Ghang Thai: Finally Made It
So Ghang Thai Kitchen at 204 Smith Street (phone: 718-222-5598) has been open for a while, but we just haven't been in the mood for Thai (practically a sin in this neighborhood). We finally felt the urge Tuesday night and settled in for what was to be a perfectly mediocre Thai experience. Major pluses are the notably absent Joya-sized-crowds and the bring-your-own-alcohol policy.
For apps, we had Tom Yum soup, which while spicy enough, was somehow also too sweet, and Tom Kha soup, which was definitely too heavy on the coconut milk. The group favored the jungle curry entree served in a sadly not-so-spicy red curry sauce; its chicken and accompanying veggies tasted more of ginger than of spice, but a very nice and somewhat different dish. The Pad Thai was middling. The Pad Num-Mun Hoy, a sautee (we tried beef) with oyster sauce and veggies was our least favorite--the flavor just wasn't there. Still, our server was memorably friendly and the space calming. Though the menu says delivery between 4th Place and State Street and Hicks Street and Nevins Street, we saw mostly take-out happening.
If we had to choose a favorite Thai place in the hood ... it's a toss-up between Em Thai and 9-D (despite their charging for rice policy). Joya can be good on a Monday night, but we think there are now two chefs: one good, one bland as bland can be. Sadly the bland chef seems to be cooking on Mondays.
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don't forget about the lemon-infused water ... delish!
My boyfriend and I have eaten at/ordered from Ghang Thai a couple of times when we weren't in the mood for a noisy, crowded Joya experience. The first few times were great, but a few nights ago we ordered from them and the food was AWFUL. Truly inedible. Our appetizer wasn't cooked all the way and my pumpkin curry was totally flavorless. We were so disappointed. I'm hoping they were training a new cook or something, because I like having another Joya alternative for those nights when I just can't deal with the hordes.
What about Thai Sesame? I order practically every Sunday night. Always delicious and although the in house dining room service is good, the ambience is nothing to write home about which is why I usually order out.
I agree with the commetn about having two chefs at Joya - sometimes it's really good but I just went there a few weeks ago and it was BLAND BLAND BLAND. I'll have to try Ghang Thai...
You see, I'm the kind of person who likes good food but doesn't usually like staying in restaurants longer than necessary. The crowd, the noise... very often, there's something about a restaurant that urges me to leave as soon as I'm done eating.
Ghang is different. The atmosphere in this place is just so relaxed and friendly that I like to stay around and take my time. So I'd like you all to go there, discover the place for yourselves, and make it stay around for me. :)
The food, of course, is very good. I've been there a couple of times already and tried different things, and was not disappointed once. Do try the Curry Puff (get some hot sauce with it, if that's your thing), or the Crying Tiger Salad; the Curries are great, too. In fact, I trust one can pick anything from the menu and it'll be delicious.
The restaurant is also very conveniently located for people like me, who have to get back to Manhattan: it's just one block away from the Bergen St. station (F and G), if you exit in the Brooklyn-bound direction.
Also, if you pass the restaurant coming from the train and walk one and a half blocks further, you'll be able to get some booze from a great little wine store. They always seem to have a couple of good wines for under $10, which you can take back into the restaurant.
They also do delivery and take-out for you people in the neighborhood - but I think this place really is what eating out was invented for.
I don't think my fiancee and I have been to Joya since we tried Ghang Thai. We've eaten there easily twenty times, by ourselves and with several groups of friends (who have all become regulars), and I have never been disappointed. Great service, wonderfullly quiet and relaxed atmosphere, and the BYOB policy nicely compliments the wide selection of wine shops in the area.