Food: ☆☆☆ ½

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$$

I recommend: stir fried mussels with chili jam and crispy shallots, seared duck breast in a soy broth, flourless valrhona chocolate cake

 

 

The seductive setting of Kittichai allures pretty people to nosh on plates of upscale, trendy, Thai food. This sexy restaurant is the creation of Robin Leigh, Michael Callahan, Jean-Marc Houmard and Huy Chi Le, who come from the legacy of restaurants such as Indochine, BondSt and Republic.

The setting is lovely. The interesting play on orchids throughout the restaurant is really eye catching. In the middle of the main dinning room, there is a stunning, seamless reflecting pool with suspended orchids and soft floating candles.

The food at Kittichai is surprisingly good. The menu offers chic plates that combine interesting elements of Thai cuisine to match the stylish digs.

Kittichai is a welcome addition the New York scene. It’s a perfect place for “pretty” – which defines its people, the place and the food.

 

Here is some of what we ate:

 

APPETIZERS

Roasted Japanese eggplant, bell pepper and pickled ginger salad

Stir fried mussels with chili jam and crispy shallots

Seared duck breast in a soy broth with Asian celery and young coconut

Pulled chicken and coconut salad

Baby back ribs, Mekhong whiskey barbeque sauce

Crispy taro root croquettes, sweet-spicy dipping sauce

ENTREES

Poached chicken breast, limejuice, yellow bean dressing with braised jasmine rice

Chili-smoked hanger steak in spiced green curry with roti

Seared prawns and wilted spinach with a citrus red curry

DESSERTS

Flourless valrhona chocolate cake with fresh cream

Coconut creme caramel with coconut twill

Banana spring rolls with burnt honey ice cream