Grill
77 W. Market St., (330) 253-0041