Word of Mouth: Kittichai

April 25th, 2011 by Vanilla Ice

 

PX This presents THE "WORD OF MOUTH" REVIEW

We’re actually getting kinda sick of new restaurants; it’s a bit tedious pointing out the same types of flaws over and over and over again and ultimately being disappointed more often than impressed. (Here’s a novel idea: why don’t you try working to improve the shitty restaurant you already have, rather than opening a new one every nine months, you greedy egomaniacal bastard?) But hey, maybe that’s just us.
Anyhoo! It’s so nice to see you! We hadn’t planned on visiting your place, probably like— ever— but the "word of mouth" on this joint has been pretty outstanding. So, ya know— we’re intrigued. We’re hoping that good "word of mouth" is all genuine, and we can get us some of that good in our mouth. Word.
What’s that? You’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you’re hoping we’ll like it and help spread the news, since you fired your publicist long ago for not doing jack shit for you?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what obnoxious opinionated food-bloggers are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !

 

Kittichai

What exactly made you choose our restaurant?
My friend is a big fan; I just went along for the ride…

What was your first impression?
It’s very pretty.

Please rate the Bar:
It’s OK. Rather small, but the lounge tables are nice, welcoming, and comfortable. (Evidently, the hotel has another bar/lounge upstairs near the lobby, as well as a rooftop bar/lounge for the summertime.)

Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Very nice. Great house cocktail recipes with fresh and exotic ingredients, including some unique non-alcoholic varieties. The wine list as well is good, diverse (particularly for an Asian restaurant), and reasonably priced (especially considering its location within a chic SoHo hotel)— which makes their new Spring "Happy Hour" dinner special of 50% of all bottles of wine (starting May 2nd) remarkably intriguing.
(And don’t miss their great Thai Iced Coffee after dinner, either.)

Please rate the Dining Room:
Beautiful. Warm, commodious, and relaxing. (How many NYC dining rooms can boast a tranquil meditation pool?)

Please rate the BOH:
Outstanding. Chef Ty Bellingham has done a great job re-invigorating Kittichai’s ample and stellar menu. Very impressive.

How was the staff?
Great. Friendly, knowledgeable, and perfectly proficient.

What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Rock shrimp : Delicious. Crisp but succulent and very tasty. Great take on an Asian classic.
Smoked trout with shiso leaf : Unexpectedly terrific and unique. The description doesn’t begin to do it justice.
Mekhong whiskey ribs :
Very good. Fall-off-the-bone tender. Flavorful (but not overwhelming) sauce.
Banana blossom salad : Different. Piquant. Maybe just a tad too generous with the dressing, though.
Oxtail soup : Mmm, rich and tangy but delicate. Gorgeous presentation.
Hamach tartare : Fresh and delectable. Zesty but light.
Spicy prawns : Scrumptious and delectably fiery, but personally would have preferred them just a wee bit undercooked. Otherwise, excellent.
Sauteed gai-lan : Perfect.

What did you like?
That smoked trout wrapped in shiso was really amazing.

What did you dislike?
That I missed out on the curried short-rib? So much food! But I really wanted that too. Oh well, next time…

What was your last impression?
50% off all bottles of wine?! I just might move in here…

Would you come back?
Ohhh, yeah.

Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.

 

 

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