Toni M.
Yelp
Bangkok by the Bay is situated where Riva Cucina used to be. I read about it in Nosh and chose it for lunch w/ Lori and Terry when it was my turn to choose where we met. I called and made a reservation for November 22. That day was very stormy so we decided to reschedule. They were closed the following Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, so we decided to meet today. I called and made a reservation for 12:30.
I hadn't been to Riva Cucina since before the pandemic and that block of Heinz looks very different, so different that I bypassed the restaurant and ended up having to turn around and come back. If I had paid attention to the address that would have solved the problem, but I didn't. I just expected to recognize it. There are a couple of disabled spaces on the street nearby and I took one and walked over. To my surprise, because I was 5 minutes late, I was the first one there. Terry arrived shortly after and then Lori a bit later. I had looked over the menu, which is extensive, varied and interesting. One thing I noticed is that they're cognizant and respectful of a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions, from gluten free to vegetarian and vegan. They also offer a variety of spice levels. I was tempted at first to try either their Pad Thai or Pad See Euw, then I saw their Laab Gai, which I love. It came as part of the Isaan Som Tum Sets, w/ sticky rice, papaya salad and crudités. I ordered it mildly spicy, maybe mild plus. I also ordered hot Thai tea. We agreed to share an order of mushroom dumplings to start. Otherwise I will let Lori and Terry tell you in their reviews what they ordered.
The restaurant looks very different than it did when it was Riva Cucina, much lighter walls and ambiance, as I remember it. There are two restrooms all the way down the hall on the right, one marked Men, the other Women, although both hold single toilets, so I suppose you could use either if necessary. I used the women's and it was clean, well stocked and functional. There were a few other tables seated, parties of varying sizes, large and small. A party of 7 walked in and was readily accommodated. An even larger party was seated when I walked in. I believe the workers in the surrounding buildings patronize the restaurant and form their customer base, based on their being closed on w/es and the day after Thanksgiving.
The dumplings came first, w/ a tasty dipping sauce and a salad and the lunch sets quickly followed. The dumplings were delicious, five to an order. Terry and I split one, giving us 1 1/2 and Lori 2. The papaya salad had some unexpected spice heat, but nothing I couldn't handle, and it was delicious. The same was true of the laab, which I know as larb. It was beautifully presented in a bowl of red cabbage leaves. You can see in the photo the beautiful presentation. When I finished my salad I put the sticky rice in the dressing that was left and it was excellent. It was a great lunch in excellent company. I will definitely return.
