Larb Ubol, Popular Thai Restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen, Has Closed | Eater NY

"Critically praised Hell's Kitchen Thai restaurant Larb Ubol closed permanently this week; a sign posted on the front notes the business has closed and the phone has been disconnected, and a tipster told Eater that chef-owner Ratchanee Sumpatboon wasn’t able to renew the lease and is actively looking for another location on Ninth Avenue. Opened in 2013 to serve regional dishes from Isaan, it quickly gained attention from critics: the Times' Ligaya Mishan wrote that while the design and decor were make-do and seemingly assembled overnight, the food was the real focus and often delightful; Eater critic Robert Sietsema was similarly impressed, writing that it gave "a clearer picture of the cuisine at the ground level than more upscale spots." Eater critic Ryan Sutton wrote recently that it was still among the city's top Thai in 2018, especially in its execution of the duck version of its larb, the restaurant's namesake and specialty." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya