PrintThai Restaurant Hunting This Weekend
I recently interviewed Pichet Ong, chef-owner of P*ong and the author of The Sweet Spot, Asian-Inspired Desserts
I told him about Thai Market, which he promised to check out. We both agreed that Pam Real Thai Food was not what it once was.
Ong said he really liked Wondee Siam. I told him I stopped going to Wondee when Wondee Siam II opened (there is now a third Wondee Siam on the Upper East Side of Manhattan). He replied that, in fact, he liked Wondee Siam II most of all. Furthermore, he said that each branch of the restaurant had its own executive chef and that the menu differed at least slightly at each location.
So this weekend I am going to check out Wondee Siam II. Anybody done a complete Wondee Siam tour?
WONDEE SIAM
Address: 792 Ninth Avenue, New York NY 10019 (b/n 52nd and 53rd streets)
Phone: 212-459-9057
WONDEE SIAM II
Address: 813 Ninth Avenue, New York NY 10019 (b/n 53rd and 54th streets)
Phone: 917-286-1726
WONDEE SIAM III
Address: 1429 Third Avenue, New York NY 10028 (b/n 80th and 81st streets)
Phone: 212-772-1494
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
10 Comments:
We both agreed that Pam Real Thai Food was not what it once was.
Really? I only discovered Pam Real Thai in the last few months and it's amazing to think it was better than that. I guess this means I'll have to check out Wondee Siam.
Do you have any dishes to recommend?
capndesign at 12:29AM on 08/04/07
Wondee Siam II has a terrific duck salad. It's almost like duck bacon mixed in with chiles and pineapple and cilantro and all sorts of goodies. I highly recommend it.
amateurgourmet at 3:37AM on 08/04/07
The original Wondee is BYOB (unlike II). If you bring along beer or wine, I would recommend taking along an opening device and any required chilling aparatus as well, as these most likely will not be available when you arrive.
Levi D at 8:11AM on 08/04/07
Can't wait to check it out. Always nice to hear about another BYOB joint in NYC. Can't believe the overhaul on Pam Real, barely recognized it.
www.ilsvont.com
ilsvont at 12:54PM on 08/05/07
Its difficult for me to take that food seriously since they serve their pad thai with lemon and not lime - this seems like a cardinal sin to me! Its not like you're in, like, china or something where lemon is a necessary substitute - i never saw a lemon used in thailand!
B
Hand to Mouth
Making Stock of the Situation
A blog for penniless gourmets
handtomouth at 4:09AM on 08/06/07
If you want real Thai you have to get out of Manhattan and go to Greenpoint Brooklyn or to Queens. I live in Greenpoint and we have many delicious Thai restaurants right on Manhattan Ave. My personal fave is the Thai Cafe at Java and Manhattan, but Amarin is also quite good at Manhattan and Nassau.
Mischiefdish at 9:16AM on 08/06/07
Wondee Siam II also has an amazing crispy duck salad. We visited NYC last April and stumbled upon this place. We still rave about this meal and the absolute mountain of food we got for under $40. We know to order less next time, but the duck salad will be a repeat for sure!
Jeana at 1:00PM on 08/06/07
I have never understood why Siam 2 opened up so close to the original Siam. But now I guess I'll have to give Siam 2 a try after such a statement from Ong.
alynn at 1:35PM on 08/06/07
There are two Pam Reals - one on 49th and one on 47th, which is much trendier. I've only gotten take out and it's been hit or miss.
I also prefer Wondee II. And I agree the duck salad is delicious!
SMDNY at 11:38AM on 08/07/07
Made third and final visit to Wondee Siam III. One mediocre meal, two terrible. Should have stopped after first disaster.
Drunken noodle dish was likely product of drunken chef, or at least of man not in control of his blowtorch (burned noodles tasted of gas).
Decor is pretty good and plating is lovely, especially by Yorkville standards, but little foot traffic and bad front of house management translate into hovering waiters, poor pacing and uncomfortable lunch time atmosphere.
Fat and Happy Food Slut at 11:05AM on 09/12/07