Early in 2004, Robin Leigh and partners Michael Callahan, Jean-Marc Homard and Huy Chi Le (each already known for such landmark establishments as Indochine, BondSt) joined forces to bring to New York a world-class culinary paean to Thai cuisine. Designed to serve the guest population of the hotel as well as daily rhythms of broader downtown diners, Kittichai benefits from its principals’ strong tract record in hospitality.  The restaurant not only embodies the cuisine of Thailand but also other aspects of culture including design and dress.

The focal point of the main dining room is the complacent pond that sits in the center of the restaurant.  Guests gaze upon lily pads, floating candles, flowing water and hanging flowers. Backlit orange fabric is draped along the walls and all throughout the space and bring a vibrant warmth that sets the tone for a romantic evening on the town.

The crowd is beautiful…which is expected…afterall, this is the Thompson Hotel.  Celebrities frequently populate the space–the likes of Stevie Wonder, Naomi Watts, John Malkovich and Alicia Keyes have all been spotted dining here.  Expect to see an eclectic crowd of Europeans, locals, tourists and even families.  Part of the Kittichai experience is being dining in a non-pretentious environment where everyone is welcome.

To start your meal off, the coconut and galangal soup with organic chicken and straw mushrooms is a definite must have.  This creamy smooth sensational soup is sweet and sour with a hint of coconut flavor.  The liquid sensation is rich and almost feels like you are tasting something solid, though you are not.

Other recommended items include:

Northern Thai beef salad, Chinese long beans and roasted sticky rice powder
Thai seafood bouillabaisse with tiger prawns, scallops and mussels
Baked Chilean sea bass marinated in salted yellow beans with morning glory
pineapple braised short ribs in green curry., thai eggplant and sweet basil
Hudson Valley duck breast, duck confit watermelon salad

Kittichai
60 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012-4308
(212) 219-2000