Citizen Thai And The Monkey Noodle Bar

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
Exotic stone carvings and dramatic statues greet casually hip diners at this tranquil, two-story Thai outpost. Fragile orchids adorn dark wood tables throughout the chic space, which is subtly split into two restaurants; each one takes up a portion of the first and second floors. Diners on the north half nosh among colossal golden Buddahs at Citizen Thai, while south side Monkey Bar patrons dine under a canopy of colorful silk lanterns or at a bar lined with vivid masks.

The Food
The Monkey Bar serves up street fare such as noodles and stir-fry, while its more sophisticated counterpart offers artful small plates. Most impressive is roasted duck curry served in a hollowed pineapple. Though dessert selection is limited and appetizers, like chicken satay, are somewhat conventional, exotic dishes that combine sweet and savory flavors, such as a soft shell crab and green papaya salad, make for tantalizing choices.