FIVE DOLLAR LUNCH

I will admit that I waited a full 24 hours after eating here - before posting - to make sure I didn't get food poisoning. Five dollars? How is it NOT poison? A friend of mine suggested this restaurant by merit of it being (a five dollar lunch special) and at the direct halfway point between her apartment and my office.

Note: Please ignore this menu graphic. I thought I was so clever, swiping this at the end of the meal for blogging purposes. They have since moved and are now at:

Rhong Tiam Thai
87 Second Avenue (@ 5th Street)
212.260.8018

Menu here.

Though I LOVE a curry, I usually am in the habit of ordering Pad Thai when eating out at a Thai place. If I make it clear that the Pad Thai must be prepared without soy sauce (it usually is) OR fish sauce (not an unusual request, as a vegetarian option) I am usually in pretty good shape. Also, Pad Thai is delicious (disgusting).

The waitress seemed to comprehend my seriousness and happily agreed to give me a fresh summer roll in place of the fried spring roll, all part of the lunch special. There was also a half dome of white rice and a salad with "carrot mayonnaise dressing" - which I did not touch. Last but not least I avoided the requisite food coma by sippin' on some Thai iced tea, which is the closest thing to methamphetamines that I ever intend to imbibe.


Bonus: great people-watching through the giant window onto Second Avenue. Ridiculous Mod decor, in the style of Thai restaurants all over New York. Why? One of life's great mysteries.