Not all Pad Thai created equal...

With the explosion of Thai or Thai-like eateries all along Manhattan and Bedford Avenues, one thing becomes clear: All Thai food is not equal.

Let’s start with the simplest of dishes: Pad Thai. On Manhattan Avenue alone, between Driggs and Huron Streets, there are four Thai restaurants. Add these to the cache in Northside and you have at least a dozen Pad Thais to choose from within a mile radius.

Pad Thai is a simple dish that, in Thailand, is a popular street-vendor food. The trend these days is to make it into something gooey. Personally, I do not like a pile of sticky, oily noodles masquerading as Pad Thai. Oil content is very important in this dish. There should be almost none. Too often, pad thai oozes oil and the noodles stick together because they were not properly tossed in a wok or flipped on a flat griddle.

Dilemmas, dilemmas, always dilemmas.

My choice for Greenpoint pad thai is Ott Thai Restaurant, on Manhattan Avenue at Huron Street (near the G Train stop). It is small, mom & pop shop with Spartan but clean furnishings.

Here’s why I like the Pad Thai:

1. It is not oily or sticky
2. If you want to spice yours up “Thai style”, they will give you the dried chili flakes, sugar and lime, and show you how they do it back home.
3. The portions are not so aggressive that you feel full even before you start eating it.

Special Ott Notes:

While Thai eateries are many and most have similar menus, Ott offers some stand out dishes that you won’t find elsewhere on the avenue:
1. Steamed Fish with Fried Ginger – this is a great dish and so much nicer than a fried version of the same. Usually made with sole or tilapia, this is a delicate and flavorful way to treat the fish.
2. Grilled Squid – a great alternative to the usual fried calamari, and served with a spicy sauce that leaves no question marks hanging over your head.
3. Spicy beef salad – appetizer or entrée size, for when you just are not in the mood for a curry.
4. DESSERT! While they do have the fried bananas and green tea ice creams, there are also dessert surprises lurking in the kitchen. Try the coconut pudding, served warm in a trio of small, traditional dishes.
5. Other surprises – from time to time, the owner will have other homemade desserts on hand, or a fish special inspired by that day’s catch.

Beer is available by the bottle, but wine is a problem. Best to bring your own.

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Posted on 9/14/2005 ( Permanent Link )
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