If you’ve ever seen Meet the Parents then you know that Koh Samui is an island off the coast of Thailand. Named after this island oasis, Samui, a new Brooklyn restaurant, dishes out Southeast Asian inspired fare in the midst of Fort Greene. Chef and owner A. Napadol brings a healthier version of Thai to the borough with a less saucy and sugary version of Thai favorites.
The menu, comprised of dishes utilizing locally sourced ingredients, has a number of small plates, soups and salads, noodles, rice dishes, as well as bigger staples. All of the dishes are based on family recipes, infused with some European influences. These influences are not only found in the food, but in the cocktail list, as well. Twists on classics make for an interesting, yet tasty surprise in drinks such as the Ginger Caiprinha (Cachaça, Canton, lime) and the Pickled Pepper Martini (Prairie Vodka, Thai pickles, peppers). The Tumeric Garlic Chicken Wings, served with a sweet chili peanut dip, made for a wonderful appetizer. The juicy chicken, complemented by the crispy skin, was packed with flavor and the sauce brought us right to Thailand. The Curry Puffs also felt like a must-try as they are a staple on Thai menus everywhere, and they were tasty, but if you only opt for one app, go for the wings.
We also had to try their Pad Thai, because no visit to a Thai eatery is complete without these yummy noodles. You can choose between vegetarian, shrimp and chicken and we ended up trying the shrimp pad thai. Unsurprisingly, it was delicious. We’d love to go back and try their drunken noodles next! We also opted for their Salmon Panang Curry, which was one of our favorite dishes of the evening. The sauce was phenomenal and the fish was cooked perfectly. It was almost disappointing eating here because we wanted to try everything on the menu and were unable to. We didn’t have room for dessert, but we definitely have room in our schedule for a return trip soon.
Twisted Talk: What’s your favorite Thai spot in the city? Do you head to Fort Greene often? Discuss below!
