New NYC Thai Restaurants LenLen and Narkara Open in Manhattan | Eater NY

"Centered on the cuisines of Northern and Northeastern Thailand, this Union Square newcomer presents gaeng kradang (a cold red curry terrine), gai tai nam (a specifically poached chicken), ong mun pu (crab butter custard with sticky rice), and larb ped, a minced duck salad with seared foie gras, plus desserts like mor gaeng puak, a taro custard with palm sugar ice cream. Cocktails mirror the regional focus, including a Makwaen Penicillin (makwaen pepper–infused scotch, mezcal, drambiue, dry vermouth, and a galangal syrup), a Rice Paddy Herb martini (jasmine-green tea gin, rice paddy herb–infused dry vermouth, and a marachino cherry), and a French 75 take with lychees and Vietnamese coriander gin. The 150-seat space showcases Thai artisanship with a bamboo installation by Korakot Aromdee and woven dividers by Thailand art studio Patapian, while staff wear uniforms created by Bangkok designer Ek Thongprasert. Run by the Kinnaree Hospitality Group—which also operates VIV and Thep—with co-founders Verasak Sangsiri, Tanapon Srisupha, and Rocky Romruen, the kitchen is led by chef Sakdiphat Mokkasak, previously of Thep, Pongsri, and Pye Boat Noodle." - Nadia Chaudhury