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59th St-Columbus Circle (1, A, C, B, D)
50th St-8th Ave (C, E)
57th St-7th Ave (N, Q, R, W)
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I have been to Thai Basil a couple of times already. This place serves really good Thai food at a very affordable price. You can have a main dish and a tea drink there for about $15.
The restaurant is not very big and could seat probably around 15 people in total. However, seating is still comfortable--you won't feel cramped. I've had the Thai Basil (Thai basil leaves, onion, bell pepper and your choice of: chicken, pork, vegetables, tofu, vegetarian duck, beef or seafood) every time. I've tried the chicken, pork and seafood and love them all. Their Thai ice tea is also very very good. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Highly recommended!
so, chili thai is closed for renovation.
PANIC.
where will i get my kanom jeeb?!
a seamless web search reveals only one restaurant - thai basil.
why does that sound so familiar? eh whatevs.
i know this won't be as good as chili thai, but i need my fix.
order.
$25 for two with an app..whoa, at least if it sucks it was cheap.
waiting..
arrives.
this looks pretty damn decent.
hey, this is pretty fuckin good.
MMMMMMM THIS IS REALLY GOOD.
*food coma*
staring at menu..
thai basil..thai basil..
wait..
next to route 66?
atop which i lived FOR OVER A YEAR?!
sorry i passed you up so many times thai basil, you're not so pretty to look at but you sure can whip up a pad see ew.
so delicious! great selection of veggie options...as well as meat.
SO CHEAP! and so DELICIOUS!!!
discovered it last week, went again a few days later.
its amazing. try the tom kha soup, massaman curry, everything is great!!!
I have eaten in this restaurant on 2 separate occasions this year. Attracted by the cosy ambience. Feels clean and modern.
The food was good but nothing spectacular. Somehow lacks the 'om' factor I am looking for. Good little place to dine if you have friends visiting you in town.
A sparsely-decorated narrow restaurant which also functions as a take-away. While cheap and filling, this is among the blandest Thai food I've ever tasted. The house white wine is baaaad.
Wow. This is incredibly tasteless food. I had a pan fried noodle appetizer nad a vegetable fried rice dish, and they both were downright awful. The noodles had a strange straw-like texture and bad aftertaste. The fried rice was clumped together and lacking in any kind of flavor. It might have something to do with the fact that -- because I'm vegetarian -- I requested no fish sauce. Please avoid.
Fantastic lunch option! For $7 you can enjoy a small salad (just a few bites of lettuce and veggies), a spring roll and Thai entree with rice. I ordered their basil chicken which had some great red & green peppers and onions. Just the right amount of spice. Brown rice is always a nice option to offer and the sweet Thai iced coffee was the perfect meal.
The space is small and narrow with about 10 tables, but the restaurant is clean. The staff was friendly and the food was served promptly.
I thought Thai Basil was excellent for the price. The rice was a little on the sticky side, which I enjoy, and my chicken thai basil (and my friend's green curry) were both flavorful and tasty. The chicken was wonderfully tender, which is a great change from other tough, overcooked meat I've had at other Thai places in the city. And my sit-down dinner entree was only $8!
My sole complaint is about the dumpling appetizer, which was $4 for four lukewarm steamed potstickers garnished with scallions. I buy a bag of 24 of these guys from Trader Joe's for $3.69, and in Chinatown you can get them even cheaper, so this is definitely a ripoff. It's kind of weird because the rest of the food here is so reasonably priced.
Bottom line: pregame with some TJ's dumplings, skip the appetizers, get a nice cheap entree.
I came here to grab a quick dinner before a show on a Sunday night. The space is small which isn't too bad unless you are seated at a table squeezed into the back area by the register which means no space, a server walking by your table every 5 seconds and having to listen to the servers talk among themselves when they congregate there. Yet, despite the fact that we were within arms' reach of the staff at all times, they managed to ignore our request to place an order and get our check. I had the Pad See Eiw(?) with pork. The pork was overcooked and tough to chew. Half of the broccoli in the dish was actually stem and undercooked. I order this dish at most Thai places because it is very difficult to screw up but I've finally found a place that underdelivered on relativately low expectations. Also do not recommend ordering the potstickers ($4 for 4 small potstickers).
THIS PLACE IS AMAZZZZZZZZZING!! I didn't give it the full 5 stars because it's a little pricey and I've only gotten delivery from here. The food literally comes in like 2 minutes and it is always hot. I have ordered from whenever I have guest and it's always the same reaction "This is the best Thai I've ever had". I'm sure there is more authentic and better Thai but this place is just amazing! The only other con here is that I'm sure the food is a little fattening, ok maybe a lot fattening, BUT IT'S DELICIOUS!!!
To the sick sad sycophantic restaurateurs of Hells Kitchen / Theater District, whom I am sure must have colluded to ensure that only mediocre food would ever be produced in their collective kitchens, I say "Shame on thee". New York is known for great food, though I have yet to experience greatness in this area.
Suffering from a lack of motivation to travel downtown, I decided to dine at Thai Basil and my laziness was countered with a pedestrian, if not terrible dining experience.
I have a hard time discerning between thai restaurants to start. I like thai food, but most thai places are largely fungible in quality, a perception which is partly due to my ignorance of the cuisine. In short, I can tell the difference between bad thai and good thai, but can't discern between good thai and great thai.
So I immediately recognized that I was eating "bad" thai, when I received my dish of pad kee mao. Overcooked to the point of disintegration, the rice noodles were nearly the consistency of baby food. A greasy, mushy, and overall terrible attempt at the dish. A nicely flavored tom yum soup was the only saving grace of the night.
Given the sheer amount of thai eateries that pepper 9th ave, a poorly prepared dish as simple as pad kee mao is unforgivable. As much as I hate on the HK/Theater district, Thai Basil left me further vindicated.
True to other yelpers' descriptions of it as a "hole in the wall," if you aren't looking for this place, you probably won't find it. For me, my first time here was when a friend recommend it for lunch.
I came without expectations, just craving some decent thai food but I was pleasantly surprised. Though they don't have an extensive menu, all the essentials are there-- and done well. The prices are very easy on the wallet, especially if you go in for the lunch special. Service is extremely prompt and courteous. Decor is cozy yet tasteful. Add to that its close proximity to my college and you've got a place I happily frequent for lunch.
Pleasantly surprised by this place. I don't usually wander into a Thai place, especially in NYC, without reading about it first. I hate being disappointed with Thai. But it brought back memories of the great Thai Basil restaurant in Boston so we gave it a try.
FIrst of all, they had duck pad thai - noodles were a bit thinner than usual but had a delicious crunchier-than-usual peanuts sprinkled on them and were deelish. The duck itself was cooked well with the skin really crispy.
Also had the green curry with chicken which was excellent. The Thai iced tea was a bit on the sweet side and I still haven't gotten used to not having the option of boba (the big tapioca pearls) in them. That's pretty standard in Boston.
Portions were huge so was surprised on reading other reviews. I went for dinner though. Will definitely return to try more.
I went here about three weeks ago. I don't know why I suddenly remembered it existed...
Anyway, after going to high school down the street for four years and ending up in college nearby, too, I decided to finally give it a try by getting their pad key mao take out after a rough final.
The portion was so...tiny...
I was pretty disappointed. Even though it was neatly packed.
In addition, the restaurant is ridiculously small, too. My backpack had difficulty fitting in the door. Which, incidentally, is one of the reasons I am now on a quest for a smaller bag.
Thai Basil is the perfect example of why I lurve NYC. In search of a quick dinner, we spotted Route 66, a nice cafe with eye-catching color scheme and decor. However, right next door was Thai Basil and my dining partner wanted to go for it. I was a little apprehensive because of the restaurant's sign and storefront was so dated, a stereotypical hole in the wall. But looks can be deceiving.
I didn't have high expectations going in. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked into this cozy restaurant with simple, beautiful decor and a soothing color palette. The Siam Beef dish was fantastic. Several strips of thin, marinated beef atop white rice. What really did it for me is the sweet chili sauce that you pour over the meat and rice. This dish was bursting with flavor.
This a great little place!!! One of those "hole-in-the-wall" discoveries I am so proud to find in Manhattan! Don't be fooled with the ugly store front... once you are inside, the place is nicely decorated with very comfortable seats, nice floors and very clean! The bathroom could be a little bit cleaner and better... but that is ok when the restroom is shared between men and women and only one is available.
The staff is very nice and friendly, constantly filling your glasses of water and checking that everything is well.
As for the food, we loved it! We had the chicken satay and the "curry puff" (stuffed ground chicken, potatoes and yellow curry powder with cucumber sauce) as appetizers and they were delicious.
For the main course, we ordered two different types of curry: the "Massaman" Chicken Curry (massaman curry paste with coconut milk, potatoes, onions, avocado and cashew nuts) and the "Jungle" Beef Curry (red curry paste in lemon glass broth with bamboo shoot, bell pepper, eggplant and basil). The Massaman Curry was delicious... great flavor and consistency whereas the Jungle Curry was good, spicier, but it was very watery... felt like beef in a soup but the taste was very yummy and I love how spicy it was. The portions are rather good for each person. They also offer Thai beers (which always goes great with a hot curry!).
The price is very reasonable. All the appetizers range between $3-6 and main courses between $9-15, which for Manhattan, this is a bargain for the quality of the food served. Our total bill was only $32.50!
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness: 5.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.5 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 5.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: 5.0 out of 5.0
Price Value: 5.0 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 3.5 out of 5.0
Final Score: 37.5 out of 40 (94 out of 100% or A Grade)
Final Comment: A great value, great food, great decor, great service and great taste! This is one of the best bargains around. Highly recommend this place!
Great option, if you're home and not motivated to leave your apartment to grab a bite. The pad thai and fish cakes are delicious, as is the red curry (yum!!!!). This place is certainly not going to break-the-bank and well worth trying, if you're a fan of thai food.
I am writing this review as I'm eating this crap. Not impressed AT ALL. I ordered the red curry lunch special. First of all, where's the f*ing curry sauce? There's like 1/8" at the bottom. The curry has no spice and barely any flavor. Second, the portion is really small compared to other places. So small, that I can't add rice to my non-existent curry sauce. Basically, my lunch was steamed veggies with dry rice. Yum! Also, why advertise that it comes with a salad if you only serve two pieces of lettuce??
Oh, and btw -- the drop of salad dressing on the two pieces of lettuce tastes like a mix between Mr. Clean and perfume.
The delivery was on the slow side too. The best part was the spring roll and even that wasn't very good.
2 stars for fresh veggies.
I had this obnoxious roommate in Hell's Kitchen who would nightly get blazed, and then ascend his Wondee Siam 3 soap box. It annoyed the shit out of me. Fast forward two years, and recollections of his stoner sympathies still grind my gears. This review is thus dedicated to the memory of his occupancy.
Thai food is good. I think we're all on the same page about that. But is Thai food great? What really separates a five-star masaman curry from a four-star masaman curry from a three-star masaman curry? I think any cuisine whose staples contain ingredients so accessible and universal that I can buy a just-add-water package and convincingly replicate it doesn't deserve to be heralded by amorous potheads. It has in fact occurred to me that Thai restaurants at large - and specifically the Thai restaurants polluting 9th Avenue - all share a single kitchen. Even when you have a serious itch for Thai, have you discerned against one establishment over another? No. Because it's not possible. Thai Basil's menu is 100% identical to every other Thai restaurant in America. It's a little cuter (I guess) than Wondee Siams 1, 2 and 3, because it uses square plates. It's teeny-tiny, easily overlooked, and feels a little college-towny inside. The one thing I appreciate about Thai Basil, is that they don't have that ridiculous axiom that other Thai restaurants have seemingly agreed upon - that you have to fork out extra for a side of rice when you order curry.
Can you give a negative star rating?
I am two ave's away from this place during the day. Fully loaded up on work and all I want is some spicey Thai food. What the F? after several calls and an hour wait, nada. No calls to tell me it's coming, the guys delayed, we can't find the building, the delivery guys been murdered, the end is nigh, the four horsemen cometh, nothing. 5 calls to them to finally get the answer "the guy is lost", what? 2 avenue straight walk and he's lost? Holy crap did he just get off the damn tilt o' whirl blinded folded with bag of delivery food and boot in the ass to get him out the door? People who come here for the first time don't get lost in 2 blocks. Arggggh.
Here I sit, broken hearted. Tried to eat, couldn't get started.
So, to all of this hole in the wall business I'm reading; for some reason I thought a requirement for a hole in the wall was something like, a small place you wouldn't find if you didn't know where it was, but then when you discover it, your life has new meaning, because this teeny tiny place has such amazing food and no one seems to know about it. Sticking to that definition, I didn't feel that way at all, here. I could've made better Thai food myself and I am as caucasian as they come. Granted, I didn't get anything that was specifically Thai, either. I was in the mood to eat light so I got sauteed vegetables, jasmine rice and a mee grab appetizer, because I wanted to try something new. Ew! I did not enjoy the mee grab at all and it smells like wet dog, even now in the trash can a few feet from me. The jasmine rice could not have been farther from any other jasmine rice I've ever had. It was just sticky white rice, pretty much, not even a hint of jasmine. The vegetables were so soy saucy, it wouldn't have mattered if I were eating tar, I probably wouldn't have noticed. For $13 for everything, I guess I wasn't that sad that it wasn't to my liking, but I have had much better for less or a similar price. In fact almost any other place I've ever been has been more impressive than this place. Sorry Thai Basil! The staff was very nice, though, I will give them that!
This is my favorite work lunch spot. It's usually crowded but once you're seated, it's comfy, and service is always quick. Having been to Thailand and being obsessed with Thai food, I can't say this place is necessarily authentic, but it's a delicious, cheap, healthy option and better than some other Thai places on 9th Ave. The lunch special is a great deal: $6.95 for a small salad, spring roll, and choice of entree with rice or noodle dish. Portions aren't huge but perfect amount. You choose your sauce and meat, chicken, veggies, etc. My favorite is veggies w/ garlic or basil sauce. Veggies are always a nice mix and really fresh, not overcooked or drowning in sauce or oil. Yum.
Given the upteen million Thai restaurants situated on 9th Avenue, what in the world possessed me to order from Thai Basil?
Bad weather.. and coworker pressure.
Ok, I'll chalk it up to laziness too.
It was indeed a rainy day recently when we decided to order in for lunch on a Friday. Um... lemme get the Chicken Pad Thai which I'm sure they've made in their sleep by now and can't mess up even if desired. For $8 included tax and tip, I got a well rounded meal with salad (iceberg salad.. yuc) and a veggie spring roll.
The best part of the lunch was the spring roll! The pad thai wasn't anything out of this world but what bothered me was that it contained black specks of something indistinguishable. They were relatively big and definitely not pepper. Minus a few stars for indistinguishable and inappropriate black mystery specks in pad thai.
Anyhow, I'm still alive and kicking so who know what it was. Overall, the meal was decent.
Thai Basil is a small restaurant a few blocks from Lincoln Center. Thai food can be hit or miss, depending on your tastes, and so I normally go for the pad thai simply because I know I can eat it. Here I chose the pad si ew with chicken--wide noodles with egg, broccoli, soy bean paste and dark soy sauce. There was no broccoli to speak of. We preceded the meal with shrimp fritters, which smelled delicious and had our stomachs speaking to us--until we tasted them. Too much pork, not very much taste.
The pad si ew was yummy though and there was plenty on the plate. Two entrees and appetizer came to a couple dollars over twenty, so if you're just looking for an inexpensive, nondescrpit place that offers Thai to fill a craving, this is the place to go.
I went to Massaman heaven today on 9th. Ave. The place has been renovated with nice white plastic wainscotting and high back white chairs and some Thai decoration, thought they did forget to do the bathroom as it has the same green tile and stinky smell of years ago. Who cares about the toilet though when the food is this good and cheap. A $6.95 lunch special includes a nice salad with mesculun, baby tomatoes, carrots and cucumber as well as a yum spring roll. I ordered the pork massaman which was served with white rice and chunks of red skin on potatoes in a sauce so complex with flecks of red pepper- delish. I remember years ago there was avocado in this mix which would have made the dish a home run, but one thing is the same beside the bathroom, the prices and high quality. There are only a dozen plus other Thais on 9th Ave., but this one really serves bangin' grub.
Good lunch deal. Fast food preparation and great service. But I've only been for lunch, pretty typical thai lunch deal. If I hadn't been seated by the door on a cold day, I'd probably up a star.
I'll second Dan that this place is a welcome, serene change from most of the ridiculously loud, crowded Thai places on 9th Ave. I will however, disagree that the food is better. But, as we all know, and particularly for me, a restaurant experience is not judged by food alone. I wasn't particularly hungry on my visit here so I ordered two appetizers instead of a full meal. The Meegrab was very tasty, the curry puffs were just OK - I like Yum-Yum's better. But what I do love here is the decor, simple and elegant, and the service was great. I think for delivery I'll stick with Wondee, but I'll be coming here when I have the urge to dine out for Thai.
I was in town for a seminar this week, and my new friends advised me to try this place out. The seating is outrageously cramped at lunch time. I literally got bumped by the elbow of the gentleman seated at the table next to me several times. I ordered pad ce eiew (not sure I spelled that right.) The tofu was deliciously prepared! The noodles and the spices were just right as well. The salad and the spring roll were a nice touch, and my Thai ice tea hit the spot as well. I'm a huge fan of Thai food, particuarly this dish, so I know what I am talking about. I think it'd probably be more enjoyable at an off-peak time of day or as take-out.
I ordered the Golden Crispy appetizers ( deep fried ground chicken and shrimp w. thai herbs) and Koong Kra Prow (shrimp basil). The delivery was 20 minutes but the food was worth it. For the spicy eaters, you taste buds will love you. Just enough spice to keep coming back for more. The appetizers were fresh and not drowning in oil. The entree had crunchy peppers and lots of onions just how I like. It was the lunch special so the portion is small if you are a big eater. The four golden crispies with hot oil dipping sauce complimented the meal for that not "too full" when returning back to work.
I'm giving this place four stars because Wondee Siam down the street is getting four and a half stars. This restaurant is superior to Wondee. Don't get me wrong, Wondee is excellent and I'll be writing that review shortly, but Thai Basil is exceptional. It's not your typical loud, crowded Pad-Thai shop. It's got style and subltely, both in its food and decor. My favorite is the duck pad thai, loaded with tons of well cooked sliced duck meat. It's worth the $11 price tag. If you go with more standard fare here you won't be disappointed but is it more expensive than its countless rivals on 9th Ave.
I ordered from this place to cater a 25-person event - it was very good. They serve in large trays, curry on the side, and it's very good for large-scale cooking. Thumbs up.
This little wonder of a Thai restaurant has been wonderful despite its limited seating and at times super crowded atmosphere. The service has been excellent on the phone and in person. Food is decent, Phad Thai, TYG soup is good, and the prices are good. On some nights, if the place is too packed, delivery is the recommended option. Occasionally if the place is empty, its the perfect place for the quiet, intimate date while dining on some very decent Thai.
Tiny little place that you miss if you're not looking for it! The intimacy is great-- only a couple of servers who can see everything, so you never feel lost in the shuffle. The food is really yummy-- somewhat cheaper than some of the other Thai restaurants on 9th Avenue.
I always order the soup made with coconut milk (forget what it's called) and the Pad Thai (a classic) or Pineapple Fried Rice. The portions are perfect and the food is delicious. Totally worth the hunt!
I have been craving Thai food like crazy...especially Pad Thai. I love this place for lunch because the service is good, it's not too busy, ambiance is soothing and the food is great! I am not a huge fan of Thai restaurants that are loud and obnoxious. So this was the perfect place! Thai iced tea was yum.
This is a great hole in the wall place. Bert, the owner, recently (well, a year ago) renovated the place. While the food may not be up to foodie standards (don't know what it is about Thai restaurants and 9 Ave), the food is good. You can bring your own bottle (you can buy one next door if you don't have one). The window table is best especially if it's only the two of you. Great place for a quick, quiet, cheap dinner.
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Neighborhood: Theater District
Just for Yelpers!
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: Theater District
Category: Thai
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Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Theater District
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Living in Hells Kitchen was my decision, but i'll…
