Meant to note this earlier in the week... looks like Thailand Cafe at 95 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street is sitting out the holiday season... the sign on the gate points to a renovation that will keep them closed through an unspecified date next month...
I also realized that I've never eaten here... if anyone wants to put in a good word for the place...
18 comments:
I used to eat there all the time until I got some fetid chicken and the staff was unconcerned. There is no way to get over an experience like that. In fact, I had to basically manage their reaction so they would go get me a vegetarian replacement otherwise they would have left me with the rotten food; at that point I should have just walked out
I have eaten there once or twice, several years ago; the food is okay—hey, restaurants like the Acme Bar and Grill have built a whole business on the slogan "An Okay Place To Eat". While if I go back I'll be persistent about asking which items contain fish sauce—vegetarians should always be on their toes about this at Thai restaurants—I remember they had some good vegan options.
Asian restaurants are generally great for vegetarians and vegans.
nygrump, I sympathize: No restauranteur should be so blasé about serving spoiled food. In fact, they need to practice strict damage control if they want to avoid losing a customer.
I used to eat at Sandra's Café all the time when I lived on St. Mark's Place, and I got food poisoning from a piece of fish—and yes, the woman often bragged, "I never throw away food!" Live and learn.
I ate there once or twice but the food was so mediocre, I never went back. With all the Thai options in this neighborhood, there's no reason to support them.
1. what is everyone favorite Thai places around ?
2. does ANY restaurant actually re-open after closing for "renovations" ?? I want a list of examples
This place has gone through renovations once before. But if I were a betting man, I would say that this time "renovations" is another way to say "adios, we lost our lease"in Thai restaurant speak. Am I being too snarky? Yes, but it is the day after Christmas, and I did not get what I wanted.
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and restaurant renovations do exist. Many do re-open after renovating, but they never seem to be the same afterwards. In general, if a place has been around awhile and been successful, a renovation sign means they will probably reopen, but there are exceptions. For less established restaurants it's always hard to tell, but these days it usually means they are expanding the bar, like Virage which became Bar Virage. Moonstruck Diner just renovated, they re-opened with a new menu and more drinks. After Veselka renovated years ago, most regulars agreed that we missed the old one, especially the room in the back on a cold winter night. Dojo's West renovated and never had the same crowds or food again. Saint's Alp Tea House renovated twice in the last five years, re-opened both times, but finally closed for good in October. Hummus Place said they were renovating, but then never re-opened, which was a surprise snce they were usually busy and have other busy locations. Let's hope Rays Candy Store never renovates, the place is perfect the way it is.
Hey Giovanni,
Let's not forget Kiev - I used to eat there and take soup home all the time.
After the renovations I ate there exactly once.
Tell them to put a coat of paint on the nasty security gate.
What's with all the negativity? Why is everyone's knee jerk reaction to think the worst? They might very well be under a renovation. I've dined there several times. The food isn't stellar, but it isn't bad either. The food is inexpensive and the service is usually expedient. They have awesome curries and noodle dishes incidentally. I hope for their sake, a more improved version is on the horizon. Happy New Year!
A few places that closed for renovations and actually reopened ...
Gena's Grill, 210 First Ave.
Duncan' Donuts, First Avenue at 6th Street (and the one in Red Square)
d.b.a., First Avenue
Virage, 2nd Avenue and 7th Street
Mamani, Avenue A
Xi'an Famous Foods, St. Mark's Place
Cafe Mogador (in September 2012), St. Mark's Place
Mermaid Inn (in October 2011), 2nd Avenue
But, yes — often "closed for renovations" is a ruse/stall tactic/whatever... as seen in the (RIP!) the Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo on First Avenue ... Oaxaca Taqueria on 7th Street... Jim Mum on St. Mark's Place... zPizza on First Avenue ... Au Breve Espresso on Cooper Square... Archie & Sons on 3rd Avenue ... AlphaBet Cafe on East 14th Street... Tofu House on St. Mark's Place... Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A ... Extra Place and Heidi on Extra Place... Iris Cafe on St. Mark's Place... Veloce Pizzeria on First Avenue...
Matthew,
For my money the best Thai place in the neighborhood is Lui's (it's tiny but excellent- try the duck) http://www.yelp.com/biz/luis-thai-food-new-york, I also would recommend http://www.yelp.com/biz/zabb-elee-new-york if you wanna try something more "unique"
It's a place to go for easy and inexpensive Thai, and I hope it stays around just for the sentimental value, we've lost enough cheaper places in the neighborhood. With the loss of Spice, you'd think they'd have more business.
That said, my fave Thai is the tiny place on East 7th near 3rd ave. There's only a few tables so mainly rely on takeout. When I am with a few friends, we hit up Thailand Cafe.
Run don't walk to Somtum Der on Avenue A for Northern Thai. Good food at good prices.
Ano 9:13 pm
Hummus Place did close for renovations and re-open as a new restaurant (same owners). They opted to try a new venture rather than re-packaging old.
Ano 10:30
Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's deserved to close down. Awful food.
What about piza shop on corner of A and Saint Marks? Phone number sign suggests that will reopen after eviction/gas shut off.
And Flea Market looks like not coming back or are they? New place will be Cajun based on CB3 application.
Still waiting to see what will be at 119 Saint Marks. So far every application for full liquor license has been shot down and the place remains vacant. It seems even wine beer applications are withdrawn.
Anyone has info about Russ and Daughters cafe? what is "kosher-style"? I thought food was either kosher or not.
Wow. I can tell that most of the people who made comments have never eaten here at all. I've been eating there for as long as they have been open. I have food delivered from them all the time. There food is very good, but...the portions have been shrinking over the years. Before their LAST renovation...ten years ago?.....they were more traditional looking, the portions were larger by 25% and their prices were cheaper by 20%. So for value...it is okay. But the quality remains good.
to Anon@ DECEMBER 27, 2015 AT 11:58 PM: Kosher style is that the food is stuff that isn't prepared in a kosher manner, but doesn't violate kosher laws. In other words, stuff like chicken, beef, some seafood, etc., but not cheeseburgers, anything with pork, no shellfish, etc.
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