Baht formerly Arunee Thai — Restaurant in New York

YOU WILL NOT REGRET DINING HERE--on a brisk but clear-skied autumn afternoon, I and a few friends walked into Baht seeking bathrooms, quick libations, and outlets. When we exited, street and other miscellaneous city lights illuminated the jet black night, a glacial wind blasted through the streets, and I don't think any of us cared at all.

I particularly entered Baht already full from lunch, and upon setting my eyes on the menu, I regretted having a full stomach. I searched within the depths of my stomach, and more pertinently searched within the depths of my Bank of America mobile banking app, and sadly settled for a drink and glass of water.

Throughout our time at the bar, some small, unconscious, highly dramatic part of me lamented that I'd have to settle for marking this place on my Maps app and returning to eat next time I can get to the city. And most fortunately, unbeknownst to me, the kind-voiced bartender (gliding swiftly through the establishment as if the floor was solid ice and he an Olympic skater) was determined to ensure we would not have to settle that night.

First came the Ku Chai Tod, which he very hospitably dropped after my friends and I interrogated him, a bit puzzled about how such a clean and aesthetically delightful place could have open tables on a weekend night. Discovering extra space in our stomachs, we devoured these crackly, crispy chive dumplings and our bewilderment only grew.

My eyes ever darting back to the menu, the bartender disclosed to us more about Baht--originally a family restaurant (Arunee Thai) cultivated by his wife's first-generation parents. His hospitality was brimming--not in the cloying, transactional sense you'd find from the owner of some uppity $40/entree place searching for a Michelin star (and your wallet's approval)--in the way that your lovely grandmother would always meet your gaze after a period of separation, smile on her face and with an irresistible smell wafting from her kitchen. After serving the community for decades, it came time to hand the torch to the next generation, and over the past few years, they conceived and executed Baht.

On the sixth day of my trip, my wallet suffocating in my back pocket and gasping for mercy, I--like a tyrant unrelenting--showed absolutely none: "Could I actually get one order of the larb fries?" The bartender--now known to me as half of this graceful husband-and-wife duo who I'd watched skate throughout Baht all night, taking care of every single customer--disappeared into the back of house.

Heidegger has a lesser known essay (Building, Dwelling, Thinking) on what it means to dwell in a place, versus merely existing in it. I definitely felt like I dwelled the night I spent at Baht; in a city often lacking attentiveness and breeding ironic feelings of social alienation, I found a respite from all of that in Baht. All of this seems plainly obvious and logical now knowing that at its core, Baht is a family-owned restaurant. But I've not walked into many places in NYC and felt like I was at home, and usually the other places in the city where I feel like this are other friends' apartments. The owners of Baht are so aggressively hospitable and kind, in a way that will make you feel like you're a special customer, until you pivot your head around and starkly realize that you are, in fact, not special at all. And I think what I've realized now weeks removed from my trip is that when you dine at Baht, you are genuinely family.

The larb fries dropped on the counter, and they suspiciously looked like chicken wings instead of potatoes. A true Sherlock Holmes, my hypothesis was confirmed when the bartender came out a minute later with larb fries and apologetically said he dropped the larb wings in the fryer initially. No mistakes, only happy accidents, right? After a couple bites, I almost cancelled my night's plans right then and there; I'd say I was about one chicken satay away from voiding all my social contracts. Next time I'm in the city, this will be...

I have been coming to this place for many years and i loved the food it was amazing, i loved the service and atmosphere.. however they were closed due to remodeling. Today, I went for the first time and found out that they changed the personnel. It was the beginning of my disappointment...I went at 8:40pm and waited and nobody asked me anything, the bartender was busy chatting with someone and after waited for a while an employee approach me and I told him what I wanted and he replied they kitchen is already close...it closes at 9pm, even though it wasn't 9pm yet...unfortunately, when some business decides to hire people from other nationalities, it can ruin their reputation.They need to learn that they are there to provide a service and their arrogant attitude is not good for businesses. I also noticed their menu is not the same, there are fewer items available. My favorite dish was the Basil fried rice with chicken...

This is my first time ever trying Thai food and I really enjoyed it. My friend invited me because this spot opened up recently in the neighborhood. An innovative and interesting take on what they call "New-Thai". They definitely knocked it out of the park. I highly recommend the Pla Tod - a whole red snapper (which is already deboned and filleted) topped off with this yummy Mango Salad and Thai dressing. We also had the shumai, which is their take on a Thai dumpling. And the calamari which was paired with a pink sauce. Writing this makes my mouth water because I am still thinking about that pink sauce!! And can I say - their cocktails!?! It was 90 degrees on a Saturday my girlfriend and I went in around 1pm and they had a weekend early happy hour special !!! The cocktails were so delightful and refreshing. And their dessert....the list goes on and on. Such a great place, will definitely...