Midtown Lunch

People have always told me that Little Thai Kitchen (on 53rd btw. 2+3rd) is a cut above the rest of the Thai restaurants in the neighborhood, but their lunch specials start at $11 so I hadn’t really been too motivated to try it. But recently, curiosity got the best of me so I headed over to check out what they had to offer.

Little Thai Kitchen is certainly aptly named, since this place is little. I would suggest doing takeout since the place is usually packed around lunchtime given they only have space for four or five tables. I chose a vegetable pad thai lunch special which included my choice of appetizer, in this case steamed veggie dumplings.

The veggie dumplings had a gyoza-like thin skin and the typical shredded vegetable filling. They were sprinkled with fried garlic bits for an added punch of flavor. The sweet soy dipping sauce was tasty and complemented the dumplings well.

The pad thai was an above average rendition. It was moist enough without getting soupy or soggy, and the noodles were springy and fresh. The vegetables were well-seasoned, well-cooked, and plentiful and there were lots of peanuts, which is extremely important if you ask me. Also important is the ample portion size (the takeout container pictured is an extra-deep variety), which gave me two lunches out of this meal.

Overall, Little Thai Kitchen is an above average Thai food experience. It’s worth a try if you’re feeling flush, but if funds are tight there are plenty of fine Thai lunch specials for under $10 in the neighborhood to keep you satisfied.

Little Thai Kitchen, 231 E. 53rd St (btw 3 + 2nd), (212) 644-5353