May 31, 2018 Update:
Does this happen to you? You look at the fridge, and see one portion of some of the best leftovers your fridge will ever see. You start to calculate and analyze who will be the lucky person to enjoy this, while the rest feast on canned sardines with couscous. The longer it stays there, the more precise the calculation needs to be in order to avoid the disastrous outcome: Trash. Such is the case with the crab fried rice and curry paste with pork in my fridge at the moment. Its now day 3 (T-Day) and its text time. I just have to be very careful with the wording. I dont feel like couscous!
But after many solo meals or with friends at Pure, this was only the third time I took my family there. And it was a feast for the ages. I will add a few dishes to the list below, but the one big takeaway is to pay special attention to the board and take advantage of the specials, especially the main course. This time it was Tiger Shrimp, glass noodles, mushrooms, bok choy, scallions dressed with a light sesame garlic soy. Most mains as such come with white rice covered completely by fried omelette. Worth going just for the specials.
January 15, 2018 Post
I started this blog in 2012, about 2 years after Pure Thai Shophouse opened on 9th ave. Yes, it was called Shophouse back then, until two lawyers from Chipotle walked inside demanding a name change. Little Pure Thai was apparently a threat to Chipotle’s brand spanking new Asian Kitchen Shophouse brand. And what do you know, the threat was apparently real. Long time readers of this blog know the story. The initial idea was to create a sense of a Thai street Shophouse-like environment inside. The place is after-all “if you sneeze you may miss it” tiny, cramped, slightly uncomfortable, and sometimes even smells a little. My type of place. But if not your type, this post may help.
It feels like Pure has been open a while longer considering how many times I’ve been there (somewhere between 50-100). I used to go there with co-workers whenever I felt like it, until it got so popular that we would need to leave the office at 11:45, 15 minutes before opening. We would sometimes even have practice drills and those who’d fail would be on a three month lunch probation. Over the years, I’ve seen it become a lot more popular with tourists. When I get emails from visitors (tour inquiries, hate mail, marriage proposals, etc), Pure is mentioned more than any other place. But not only I’m glad its successful, I couldnt keep it a secret if I wanted to. In the great sea of 9th ave Thai, there’s really nothing like it. And while establishments next door are adjusting to mass tourism with increased prices and smaller portions, Pure continues to do it the only way they know how
Pure Thai Pork
There’s a reason why Pure has been on the Hell’s Kitchen Survival Guide from day one. If you are simply after rainbow colored curries, and the basic Pad, Pure may not be the right place. But as I will mention again soon, if there’s a curry dish on that board in the back, it instantly becomes the best curry on 9th. Pure’s specialty is noodles, soups and old family, and regional recipes from all over Thailand. Here’s a little noob guide to help you take advantage of this little gem
When to come: As I mentioned this place has gotten very popular over the years. If I’m solo I come whenever I want. Two people can try as well with a solid backup option in mind (Danji). They will call you when your table is ready if theres a long wait (plenty of bars on 9th). But most convenient time is right when they open (noon), or 2:30 to 4:30 pm
What to expect: You can look at the pictures to get a sense of the type of space. Some of the friendliest people you will ever meet in NYC. The staff functions like a family, some of which have been there for a while. Sometimes they close for a few days for a retreat in a house they own upstate NY. While I never felt totally uncomfortable there, this is as far as it gets from Michelin comfort. You may sit on tiny stools, sharing a tiny table, staring at your partner or an old Thai action movie poster. And then there’s the 80’s Thai disco to complete the mood
What to order: The reason for this post….
Green Papaya Salad – This is a classic Thai dish that you can get everywhere including all over 9th ave. But Pure’s version is… well, pure, loaded with addictive heat and dried shrimp. If you never had a Papaya Salad before, you came to the right place.
Roasted Baby Back Ribs – These ribs wont win the coveted Crazy Roscoe BBQ championship any time soon (Ok, I totally made that up), but this is finger licking magic, loaded with bean paste, oyster sauce, sesame, sitting on top of the luckiest lettuce on the planet
Jungle Curry Fried Rice With Chicken – Some of the best simple looking fried rice dishes you’ll find in the city. Fragrant, and spicy (notice a trend? It ends soon). Serves as a great side dish or main.
Ratchaburi Crab & Pork Dry Noodles – This is the Oprah Winfrey of the Pure dishes. A dish liked by everyone. A specialty of Ratchaburi region, where one of the owners (wife) hails from. Its very mild and so a safe dish for the heat challenged, but satisfying enough for those seeking bolder flavors. Scoop up the broth to the top and mix this baby well.
Wok Curry Paste With Pork (second from top)- More delicious heat. Loaded with the best of Thai… string beans, Thai eggplant, bamboo shoots, green peppercorn, basil, and kaffir lime curry sauce. One of my favorite Wok dishes here, along with the Chili Turmeric With Beef, and Roasted Chili With Shrimp
Sukhothai Pork Noodles Soup – One of my favorite soups in Hell’s Kitchen. It got the depth, the aroma and all kinds of pork action. Three different textures of pork in fact including craklings.
Fried Rice With Lump Crab Meat – This is an above average crab fried rice. If you are not after a spicy fried rice like the Jungle Curry, this is a solid alternative. Its quite crabby, and quite delicious
Grilled Spicy Beef Salad – What the seared beef lacks in texture it more than makes up for it in flavor. It has the tang of a spicy Larb salad and the thin strips of green apple add a nice crunch
Special – When you come in, treasure awaits on the board in the back. The mains are more exciting. Often beef or shrimp sauteed with some kind of spicy paste, market fresh veggies, Jasmine rice, and a fried egg. And as I mentioned before, if its curry, it instantly becomes the best curry on 9th.
Mango or Pumpkin Sticky Rice – Possibly the most important tip here since you can easily miss it. Its the lone dessert, always on the board as a special but sometimes they get too lazy and dont even list it. Sometimes its Mango, sometimes Pumpkin and sometimes both. Served on top of sticky rice, with sesame and coconut milk wrapped in banana leaf. Its warm, with just enough sweetness, and simply heavenly.
Thai Iced Tea – Goes without saying. This is a good one
Warning: Some of these are tips you will see just about everywhere else. I figured if I issue the warning I can easily get away with it. But at the same time let some of this serve as a strong emphasis.
Yes, I know, I’m about 24 hours late on this. Its beginning to feel a lot like spring here compared to what we experienced the previous 4 days. Today I can finally wear just enough layers and headgear to be recognizable and to comfortably go to the bathroom during tours. And I dont need to inspect the mummies I’m with every 30 minutes to make sure these are the people I’m touring with
During my Brooklyn tours, we visit one of my favorite stores in NYC, Vintage in Brighton Beach. Its Turkish owned featuring sweets and various foods from all over Europe and Middle East. And every time I’m inside, it doesnt take long before I find myself staring at a particular brand of ice cream in the fridge, reminiscing about what I could only indulge in about once a year as a child. Same type of thoughts come moments earlier when we visit Coney Island. “Awwwwee”, said no one. But today, in my late 30’s (ok, 47 to be exact), I can afford to eat one of those babies more than once a year. And I do cherish every one of those moments.
The best tip I can give you when you go to Venice with kids is this: Start planning your return trip without them. Meanwhile you scout, you observe, you take notes, and study. And by the time you return you can pretend to live like a local for just a few days, and do crazy things like have a full meal before dinner. You may even be proficient enough to able to spell Cicchetti without Googling, like the pro that you are. Cicchetti (Chee-ke-tee) is Venice’s answer to the aperitivo (Aperitif). Its the Venetian happy hour. They are served in bars called Bacari, usually 5 to 7 pm, but some are open throughout the day for the rest of us tourists.
Salvmeria – The newest kids on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi block isnt too concerned about its spelling on Google (Yes, its a V in there) because its main aim is locals, not so much tourists. Although far removed from the tourist route, this is one of the most picturesque streets in Venice. The clever assortment of wine goes as far as Moldova. Try the Salumi, and baked scallops with breading and carrots if they have
Fritoin del Gondolier – Its more of a street food shack that can be as convenient as Cicchetti. Here you can try some fried goodies like Mozzarella in Carrozza (a fried sandwich with fillings like ham) and fried cream squares on a stick. Those creamy squares can work well with hot chocolate from Vizio Virtu not too far away
Its time to bump up this Z-Lister and one of my favorite Thai in NYC. All these recent Thai posts can only mean one thing. Its getting freakin cold! And when its cold I like to eat spicy things. And we are also just about outta here to escape this cold front. But this time we are trying something new. We are leaving for something colder instead of warmer (no TCI). The idea is that by the time we come back, we can enjoy better weather. At least thats what we are convincing ourselves.
