Spicy Shallot

"Sometimes, we forget what it’s like to feel alive. When that happens, we go to Chao Thai. Yes, the food here usually packs a good amount of heat—but the dishes have so much else going on that they also jump-start the neurons in our brains. The crispy duck salad, with cashews, pineapple, ginger and onions, for example, is a galaxy unto itself. Get it, try the sour sausage salad as well, and bring a friend or two to help you eat everything at this tiny cash-only place." - will hartman, bryan kim, hannah albertine, neha talreja, willa moore

"James Lam’s restaurant, Spicy Shallot, which he co-owns with his wife, Inthira Lam, is situated in Elmhurst in Queens, another area devastated by the virus. He was able to set up outdoor dining with partitions, thanks to a friend who is a contractor. But he says many people in the area aren’t able to do much more than some outdoor tables and chairs, and the neighborhood hasn’t fully recovered from being a virus epicenter. Customers outside the neighborhood are hesitant to visit. Still, the restaurant’s basic setup has been helpful—revenue is up 30 percent." - ByPriya Krishna

"This rollicking, stylish spot divides its menu between better-than-average sushi and a Thai menu flaunting not only standards but a few less ubiquitous dishes." - Robert Sietsema

"Spicy Shallot, another dining option for chef Jimmy Lau." - Serena Dai