September in Bangkok — Restaurant in New Haven

On a corner where restaurants have withered like forgotten herbs, September in Bangkok blooms with the kind of authentic Thai fire that makes you forget you're in New Haven. Chef Winyu "Win" Seetamyae has transformed this cursed 754 State Street address—most recently home to the short-lived Dashi—into something that feels both inevitable and miraculous.

Seetamyae's journey from his family's restaurant in northeastern Thailand to 16 years in New York kitchens reads like immigrant restaurant gospel, but his execution transcends the familiar narrative. Inside, rich golds and creams create what one diner aptly called "a modern take on Great Gatsby," while the sprawling patio resembles a Thai street food festival filtered through New England sensibilities—colorful umbrellas, string lights, and an energy that transforms dinner into celebration.

The menu reflects Seetamyae's northeastern roots, where chilies aren't mere garnish but essential architecture. His promise—"My chili is real Thai chili"—isn't bravado but biography, rooted in the borderlands where Thailand meets Laos. The eggplant pad Thai, an unlikely combination that somehow surpasses versions found in Bangkok itself, demonstrates his gift for making tradition feel revelatory. Coconut shrimp arrives with sauce so light and sweet it seems to float, while the Gra-Pow Kai Dow delivers minced pork with the kind of complexity that speaks to technique refined over decades.

Then there's the blue rice—a mysterious signature that initially puzzled diners but now feels like Seetamyae's quiet rebellion against expectation. Tinted azure and served alongside vibrant curries, it's his way of making authentic Thai food "sexier," as he puts it, without sacrificing soul.

Service moves at Bangkok street-vendor pace—efficient, almost urgent—though the warmth never wavers. The wine list surprises, and cocktails match the kitchen's commitment to bold flavors. Prices remain shockingly reasonable; a family feast rarely exceeds $25 per person.

What's most remarkable is how Seetamyae has solved the puzzle of this particular corner. Previous restaurateurs treated the space like a problem to overcome; he embraced it as an opportunity to create something distinctly his own. The result is a restaurant that serves Yale students and professors alongside longtime New Haveners, where serious Thai cuisine coexists with the kind of patio party energy that makes you want to order another round.

September in Bangkok succeeds because Seetamyae understands that authenticity isn't about rigid adherence to tradition—it's about honoring the spirit of home while embracing the possibilities of place. In a city where good Thai food was surprisingly scarce, he's created something essential: a restaurant that feels both deeply rooted and thrillingly alive. Connecticut Magazine recognized it as an experts' pick for good reason—this is Thai cooking that doesn't pander or apologize, delivered in a setting that makes every meal feel like a small festival.

The corner that once seemed cursed now anchors State Street with the confidence of a restaurant that knows exactly what it is: serious food served with...

September and bangkok? Well I can say that I went here in April and I would say that it was more like Christmas time in my tummy!

I came here with a friend on my first visit to New Haven and I found most of the experience to be quite pleasant. The restaurant is obviously quite popular so there was a bit of a wait and the Mater d did tease us getting a table once which was tantalizing to say the least during this month of Ramadan but when we were eventually seated I found the interior of the restaurant to be quiet sleek I'll do it with some odd pandemic related design choices such as hanging transparent barriers in between tables which my dining companion feared could pose a hazard if you were to walk into them. This did not bother me but I did find it to be quaint and a bit silly. They were fresh flowers around the restaurant which I found to be a nice touch. I didn't like the light bulbs and some of the light fixtures as they seemed very gauche. None of that really matters at all though.

The water was particularly good and had cucumber and lemon in it which added a nice subtle hint of flavor when I was eventually able to break my fast. The next drink I had was a iced tea which I found slightly too sweet but its composition was quite aesthetically pleasing and I found the addition of whipped cream on top to be a unique and welcome adornment which I have not seen other Thai restaurants do before.

I chose one of the specials, the pineapple fried rice with salmon, and it was absolutely delectable. Its presentation was exquisite and quite tropical, as it was served in a carved out pineapple with a small umbrella with the salmon perched on top of it. My counterpart got an eggplant curry of some kind and it came with blue rice which I thought was pretty cool to look at and reminded me of the blue milk featured in many of the Star wars films.

All together I found this to be a very enjoyable meal and I was quite happy that I chose to come here to break my fast and enjoy some...

AWFUL WAIT AND SERVICE, WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!!

It was about 8pm on a Tuesday when my friend and I got seated. We got poured waters after 10 minutes of sitting at the table with nothing. 10 minutes AFTER that, a server finally came up to us and asked “are you ready to order?” No introduction no ‘how are you’ or anything. This was the only time she visited us. We would specify, but were not even informed of her name! She was blonde. That’s all we know. We put in our drink orders along with our apps and dinners, where my friend said “I just want some noodles, even if it’s a side that’s fine.” It took a full 45 minutes before we received our drinks. Then our apps and food came out right after. At the 45 minute mark we were gathering our stuff to leave, but our drinks were dropped at the same time and unfortunately decided to give it a chance. My friend asked about the possibility of substituting noodles for rice in a meal which our server said was okay when she visited us for the one time she was there. She was willing to pay for the side in addition but she was under the impression it would be subbed. At the end when we were paying our bill, my friend ended up having to pay extra for the noodles because the ‘system wouldn’t allow’ her to swap it out. There were grains of rice on my friends dish, indicating that she was almost served the rice (included in the price of the dish) as well as the noodles. If she is going to pay for a full dish, plus a side, she might as well have been communicated to that she would be paying the same, and given the rice that was included with the meal. In conclusion we waited 40 minutes after being seated with water before we were served and had to pay extra at the end of the night with not one apology. We are both servers and bartenders and are the last people to complain, but this was ridiculous. The servers continued to walk by us nonchalantly without checking on us. Waiting 45 minutes to receive drinks is...