Riding the V Line: Thai Heat and Genius on Elmhurst AvenueWe’re riding the B and V from Coney Island all the way to Forest Hills, jumping off frequently to rave about our favorite restaurants along the way.
It’s not much of a secret anymore, but it would be madness to get off at Elmhurst Avenue and not eat at Chao Thai, a Thai restaurant nearly as good as Woodside’s legendary Sripraphai.
NewsFeed
Is Funky Thai Closed, or Just in a Temporary Funk?
Funky Thai has been shuttered for a couple of weeks, which isn’t exactly a shocker. Despite its entrepreneurial spirit (diners got three free tater tots every time they surrendered their dignity by saying the words “all tongue-tied for three free tasty Thai tater tots!!”), the place spent its first year of operation depressingly empty, in so far as a restaurant with a fluorescent-green-and-purple color scheme and an affinity for smiley faces can be depressing. A phone message had them back from Thanksgiving vacation on November 27, but here we are a week later and still a padlock instead of pad Thai. Could this be the end of the latest incarnation of the spot that was Funky Broome and then briefly Jazzi Wok? And if so, what will replace it, Swingin’ Szechuan?
Funky Thai Café [Official site]
Mediavore
Bourdain Lays Into ‘Top Chef’ Hung; Restaurant to Open in Back ofAnthony Bourdain jumps on Top Chef’s Hung even harder than he laid into Marcel last season: “‘Flavor’ counts for very little in a competition for ‘Top Chef.’” [Amuse Biatch]
Related: ‘Top Chef’ Biases Finally Out on the Table
‘Top Chef’ Non-Winner Lia on What Went Wrong
Kanye West is a soul-food connoisseur, when he’s not eating out in haute Asian eateries like Spice Market and Philippe. [WSJ]
An unrelated restaurant will open Thursday in the back room of Setagaya and will feature Thai, Japanese, and Malaysian food. [Eat for Victory/VV]
Related: New East Village Ramen Spot Insists It’s More Authentic Than Momofuku
Restroom Report
Reflecting on the Thai Toilets of Pukk and Peep
It’s no secret that Thais are fly — Thai restaurants are generally outfitted with more bells and whistles than Santa Claus directing traffic. The interior design is especially crispy in the bathrooms (see Sea), and the ones at sister eateries Pukk and Peep are no exception. We visited them both for some very chic leaks.
Back of the House
On the Machismo of Cooking: Competitive Eaters Make for Macho TVCooking is now an essential part of modern machismo, or so men’s magazines seem to feel. [NYDN]
The International Federation of Competitive Eaters inks a deal with Spike TV to keep their “gurgitators,” including NY locals Crazy Legs Conti and Tim “Eater X” Janus, on the airwaves year-round. [Page Six]
Is it possible to open a restaurant on the D.L. in New York City? In the final chapter of this three-part series, the media weighs in. [Snack]
