Em Thai
"While the modernist design touches—vinelike wall sculptures, Lucite lamps and resin chairs—are cool, they’re also cold. Ambience aside, the prodigiously portioned and surprisingly light dishes win you over," says Time Out New York. They serve all the standards — pad Thai, spicy basil noodles, pad see ew, and panang curry — but Em's got some specialties, too. Eat It: The Brooklyn Food Blog recommends starting with the curry puffs: "The outside is a crisp, doughy container for the delicious curry with ground chicken, peas and potatoes. It comes with the classic Cucumber Chutney Sauce that's a perfect light accompaniment." For a main course, A Brooklyn Life says that "the Duck Thai Herbal ($14) had a complex flavor that tasted most heavily of lemongrass, though it was a tad salty."
MenuPages user ncarbide raves about the service: "One night, when my girlfriend was too ill to come with me to pick up our order, the women behind the counter insisted that I bring her a 'special' soup, which they made just for her and guaranteed that it would make her feel better at no extra charge." While Em Thai isn't a destination restaurant, its friendly staff, happy hour deal, and speedy delivery make it one of our go-to spots for cheap eats. What's your take on this place?
Reviews (11)
NsPx wrote a review on September 26, 2008 1:30 PM
Delicious food (try the em roti pancake thing) and really lovely service.
chrishavens wrote a review on September 26, 2008 1:43 PM
Friendly place, a little noisy but my daughter likes it.
Good food, good neighborhood Thai.
frestylemr wrote a review on September 26, 2008 1:55 PM
Why try it when Joya which is cheaper, cooler, better, and more established? And its just a few blocks away on Court?
martis wrote a review on September 26, 2008 2:02 PM
ate there last night. love the laarb salad. duck dishes are always good.
martis wrote a review on September 26, 2008 2:03 PM
more established? what does that mean?
ilikeslices wrote a review on September 26, 2008 2:14 PM
Em is way better than Joya. The curry puffs are fantastic at EM. Joya has gristly chicken.
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on September 26, 2008 2:14 PM
Joya- more established.
Established itself as being the neighborhood's best Thai for the 1st year it was open and now slumping to the worst?
Or established as being inconsistent, sometimes mediocre, and occasionally inedible?
Established how?
I'm sorry. Joya blows.
fassglass wrote a review on September 26, 2008 5:42 PM
I'm literally wary of writing about this place, because I don't want to ruin a good thing. Em is essentially just as good -- maybe better, maybe not quite as good, it depends on your taste -- as Joya, though it is far easier to get a table and probably a little cheaper. Their menu is far more interesting and diverse. Their delivery is insanely good, usually getting it to our door in under 20 minutes. (Try that with Joya, where it's hard to even get them on the phone.) Are you 24 and on a date? Then go to Joya. Everyone else should go here. It only gets three stars for food and ambience because, hey, as good as it is, it's still just cheap Thai food.
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on September 26, 2008 7:22 PM
fassglass-
"I'm literally wary of writing about this place, because I don't want to ruin a good thing. Em is essentially just as good -- maybe better, maybe not quite as good, it depends on your taste -- as Joya, "
As good? No, its FAR superior. However...Joya IS cheaper. You get what you pay for. Mediocre Thai.
Em is quite good but surprised no ones mentioned the -true- Thai in the hood.....keeping a secret.
nicksull wrote a review on September 28, 2008 8:35 AM
Not eaten there but generally hear good things about the place. I wonder if they might consider cleaning the pidgeon shit of the awning someday. Its not terribly attractive...
JIDYT wrote a review on September 28, 2008 5:27 PM
EM is WAAAAAY better than Joya. The spicy noodle, panang curry, mango salad and roti pancake are all really good, but the secret star of the menu is the Duck Basil. really delicious.
also, Em once delivered to my house in 6 minutes.
6 minutes.
Essential Info
Em Thai
- Address:
- 278 Smith Street
- Phone:
- (718) 834-0505
- Nabe:
- Carroll Gardens
- Cuisine:
- Thai
- Median Entree:
- $10
Top Overall Restaurants This Month
-
The Chocolate Room
added November 11, 2008 12:01 PMThe Chocolate Room was recently named the 2009 Best Dessert Cafe in New York by Zagat. Chowhound shivohum belives...Read More »
- The Farm on Adderley added November 24, 2008 12:00 PM
- Pomme de Terre added November 19, 2008 12:01 PM
- Tempo added November 12, 2008 11:57 AM
- Baked added November 5, 2008 11:59 AM
Post a Review and Rating
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.