Bang Bang Bangkok

"We get it. You really want to tell your date about that time you backpacked through Thailand after college. Show them instead, at BangBang Bangkok in Williamsburg. At this restaurant from the Mao Mao team, the narrow dining room looks like the inside of a bus, with school bus-style seats for two. As each of your courses is delivered to you from an airline trolley, footage of Bangkok rolls by on screens that wrap around like in an IMAX theater. As New York's only Thai tasting menu spot, BangBang Bangkok has a compelling enough hook, even without the distracting dining room. It just might take until the third course to give the food your undivided attention. But turn away from the sights and sounds of a floating market for a moment, towards the deconstructed papaya salad, featuring a quenelle of tomato sorbet, green papaya aspic, cashew parmesan crumble, and red chili caviar. It's meant to be smashed together into a savory slushy—the way som tum is traditionally mixed with a mortar and pestle. Like the rest of the $155 experience, it's a gimmick, but a really fun one. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte Each bite is both familiar and surprising, and just as impressive as the production around you. Even against the backdrop of people dancing on tables on Bangkok's buzzing Khao San Road, BangBang never slacks on the fancy little touches. You get the rose-scented hot towel, the amuse bouche, and—if it’s your birthday—a pair of macarons to take home. Make a reservation for a unique date that's part fine-dining, part theme-park ride, and part mini-vacation. Food Rundown Tasting Menu The 10-course tasting menu is $155, and features Thai food cooked with French technique and added flair. Think lobster tom kha gai poured from a tea kettle, and a deconstructed papaya salad with som tum sorbet. photo credit: Kate Previte The Influence BangBang really introduces itself with this course. Inspired by papaya salad, the dish consists of green papaya aspic, tomato sorbet, cashew nut parmesan crumble (no peanuts), and red chili caviar. Smash them together, and you get a savory slush with a compelling tang from the parmesan crumble. photo credit: Kate Previte White River This is our favorite course. Everyone gets a bowl with a chunk of lobster and mushroom galangal compote, surrounded by a pool of grassy green coriander oil. Then, a server pours a creamy coconut broth on top from a tea kettle, perfuming the entire room. photo credit: Kate Previte Noble As the host explains, this duck course got its name from the fact that, in the old days, only the rich could afford duck. And indeed, this tastes like a dish for the rich, with a super smoky slab of duck and slightly spicy red curry sauce. photo credit: Kate Wisdom For your main course, choose between two options: grilled wagyu, or Chilean sea bass. We like both, but slightly prefer the bass. Lightly fried, it has a deep lemongrass flavor throughout. photo credit: Kate Previte Green Curry We love the food here. But we love this soju cocktail even more. Yeah, it tastes eerily like green curry—especially when you stir in the coconut cream on top. But it also has a herby aroma, with notes of makrut lime and lemongrass. Our host insisted that we take bites of the bell pepper garnish in between sips to get the full experience—more cocktails should come with a bell pepper garnish." - Neha Talreja