I’d been hearing and reading accolades about Thai Diner, the more casual offshoot of the highly acclaimed Uncle Boons that shut down during the pandemic. We had heard that it’s always packed so decided to go at an off time, late afternoon. Laughing that our timing might be coined as the new early-bird dining!

The restaurant on the corner of Kenmare and Mott was not packed so we were immediately seated in one of the tiny but  comfy booths. When we ordered, we requested that each item be served separately. They gladly obliged.  That’s another reason to dine at an off-hour!

We started with an order of the shrimp-paste coated bite-size pork riblets with green mango served with a sweet fish sauce ($15 for 5 chunks).  We devoured the tender delicious meat that fell right off the bite-size bone pieces. I wouldn’t order them again, though, even tho tasty as I see no need for them to be fried.

Their pad was one of the most delicious versions I’d had to date! Yes, that good. The rice noodles came with peanuts, scrambled egg, radish slices and crispy dried shrimp in a tamarind sauce topped with five head-on prawns ($22) and bean sprouts. Next time — and there will be a next time as it was that good — I would order the veggie (18) or chicken ($19) version. Don’t miss!

Our last dish was their Massaman Neuh ($26), a relatively mild Thai curry with braised short ribs, purple potatoes, onions and green peppercorn, served with white jasmine rice and peanuts. The sauce had a delicious flavor, we only wished the three large chunks of meat were a tad less fatty.

All in all, I highly recommend a visit.

Thai Diner
NoLita
186 Mott St (at Kenmare Street)
New York, NY 10012
646-559-4140
thaidiner.com