Playground — Restaurant in New York

CASH ONLY!! I don't know if it was the random Thursday night we were out or if 5:30pm is the time for everyone in Jackson Heights to go to get cash, but it was a headache to get cash. Thus, my recommendation is to have cash BEFORE you come to Jackson Heights. There is a Bank of America ATM IN the station near the 74th Street exit and a Chase ATM on 75th Street outside the station. Both lines were long. I first stopped by to check out the wait time at 5:20, and it was pretty empty. I then went to grab cash. By the time my friend and I got cash, it was closer to 6pm, and we snagged the last table in the restaurant.

My friend got a small tom yum soup ($8) and I got massamun curry with chicken ($16). There was a lot of raw cilantro in my friend's soup, and that was not to her taste. For me, the curry was less sweet than I am used to. I asked for mild spiciness, since other reviews mentioned authentic spice levels, and I had no issues with the spice level. The curry just reminded me more of a red curry than a massamun curry. For a place that is cash only, the prices are on the higher side. Since this is a similar price point to the Thai places in Woodside, I would prefer to go to those over this one, since they have larger spaces and are not cash only.

Service here was fantastic! There were so many check-backs, everyone who helped us was extremely welcoming and friendly, and our waters were constantly refilled. They also did not pressure us in any way to leave, and kept offering to refill our water. Overall, the food was still good, so if you have cash and are in the area, it is definitely worth...

Been visiting this restaurant since it opened years ago. Authentic Thai food served in a cozy atmosphere. They are not afraid to up the spice levels of their dishes either.

Things to order: go for their special thai dishes. Their spicy catfish with thai eggplant is very good. The fried catfish takes up the spicy chillisauce very well and the round thai eggplants are also crunchy and give the dish a nice mixed texture.

The Rad Nah, a saucy stir fried flat noodle is also wonderful. Excellent carb dish to chase down the heat from other spicy foods you might order. A good one and done dish for those dining alone.

Their thai papaya said is is crunchy, tangy sweet and sour. They do a good job with the fish sauce seasoning on it.

A dish I also recommend is their braised pork leg over rice dish. It comes with Chinese broccilli, marinated egg and spicy fish sauce on the side. It's a good one plate meal of you are not looking to order too much.

I am also a fan of their chicken wing appetizers. The wings are plump and juicy.

Food is affordable and worth the price of tasteless and authenticity. Note that rice comes separate for most orders. They also cna provide chopsticks if you ask for them.

Service is always nice and the staff are always courteous.

Space is rather limited. If you plan on coming as a group I would recommend to keep it around 4 people. Any more, and it will be tight.

Also check out upstairs. They have a thai hot pot place that is also full of unique thai soup flavor. I believe both establishments are by...

This is my favorite Thai restaurant in NYC hands down. So good that even after taking a 45 minute Lyft and being sat in the odd table in right in front of the entrance on the coldest day in NYC, I still have the audacity to rate in 5 starts.

Playground has a full menu with all the favorites from central and southern Thailand, but you must start with a papaya salad. The flavors of the fresh and spicy salad mimicked those from any cart in Bangkok. I firmly believe the authenticity surpasses even Somtum Der,'s namesake. Beware though, we ordered it "not so spicy" for one of the less adventurous of our group and it was still very spicy.

Anything past that on the menu is a safe bet. Last time I went I shared the Massaman Curry and the Pad Kee Mao, two of my favorite thai dishes and they met my expectations spot on. Unfortunately, the waiter misheard my request for "pretty spicy" for "very spicy" and I almost had to put on a new shirt my night out in Astoria afterward. Still worth it though. Can't be a wimp. Of course the Pad Thai is sweet and peanuty, but you can't be so basic and order that every...