"Open since 1969, Chao Krung is one of the oldest Thai restaurants in the entire city. But it wasn’t until a recent revamp of both the menu and the Fairfax space itself that this family-run spot went from being a neighborhood standby to a place worth seeking out. While Chao Krung’s menu is stacked with standout dishes, the strength of the place lies in its curries. (We like the kaeng ped yang, red duck curry with pineapple, and the kaeng hung-ley, made with sweet pork belly, in particular). Plus, with its revamped space—there’s a wraparound bar, a few TVs, and big windows looking out at CBS Studios—it’s a good option for a casual lunch date as well. " - brant cox