Fish Cheeks New York

I try Thai everywhere I travel. Believe me when I say that the meal at Fish Cheeks is incredible. Everything from the hospitality to the execution of each dish was excellent. We made reservations about a week in advance of our trip to New York. We were seated immediately and given some recommendations on how to order from the menu. A few recommendations from the Kin Len (small dishes/appetizers) and a few more from the entrees. I wish they’d made some recommendations from the sides because the greens we ordered were incredible and a bit hidden in their online menu. We ordered the morning glory (water spinach), steamed fish (branzino in cilantro and lime), crab fried rice, and chicken wings. We also got complimentary shrimp chips and the Thai tea. The morning glory was familiar, with all the flavors we’d expect. The steamed fish was succulent and surprisingly deboned. The crab fried rice was full of lumps of crab and umami taste without too much salt. The wings, dry fried with a zest seasoning reminded me of my travels in Thailand with fall of the bone lean meat. Only 2 things could have been better. I know that digital menus are the new norm, but ordering off of a mobile menu in a dim lit restaurant is tough, especially with an extensive menu that is split up between tabs. Secondly, the steamed fish came with a burner for the steam tray, but fuel was letting off an offensive fume that became frustrating after some time.

I’ve heard tons of great things about Fish Cheeks and it absolutely lived up to its hype. We decided to indulge in a variety of dishes, and each one was a culinary adventure in itself. • Zabb Wings caught our attention. Fried chicken with chili lime and fried makrut lime leaf? It was a flavor combination unlike anything I've ever tasted before. The wings were generously sized, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Typically as you will get them in the streets of Bangkok. • Crab Fried Rice and we were not disappointed. The abundance of crab meat in every bite was impressive, and the nam jim and pork nam pla sauce added an extra layer of deliciousness. • Steamed Fish and Thai Herbs; a whole branzino in chili lime cilantro broth, was an absolute delight. Placing the fish on top of the rice elevated the flavors to another level. We opted to sit at the bar, which offered fast service and ample space for our array of dishes. Waiting was a little too much and we were quite hungry. Unlike some cramped bars, this one had plenty of room to enjoy our meal comfortably. The Thai tea was a standout, tasting authentic and perfectly complementing the meal. The ambiance was just right for a social evening, with low lighting adding to the cozy atmosphere. All in all, Fish Cheeks proved to be not just a dining experience, but a memorable culinary journey. Highly Recommended!

This place didn’t disappoint! Curry was spicy, creamy, coconuty and heat warming. Chicken wings and grilled chicken made me do a happy dance! Completely different flavors, both unique and delicious. Mussels were good too, but didn’t blow my mind. Atmosphere is fun and cool. Absolutely must try place! - side note: loved that waiters/bartenders we’re eating alongside customers at the bar and were served food from the menu!