December 1st, 2019 Update:
Even with one of the most prominent Thai gone (Larb Ubal), Thai food in Hell’s Kitchen today is an embarrassment of riches. They keep multiplying, making ugly babies. On 9th they are more common than pharmacies or delis. On 10th where its much tougher to survive, they are going strong. But if I have to pick one name out of the bunch that has the best combination of food, comfort, and accessibility, its Taladwat.
Like a fine wine aging in dog years, Taladwat gets better every month. David Bank (Pure Thai Cookhouse) and Brian Ghaw (Feast) essentially perfected the local formula by offering the most robust Thai flavors inside a mini beer garden setting. The setting and concept is unlike anything else available on 9th, or pretty much the city for that matter. While its not the prototypical pre-theater type, the location, and accessibility (at the moment) makes it the perfect pre-theater pick. Our last meal was before Tootsie, and as great as the show was, the meal was even better. And cheaper.
The big takeaway from the last feast was the Short Rib, Kaffir Chicken and a perfectly grilled Branzino special. The Kaffir Chicken is like a fiery no nonsense Isan Larb, filling the void left by Larb Ubol. The Ginger Braised Short Rib was pure lip-smacking goodness. I would order that sauce alone. Another big hit at the table was a stir fry of Japanese Pumpkin, egg and shallots. The crab and Turmeric Curry Chicken are musts on every visit. But you cant really go wrong here. Just right, and righter. 
January 20, 2019 Post:
When a new Thai opens in Hell’s Kitchen, and no one hears about it, does it make a sound? Not so much these days in the closest thing we have to Thai-Town where Thai food in many forms dominate 9th ave and beyond. But what happens when the owners of the most important Thai in Hell open something after being quiet for many years. You get a tsunami in comparison. Such is the case with the new baby sister of Pure Thai Cookhouse a few blocks down called Taladwat
I didnt realize the connection when I first walked by Taladwat from Kinky Boots (meh!). But I was intrigued by the menu that looked very different than the usual bunch. There’s not much in common with Pure Thai here except perhaps for originality and some key ingredients. Communal wooden tables dominate the rustic spacious room that looks more like a little Thai beer garden.
Over 20 dishes with prices next to them that most likely wont mean much to you. Thats because most select the Pick and Mix option; 2 for $16 for lunch, or $21 for dinner for the smaller tapas like versions of the dishes. I’ve taken advantage of the deal in all of my five visits so far. Two dishes per person is a good amount. I will update this post from time to time but out of the dishes I tried so far here are my current favorites…
Vegetable Green Curry – The curries here, whether in paste or creamy form are all solid. This has just enough kick to remind you that you are not in one of the ordinary Thais on 9th
Crabmeat Tom Turmeric – Just like at Pure, crab reigns supreme with some key dishes. This is just a well balanced milky goodness.
Pad Prik Khing Pork – Similar but not the same as one of my favorite pork dishes at Pure. It comes with green Thai long beans they love so much, and a more complex, potent curry paste
Pork Stew – A mild but delicious stew that is not as shareable as other dishes, but there’s just enough meat for two. It comes with some tofu and a hard boiled, hence “stew”
Turmeric Curry Chicken – Another outstanding curry. Juicy, succulent dark meat ladened with a curry paste with some serious depth
Steamed Pompano – This is a small white fish that doesnt offer a lot of flesh, but whatever you can extract is quite delicious especially once you add the green chili sauce that comes with the dish. Pompano can only be served whole due to its size and bonyness (I may have swallowed a few but hey what can I say, I’m living on the edge. Yesterday I let my phone’s battery go down to 10%!)
Taladwat
714 9th Ave (49th)
Rating: 3 Z’s (out of 4)
Stars range from Good to Exceptional. Simple as that
Recommended Dishes: Turmeric Curry Chicken, Crabmeat Tom Turmeric, Pad Prik Khing Pork, Ginger Braised Short Rib, Branzino (special), Kaffir Chicken, Japanese Pumpkin
In the black sea of Uzbek and Ukrainian eateries on Brighton Beach Ave, one can easily forget the avenue two blocks up, Neptune. Like 10th ave in Hell’s Kitchen, 7th avenue in Sunset Park, these are the forgotten practical blocks. As a visitor you tend to gravitate towards the hubs. But when you live in the hood, this is where you fix your chipped tooth, visit your favorite tarot card reader, or get that pastrami sub from the deli guy that knows exactly how you like it.
December 30th, 2018 Update:
When is a concept, not really a concept. Or doesnt feel like one. If you walk inside Kish Kash in West Village without knowing anything about it, it may feel like just another casual restaurant serving food that my be even too familiar. But once you read about it you can see that this is not your ordinary kitchen. Its the only place in NYC that makes couscous the way it was made 300 years ago. Couscous made with a lot of love that accumulated over the years by chef Einat Admony (Balaboosta, Taim).
Gochu Ramyun – There are so many Ramen variations in the city that its hard to understand the difference between Korean Ramyun and Japanese Ramen. This pork broth carried some serious depth, and is essentially like the best Tonkotsu you will ever eat.
Apologies for the blurry photo. I start to shake in front of deliciousness. My posts will be smaller and to the point beginning… well it began actually. Too much going on in my life at the moment, so I dont have as much time to blog these days. But this is actually a good, refreshing change that will allow me to write about more places. More places, more usefulness, less mambo jumbo, same grammar.
EV Bites is a monthly(ish) feature, showcasing 5 places in or around East Village you should know about. I will occasionally extend the border to Nolita and LES, and maybe even mention a name more than once. The East Village neighborhood, in case you’ve been living under a rock, or Staten Island is an incubator for top industry talent, and a goldmine of world cuisine.
You may have been wondering why I havent updated the Hell’s Kitchen Guide in a while. Maybe I dont hang out there nearly as much anymore. Or watch too much Daredevil? One is true. I still hang out there often, especially before or after the Hell’s Kitchen tour. But I do watch Daredevil. I even saw the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen himself in action, slurping on Ivan Ramen noodles in Gotham West Market. No joke. I asked his buddy Luke Cage what they were up to and he said they were filming The Defenders. Jessica Jones was eating elsewhere, obviously not a fan of the just updated 
Eating With Ziggy 