Bangkok Tasty - Mmmm Tasty Indeed...

Bangkok Tasty - 29-06 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105

718.545.8203

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bangkoktasty.com

Margot and I were eager to try Bangkok Tasty after its big renovation about a month ago. Not a full-service restaurant in its past life, we were curious to see how Bangkok would measure up in terms atmosphere, staff and if it would preserve its good quality food. Overall, we were pleased across the board and would certainly pay them another visit.

Atmosphere:

The new decor is very modern yet minimalistic, giving off a relaxing and peaceful vibe. There's a concrete water fountain with a mysterious hand sculpture on top. While this sounds strange, it oddly works to create serenity--I caught myself staring at it at various points in the evening.

The rest of the decor is just straight up modern--the tables and chairs are simple and sleek but not the most comfortable I've experienced. The white textured wall on the right is nice to look at, containing a wave design and a long row of potted grass. The left wall however is more severe with a neon red stripe going through it--it's a bit too futuristic and reminded Margot and me of the late 80's early 90's. It just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the calm decor.

Food:

Generally, we were both happy with the food. I've heard rumors about how spicy everything was, but that wasn't the case with my dishes. I ordered and tried the following:

Thai Curry Puff - This was my appetizer and I was naturally expecting something round and covered in pastry dough. However, when my plate arrived, this dish looked like spring rolls. I asked if there was a mistake and the waitress assured me that these were, indeed curry puffs. I found them strange still, until I took a bite. The inside, which was packed with chicken, onion, potato and curry powder tasted just right. The tangy cucumber dip that was served along side of it was refreshing and had small pieces of cucumber and onion floating in it.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp - I've had this dish before and it happens to be one of my Thai food favorites. Bangkok's version was especially pleasing because of how well the shrimp was cooked. It was evident how fresh it was and once I bit into it, I tasted that wonderful flavor of the grill. The other veggies in this dish included cherry tomatoes, that burst in your mouth, onions, pineapple, cucumbers, carrots and sweet peppers.

Thai Salad and Thai Chili Basil Eggplant with Chicken - Margot ordered these dishes and she was pleased with her entree more than her appetizer--reason being that her salad was drenched in peanut sauce. I didn't try it for this reason, as I detest peanut sauce. I did however, try her chili basil eggplant and it was super tasty. The eggplant was my favorite ingredient--it was soft yet hearty and also spicy from the chili paste. Margot liked it as well and ordered this dish extra spicy so she could enjoy it to the max.

Service and Cost:

The waitstaff was pleasant and eager to get everything right. I can't say that I blame them for being over enthusiastic because Bangkok is, in some people's eyes a new establishment. Our dishes came out in good time and they were piping hot. The only strange thing is that they seemed to forget about us during check time--maybe they were just letting us chat. The restaurant was pretty empty so that could've been possible.

As most Thai establishments in the neighborhood, Bangkok is affordable. Our meal, which consisted of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees cost us approximately $32 (without a tip). And I can safely say that most other dishes there are in the same price range.

2 Mmmms

Kurve - Meet Chef Charm-Yang

Kurve - 87 2nd Avenue, New York NY 10003
212.260.8018
6 Train to Astor Place
www.kurvenyc.com

My cousin Vicky and I went to a re-opening press dinner on Tuesday at Village Thai restaurant, Kurve. While this wasn't the first time Kurve has opened, I think--and hope--that it'll be the last time. Andy Yang, the admirable chef and owner charmed the pants off of us and while we were disappointed by the inconsistent service, the food and Andy's smile got the best of us.

Atmosphere:

Upon stepping into Kurve, I was bombarded by its futuristic design. The predominant color is purple and as you could guess from its name, the restaurant walls display various asymmetrical, curvy shapes. The overall effect is a cross between new age and 80's retro.

You'll see a DJ booth on your way to the bathroom and the music is a fun mix of mostly upbeat dance electronica. There's a bar in the middle of the dining room and a couple of comfy white leather couches on right that just say "80's club scene." It's all very cool and sleek but I wouldn't call it comfy and cozy.

Food:

Because our food tasting was so extensive, I'm only going to highlight the stand-outs. Overall, the food was delicious, fresh and some dishes even made our taste buds dance. My only problem was the timing in which the food came out--it was too sporadic and unpredictable. Here are some of my favorites of the night:

Bamboo Heart Dumplings - This was part of our dim sum plate and though it was the most unfamiliar to us, it impressed us the most. The exterior was silky smooth and the interior had a healthy and almost smoky taste. I imagine that there was lemongrass in it because of its lovely citrusy zing.

Tom Yum Lobster - I absolutely love a good tom yum soup and this one was really special. It was served in an interesting dish with a flame base and the actual soup bowl was lined with wax paper. While I was warned that the broth would be spicy, it was a welcome spice that awakened my senses. The lobster and shrimp inside the soup were as fresh as can be but my ultimate favorite were the slivers of shiitake mushrooms. Vicky tried my soup too and though she's not a fan of spicy food, she really liked it.

Salmon Wrapped Larb Duck - We waited way too long for this dish but when it came out, we knew that it was unique. It looked picturesque with a rich brown duck mixture wrapped in a ribbon of fiery orange/pink raw salmon. The salmon was a nice--and much needed--neutralizer of the spicy duck. There was an egg with a soy-based sauce that calmed our taste buds--the egg white was especially soothing on our sore tongues.

Grilled Berkshire Pork - I'm going to go as far as to call this my favorite dish of the night--and it's all because of the meat. The pork was so tender and flavorful that I just couldn't believe each time I took a bite. There was a spicy sauce that accompanied it, but I loved the pork on its own without embellishments. The only thing I needed was plain white rice--a side that wouldn't steal the pork's thunder.

Poached Black Cod - Wow! When we found out that the cod was imported from Japan, we were sold. And once we had the pleasure of tasting it, we were in la la land. It was luxurious, clean and exuded quality. Floating in a lovely fish broth, it was enhanced by fresh plum and spring onion. It was a dish that I'd get for a late dinner because it didn't make you feel gluttonous and full. Vicky said that she'll definitely get it next time--and I think that I will too.

Service:

As I mentioned, the service wasn't top notch. While everyone was super nice and enthusiastic, they weren't organized. More than once were we asked if we'd ordered drinks or a certain course a few minutes after that order was placed. If only there was better communication, these redundancies could be avoided.

A positive aspect about the service was having contact with Andy Yang, Kurve's chef and owner. He was by far the most charming and pleasant man in the restaurant. His clear passion for his menu poured out of him with every detailed explanation of each dish. Vicky and I relished moments with him when he'd indulge us in mini-monologues about imported cod or low sodium dim sum--it was better than pillow talk!

Unfortunately, we got impatient with the slow pacing of the tasting--the dishes were so spread apart that we found ourselves at Kurve for more than four hours. At a certain point, we had to leave because it just got too late. Who could eat dessert at 1a? Not me, and not on a Tuesday night.

Vicky and I enjoyed ourselves but might wait out a second visit for when the service improves.

2 Mmmms

The New Bangkok Tasty is Open

I mentioned last week that Bangkok Tasty is expanding and now they're officially open. How exciting! I walked by and saw that it has completely transformed into a modern Thai restaurant with funky decor and a pleasant atmosphere. The tables are sleek and the lighting is interesting--now the only thing left to try is the food, which I heard was good. The newly designed menu looks great and I encourage you to take a peek at it. I'll be checking it out soon and will follow-up with a review. The prices seem modest, as is the case with most Thai restaurants.

Appetizers:

Steamed New Zealand Mussels - Served with garlic, chili and lime juice dipping sauce...$6.95

Thai Fried Crab Meat Dumpling - Served with sweet chili sauce...$4.95

Chicken or Beef Satee - Marinated chicken or beef with Thai herbs on skewers served with peanut sauce and sour cucumber dip...$4.95

Thai Curry: Choice of chicken, beef or pork...$9.95, shrimp, squid or scallops...$10.95, combination seafood or meat...$12.95

Penang Curry - Lightly sweet and spicy panang curry paste mixed with coconut milk, string bean, carrot, pepper, basil leaves and lime leaves

Karee Curry - Karee curry paste mixed with coconut milk, pepper, potato, pea, carrot and cashew nut

Massaman Curry - Sweet and peanuty massman curry paste mixed with coconut milk, potato, onion, carrot and peanut

Duck - Served with your choice of sauce...$12.95

Thai Chili Basil Sauce - Thai famous spicy sauce with chili pepper, onion, carrot, string bean, kaffir lime leaves and sweet chili paste

Ginger Honey Sauce - Refreshing fragrance and slight pungent flavor of fresh ginger combined with sweet pepper, onion, black mushroom and carrot in a special black bean sauce

Chili and Tamarind Sauce - Sweet and sour tamarind sauce with shallots, garlic and ground fresh chili on top of stir-fried mixed vegetables

Bangkok Specials:

Crispy Soft Shell Crab - Your choice of sauce: Garlic sauce on top of sauteed mixed vegetables or Chili sauce with onion, string beans, carrot, bell pepper and basil leaves...$13.95

Frog Legs - Again, your choice of the above sauces...$12.95

Thai Pork Chop - Sliced grilled pork chop served on top of sauteed mix of veggies...$10.95

There's also a lunch special for either $6.50 or $7.50, which includes smaller portions from all parts of the regular menu--sweet deal.

Bangkok Tasty - 29-06 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105

718.545.8203

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bangkoktasty.com

Kittichai - A Luxurious Thai Treat

Kittichai - 60 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10014

212.219.2000

C/E Train to Spring Street

www.kittichairestaurant.com

I was happy to find out that Restaurant Week has been extended until Labor Day--must be the economy. But on the up-side, that gives us an extra month to indulge in great food from some of NYC's best restaurants. Kittichai, the chic Thai eatery in the trendy Thompson Hotel is one of those great finds. I was joined for a fantastic meal there by friends, Maya and Alexis.

Atmosphere:

Serene, sleek and modern are words I'd use to describe this place. Especially after a long, hard day in the big city, Kittichai has the charm and that je ne sais quoi to make you stop, relax and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

The front of the house bar/waiting area provides a lovely welcome with cushiony seating, Buddhist sculptures and plenty of beautiful white and pink lotus flowers in individual vases--there's actually a whole wall of them. Alexis and I were trying to figure out if they were real--I think so.

The dining room is simply breathtaking with a warm color scheme of deep reds and oranges that stimulate the senses. We had the pleasure of sitting in one of the semi-private booths that line the perimeter of the room. Although I had to turn to see it, there's a spectacular water fountain that rests in the middle of the room with more lotus flowers and floating candles--really romantic and peaceful.

Food:

We ordered from the restaurant week prix-fixe menu, which had a nice selection of dishes--and the desserts especially caught my eye. Like we've done in the past, we each chose something different so we could share our meal and try a bit of everything. I highly recommend doing this with any restaurant week menu.

Wok-Fried Mussels - This was Maya's choice and it was a great one. The mussels were fresh and rested in a citrusy lemongrass broth. I've never had mussels in this type of sauce and am used to the garlicky, white wine sauces in French restaurants. This was certainly a nice change that was a lot lighter on the stomach. The only thing I missed was some sort of bread to soak up that delicious sauce. Who am I kidding though, I wasn't going to get this in a Thai establishment.

Northern Thai Beef Salad - Alexis ordered this and we were all surprised at how generous the portion was. It looked like a large beef cake with bean sprouts on top and refreshing cucumbers on the bottom. The beef itself was cooked well and seasoned with an assortment of Thai spices--I think there was a hint of lemongrass or even cilantro in it. We all liked it but thought that it had too much meat--we just couldn't finish it. I'd recommend this dish for a male diner or a serious meat eater.

Banana Blossom and Artichoke Salad - I was eager to try something different, thus selecting this appetizer. I was excited by its beautiful presentation but was really disappointed at its too-earthy taste. The combination of flavors was a bit much for me and there was an overwhelming bitterness from the artichokes and the banana leaves. I didn't care for it at all and the thick cashew sauce just killed it. I took a couple of bites but left more than three quarters of it on the plate. My dining companions weren't wild about it either.

Pan-Seared Cod - Maya and Alexis both ordered this and really liked it. I tried it too and definitely saw the value in it--the overall taste was light despite the use of tom yum broth, which could be spicy. The tomatoes that floated in the broth provided a welcome acidy touch and the skin of the cod was delicious and crunchy. I took advantage of the fact that my dining companions chose to avoid the skin. In fact, I always eat this part of the fish, as it contains wonderful nutrients and fantastic flavor.

Pineapple Braised Short Ribs - I couldn't be happier with my dish and despite feeling lukewarm about curry sauce, this one was perfect. It was sweet and a little spicy, embellished by Thai eggplant and sweet basil. The actual meat was extra tender and once dipped into the sauce, it had a lovely flavor--sweet from the pineapple and savory from the curry. My dining companions tried it too and absolutely loved it.

Dessert Sampling - We tried every dessert on the restaurant week menu and none of them disappointed us. I'd confidently say that this was the best part of the meal. Our choices consisted of flourless valrhona chocolate cake, banana spring rolls and a selection of ice cream/sorbet.

The cake was my favorite, partly because of the way that it was presented. Wrapped in a large green leaf (maybe a banana leaf but I'm not sure), it was unwrapped in front of us like a present. And once we bit into it, it was heaven on a fork--soft, fudgy and uncompromisingly decadent. The fresh cream that accompanied it was a nice touch and provided a smooth finish with the heavier cake. I'd get this again in a heartbeat--chocolate lovers, make note.

The banana spring rolls were an interesting choice as well--and they were new to us all. The inside of the roll was soft and warm and the outside was wrapped in a crispy pastry shell. The overall presentation was once again beautiful, as the bananas were cut into asymmetrical shapes and arranged on a long stone dish. Another inventive part of this was a side of burnt honey ice cream, providing a welcome chill for the tongue as well as a slightly bitter taste.

A selection of ice cream was also had and while this was the plainest dessert option, it was still delicious and a nice complement to the other two desserts. The flavors that we enjoyed were coffee, vanilla and chocolate. While I don't usually love coffee ice cream, this one was my favorite and tasted like really good, strong coffee--none of that sweet carameley stuff that you get in the supermarket.

Service and Cost:

The service was fine but I wouldn't call it spectacular. Our waitress had a tad of condescension to her. It's as if she was trying to say "you're just ordering from the restaurant week menu! ugh!" I don't know if Maya and Alexis agreed but she seemed disappointed and scornful of our choices instead of being welcoming and helpful. Our dishes arrived on time but we had to wait long for the check, which was also incorrect. Meh. I expected more.

The cost was straight up $35 each plus tax and tip. We didn't end up getting alcohol so our total was about $43 per person. This is great value for Kittichai where entrees could run up to $36 a pop.

2 Mmmms

Benjamas Taste of Thai - Heavenly Spring Rolls and More!

Benjamas Taste of Thai – 34-16 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106
718.932.8826
N/W Train to Broadway
www.thaibenjamas.com

Thai places are everywhere in Astoria and there’s some great ones out there. Although I’m partial to Wave Thai and Leng Thai, I’m excited that new Thai eateries are springing up in all parts of our neighborhood.

I recently had the chance to sample the cuisine of Benjamas Taste of Thai at the Cuisine of Queens and Beyond event at the Astoria World Manor. Great stuff--and I’ll surely be coming back for a proper meal. One taste of their crunchy veggie spring rolls got me hooked and made me grab a menu.

There’s a lot of good buzz around Benjamas—they must be doing something right because people are talking about ‘em a lot. Recently when getting a manicure, I overheard a woman next to me raving about them and calling their food “EXCELLENT.”

Check it out for yourself and take a look at their abbreviated menu below:

Appetizers:

Spring Roll – Vegetarian spring roll stuffed with cabbage, carrot, glass noodles, served with plum sauce…$4.50

Shrimp in a Blanket – Marinated shrimp wrapped in egg roll skin…$7.95

Thai Dumplings – Steamed ground chicken, shrimp and mushrooms served with garlic balsamic, black soy and chili sauce…$5.95

Noodles and Fried Rice:

Spicy Basil Fried Rice – Thai style fried rice with basil, chili and onions…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Lard Nah – Stir-fried flat rice noodles with garlic, Chinese broccoli served in a thick gravy…$9 (chicken), $10 (beef), $11 (shrimp)

Crabmeat and Shrimp Fried Rice – Thai style fried rice with tomato, egg, onions, scallions, shrimp and lump crab meat…$12

Entrees:

Seafood Kra Prao – Sauteed seafood with onions, chili and holy basil…$15

Taste of Thai Cashew Nut – Sauteed mushrooms, cashew nuts, carrots, sweet onions, garlic and chili…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Pad Sweet Sour – Stir-fried mixed vegetables with sweet and sour sauce…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Lunch specials include a sampling of noodle, curry and rice dishes for about $7.

Thai Pavilion - Astorian Staple Has a New Look

Thai Pavilion Restaurant - 37-10 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

718.777.5546

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Walking back from Sunday's belly-dancing class, I noticed a shiny new restaurant facade across the street from New York Sports Clubs. That gleaming facade belonged to an Astorian Thai staple, Thai Pavilion. This restaurant has been around for more than fifteen years but I've always passed right by it. Its new sign, while a little flashy definitely grabs your attention. It certainly made me pick up a menu and marvel at its extensiveness and delicious-sounding specialties.

Below is a sampling of their cuisine. If you haven't done so already, check it out and keep Pavilion in your consideration set along with other Thai options such as Wave Thai, Thai Elephant and Leng Thai. And like most Thai establishments, this one won't hurt your wallet.

Appetizers:

Hoy-Ob-Mor-Din - Steamed fresh mussels with Thai herbs and lemongrass. Served with spicy lemon sauce...$7

Shrimp in a Blanket - Fried shrimp individually wrapped in egg roll skin with stuffing and pork. Served with spicy plum sauce...$6

Thai Tod Mun - Fried mixture of ground chicken and shrimp cake, curry paste and string beans. Served with peanut cucumber salad...$6

Chef's Specials:

Siam Beef - Sliced marinated beef with Thai herbs, sesame oil, spicy fried rice and pickled ginger...$14

Bangkok Lamb - Pan-friend tenderloin of lamb with basil leaves, chili pepper, mushrooms and garlic sauce...$16

Potek (Thai Tom Yum Soup) - A famous seafood combination with mushrooms, chili, lime juice, finished with lemongrass broth...$17

Entrees: Include your choice of chicken, beef, pork or squid

Kang Deng or Kang Kiew Wan - Curry (red or green) with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, chili pepper, red or green curry sauce...$10

Lad Prig - Sauteed with chili pepper, mushrooms, garlic and tamarind sauce...$9

Pad Med Ma Muang - Sauteed with cashew nuts, zucchini, mushrooms, scallions and chili pepper...$9

They also have a $7 - $9 lunch special, Monday-Friday from 12:00p - 3:00p. All lunch dishes are served with steamed rice, soup and a salad.

Thai Angel is now Zabb Thai

THEN

NOW

Zabb Thai - 34-11 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103
718.726.7029
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.zabbthai.com

It's only been a couple of months since Astoria's staple Thai eatery, Thai Angel has changed management and is now called Zabb Thai. My colleague Floozigrl from Joey in Astoria and I walked by the other day and were astonished by how quickly this place reopened. It looks a lot trendier and welcoming than Thai Angel--not to knock the old place but it was starting to look a bit stale.

I grabbed a menu and am happy to report that the prices are inexpensive and the selection is definitely extensive. Here's a quick sampling of the menu. As is my custom, email me if you'd like to see the entire menu at critic@foodistanyc.com or check out their website.

Appetizers:

Fresh Roll - Fresh roll with bean sprouts, cucumber, scallion, carrot & egg...$5

Crispy Golden Fish - Fried fish with sweet chili sauce...$4

BBQ Beef - BBQ beef served with Zabb's spicy sauce...$8

Curry: Costs range between $8.50-$13.95 depending on whether you get veggies, chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, squid, scallops, a seafood combo or duck.

Pineapple Curry - Red curry with coconut milk, tomato, pineapple and basil

Panang Curry - Curry paste with coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves

Jungle Curry - Curry paste with bamboo shoots, eggplant and basil

Fish: Fillet fish...$12, Whole fish...$18

Pla Sram Rod - Deep fried fish with mango, cashew nuts & Zabb's special chili sauce

Pla Ka Prow- Deep fried fish with garlic, chili and basil sauce

They also have lunch specials, Monday-Friday 12p-3p for $7-$8.

Give Zabb a try, especially on a nice day. They have the entire front window open so while you won't exactly be sitting on the sidewalk, you'll still get the atmosphere of 30th Ave and of course feel the pleasant spring breeze.