Sookk: Thai. 2686 B-Way @ 102-3rd; 23/19/$27; 870-0253; Cozy yet welcoming Thai star in the Upper West; Tasty selections with a Chinese edge to them; BYOB; Very inexpensive so order multiple appetizers.
Land: Thai. 450 Amsterdam @ 81-2nd; 23/16/$25; 501-8121; Small but truly wonderful food; Seems more upscale than price; Very spicy food; Pad Thai perfection. Problem is the seating/ size- go early! Wondee Siam: Thai. 792 & 813 9th Av @ 52-54th; 45909057; 23/10/$23; Memorable food; Take-Out; Authentic; Cramp set-up; Spicy food. Has a loyal fan base and it always popular. Extremely authentic and serviceable and nearly free.
Bluechili: Pan-Asian. 251 W 51st @ B-Way – 8th Av; 21/17/$39; 246-3330; Beyond the ordinary; Creative dishes and a cool décor make the experience worthwhile; Inventive; Sushi as well as soft shell crab.
Ruby Foo’s: Pan-Asian. 1626 B-Way @ 49th; 20/23/$43; 489-5600; Tons of tourists & located in Times Square; But, amazingly fun and a perfect place to take visiting family; Huge menu of sushi to Asian classics; Disneyland for the eyes;
Pongsri: Thai. 244 W 48th @ BWay- 8th Av; 21/13/$25; 582-3392; Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection.
Pam Real Thai: Thai. 402 W 47th & 404 W 49th @ 9-10th Av; 22/10/$22; 315-4441; Duo of small finds that deliver amazing food at discount prices; Diamond in the ruff; Authentic. Tight quarters better enjoyed off-peak; Cash only.
Breeze: Thai. 661 9th Av @ 45-46th; 21/15/$33; 262-7777; French influenced Thai food; Pre-theater location with unique selections; Addictive dumplings; Progressive look; Grilled salmon not to be missed.
Pongsri: Thai. 165 W 23rd @ 6-7th Av; 21/13/$25; 645-8808; Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection.
Buddakan: Asian. 75 9th @ 15-16th; 24/27/$63; 989-6699; Incredible interior; Epically popular; Trendy; Sexy; Hot spot for large groups or dates; Amazing food- wide variety; Crispy crab noodles are a hit; Top shelf appetizers; Perfecto drinks.
Blue Ginger: Pan-Asian. 106 8th Av @ 15-16th; 21/17/$36; 352-0911; Extremely affordable, with a highlight being the sushi; Wondrous Asian dishes to choose from. Inventive rolls; Quick service; Affordable. Spice Market: Pan Asian. 403 13th @ 9th Av; 24/27/$56; 675-2322; Perfect décor; Duplex setting; Trendy; Date Central- truly ideal to impress; Attractive staff , eye candy crowd; Dishes meant to be shared – small plates; You can’t have a bad time here.
Fatty Crab:
Malaysian; 643 Hudson @ Gansevoort-Horatio; 22/13/$39; 352-3590; Street food; Incredible Brunch on weekends; Limited menu of Malaysian street classics; So good and unique. Chili Crab; Short Ribs; No Rez but quick turnover. Wild Ginger: Thai. 51 Grove @ Bleecker-7th Av; 20/18/$27; 367-7200; Can’t go wrong; Bottom prices; Relaxing; Tasty; Bamboo setting. Transforming experience it is not – but what Pad Thai.
Prem-on Thai: Thai. 138 Houston @ MacDougal; 21/19/$33; 353-2338; New, undiscovered; Delicious; Striking Digs; Elegant & Cool; Young Crowd; Spicy food. All around worthy selection.
Kittichai: Thai. 60 Thompson @ Broome-Spring; 23/27/$57; 219-2000; Décor is exquisite; Eye candy; Incredible drink & food; Theatrical design; Overwhelmingly impressive to eat here; You will pay well above genre but worth it. Nyonya: Malaysian. 194 Grand @ Mott-Mulberry; 22/13/$22; 334-3669; Dirt cheap tabs for a true Malaysian experience; Properly spiced; Great for lunch and to walk around Chinatown ort Little Italy afterwards;
Pongsri: Thai. 106 Bayard @ Baxter; 21/13/$25; 349-3132; Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection.
Kuta Satay: Pan Asian. 65 Rivington @ Allen-Eldridge; 23/16/$34; 777-5882; Just a terrific menu sampling multiple southeast Asian cuisines including Indonesian; Amazing curries; Very inexpensive; Sleek, sexy décor; Hot new option in area. Major winner.
Kuma Inn: Thai / Filipino; 113 Ludlow @ Delancy-Rivington; 24/15/$35; 353-8866; Small but unreal food and very affordable; Foodies heaven; Located on 2nd floor. Small plate format; BYO policy; Essentially Pan-Asian small plates. Strong service.
The Elephant: Thai-French. 58 1st St@ 1-2nd Av; 22/16/$36; 505-7739; Tightly packed but a great atmosphere; Incredible food; Cocktails are amazing; Duck confit; Salmon tartare; East Village mainstay for trendy cool.
Klong: Thai. 7 St Marks Pl@ 2nd-3rd Av; 21/17/$25; 505-9955; Extremely affordable street food reminiscent of Bangkok; Cool overall vibe and open very late; Great soups, curries and Pad Thai variations. Holy Basil: Thai. 149 2nd Av @ 9-10th; 22/19/$31; 460-5557; Upscale Thai – Fancier than others; Still dirt cheap; Dark, sexy; Delicious entrees; Diamond in the ruff; Pretty cool date spot for a quick bite.
Chino’s: Thai / Pan-Asian. 173 3rd Ave@ 16-17th; 21/15/$30; 598-1200; Asian small plates, perfect for sharing; Excellent Asian cocktails; Great bargain selections. Fusion cuisine in entrée sized portions.
Pongsri: Thai. 311 2nd Av @ 18th; 21/13/$25; 477-4100; Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection.
Jaiya Thai: Thai. 396 3rd Av @ 28th; 22/10/$27; 889-1330; Spicy Thai dishes; Unbelievably good curries; Poor décor and service but food is worth it. Try take out! Food is actually incredible. Asia de Cuba: Asian- Cuban flare. 237 Madison @ 37th; 22/24/$61; 726-7755; Celebrities; Sexy crowd; Very trendy; Hot spot; Pre-club. Has a hot bar scene & always a good looking crowd. Food surprises you with a solid menu of Asian classics including beef dumplings. The décor is the star here.
Aquamarine: Pan Asian. 713 2nd Av @ 38-9th; 21/22/$37; 297-1880; Wonderful neighborhood spot; Even has sushi; Tranquil setting including a waterfall. Sizzling Pan-Asian dishes that are mouthwatering. Wonderful rolls.
Tao: Pan Asian. 42 E 58th @ Mad-Park; 22/26/$59; 888-2288; Just a huge club atmosphere with truly excellent food as well; Noisy; Great scene & bar; Beautiful décor & staff; Food is Asian mix; Fancy drinks and a fun experience with mind-blowing décor.
Amber: Pan Asian; 1406 3rd Av @ 80th; 20/20/$38; 249-5020; Sexy staff serve up very solid fare; Cool décor and a quieter back room; Bar scene; Full of energy; Great drinks and decent sushi; More of a scene. Mini Tao. Land: Thai. 1565 2nd Ave @ 81-2nd; 23/16/$25; 439-1847; Small but truly wonderful food; Seems more upscale than price; Very spicy food; Pad Thai perfection. Problem is the seating/ size- go early!