Thai cuisine traditionally highlights four flavors — sweet, sour, salty, and spicy — with an emphasis on achieving a balance of these in every meal. That’s what Mallika Sukjaro, a Thailand native, is going for with Dee Daa, which opened for lunch today on East 44th Street near Third Avenue. The fast-casual concept is the former businesswoman’s first restaurant, and to get the right flavor interplay, she’s laid out recommended pairings (i.e., side dishes) to go with each entree.
Order massaman curry and you’ll be prescribed the crispy shrimp or papaya salad to accompany, or opt for “drunken” noodles and you’ll learn they go best with vegetable spring rolls or coconut-milk soup. Desserts and snacks include dried “fruit chips,” and chocolate-covered banana, strawberry, mango, and orange, plus four kinds of tea, each with a different prescribed health benefit. Whether you follow directions or prefer to off-road with your order, you can get it to go in biodegrable containers or grab one of 28 seats anytime from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Check out the menu below, and take a peek at the space and some dishes in our slideshow.
Dee Daa, 155 E. 44th St., nr. Third Ave.; 646.396.6500
Dee Daa Menu [PDF]
See more openings: Grub Street Openings Map
