SIMILAN ON THE BAY — Restaurant in New York

EASY 12/10. This place was delicious!! Let me preface by saying we eat out constantly and are huge travelers and foodies, so I know what I’m talking about. The cocktails were perfectly balanced: not too strong and not too sweet. We tried the passion fruit mojito as well as the harbor cocktails. The passion fruit lemonade (no alcohol) was also yummy, despite us normally finding lemonade to be too sweet. The staff were so sweet and so attentive, always ready with more water and extra napkins. Even though it was just a soft opening menu, there was something for everyone. For appetizers, we ordered the cucumber salad, papaya salad, and the chive pancakes. The papaya was nutty, fresh, and a bit spicy while the cucumber was more savory and vinegary. For entrees, we shared a bit of everything. The tom yum soup was spicy, sour, creamy, and savory all in one (a massive portion size). The duck curry had gorgeous presentation, a spicy thick curry, and a perfectly crispy half duck. The crab fried rice was initially a little bit bland, with huge chucks of crab, but came with two sauces on the side that made it some of the best fried rice I’ve ever had. The pad see ew was savory with perfectly cooked noodles and chicken. Don’t even get me started on the branzino!! The presentation was beautiful and the fish was insane. It came on a fish shaped plate over a small fire to keep it warm while we took our time eating. Finally, all staff (bartenders, waiters, chefs, hosts, etc.) were so welcoming and grateful. Similan is a new staple on our...

We had a reservation for 7 PM and placed our order at 7:10. Unfortunately, the service was extremely slow. Our appetizers (beef skewers and dumplings) didn’t arrive until about 35–40 minutes later, and the entrées followed just 10 minutes after that.

The food itself was very disappointing. The entrées lacked flavor and spice, and the seafood was not properly cleaned—it smelled unpleasant and was completely inedible. To make matters worse, a family member ended up with food poisoning afterward.

The service was equally poor. Our server was rude and, instead of acknowledging the birthday we had noted in the reservation, simply shoved the bill at us without offering dessert. When we raised this with management, they dismissed it as a “system glitch” and had no response when I asked why desserts aren’t offered regardless.

The only positive aspect was the drinks, which were good. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to make up for the long waits, overcrowded atmosphere, bland and unsafe food, and unprofessional service.

Overall: I would not return and do not recommend...

I had a fantastic dining experience at Similan on the Bay in Rockaway Beach. This spot offers a wide variety of Thai seafood dishes that truly impressed me. The standout for me was the whole fried fish Pla Lui Suan—perfectly crispy on the outside and full of flavor inside. The Mangosteen Salad was another must-try, refreshing and unique.

I also tried several other dishes, including the Crab Fried Rice, Crying Tiger beef, Tom Yum Hotpot, and Grilled Squid—and none of them disappointed. Everything was well-seasoned, fresh, and beautifully presented.

Another plus is their full bar, so you can enjoy cocktails or mocktails while taking in the gorgeous bay view. The atmosphere is one of the best parts—being able to see the water and the bridge makes the meal feel extra special, and at night the view becomes absolutely stunning.

Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for authentic Thai flavors with a scenic,...