Chicken Pad Thai (above, $6.75) Side Salad with peanut dressing (below, included in special)

Chicken Pad Thai

For the first time in a while I opted for Pad Thai over Drunken Noodles (Khi Mao). Pad Thai is my old standby and with only one exception, Chai’s was delicious. The serving looks small but it was actually quite filling.

• The flavor was balanced, just enough fish sauce, tamarind, chili pepper and crushed peanut.
• White meat chicken was tender, piping hot and tasted fresh.
• I asked for it extra spicy and it arrived with a nice kick, not painful but enough to clear the sinuses a bit.
• The one exception: An overabundance of scallion.

Salad

A better option than the minuscule spring rolls, the salad was tiny and mundane despite the enticing sight of shaved carrot & beet root. The peanut dressing was watery and bland, the lettuce was boring iceberg and there was only one slice of cucumber and tomato.

Lunch Special Menu

Here it is in all its self-explanatory glory.

Conclusion

Quality Thai for a good price in a stylish setting. What more can you ask for when you’re eating near Midtown? There are literally 34 seats crammed into this small restaurant and there would be 6 more if not for the small pond (below) which ordains part of the storefront. Regardless, it adds a little flavor to an area that’s commercialized and touristy, so seize the day. Go out for lunch and enjoy an affordable, filling meal at Chai.

Chai

930 8th Avenue at 55th Street

Chai at Williamsburg