Newsflash: Ugly Baby is back on its bullshit. Ugly Baby's conceit, if you can call it that, was that it was really, really spicy. Spicy food, in case you didn't know, connotes authenticity. Call it suffering for beauty, in a culinary wrapper. Ugly Baby took this S&M theater to its logical conclusion in all regards: tuck it in an inaccessible corner of South Brooklyn; use tiny chairs and brusquely inform diners they have an hour start to finish at their table. The more inconvenient it was, the better. I held my applause after my single visit to Ugly Baby, which closed amidst wails and lamentation last year from people who liked rough treatment. But something drew me back to this reincarnation, started by the same people. Maybe, I thought, they'd found a way to bring us that magnetic authenticity, and hold the ball gags and chain flails? The answer is no. I should have known from the name alone: another mysterious two-word phrase (both of whose words again end in -y) that sounds like it could be an overly literal translation of some ineffable Thai concept. I should have known when it opened in the same godforsaken corner of ... what is that? Gowanus? I should have known from the protracted negotiations for a suitable table that followed when my husband, mom and I arrived punctually for our 5:30 reservation and were primly informed we'd be squeezing onto a two top, then were refused an obviously empty three-top ("it's reserved"....oh you mean by a party of three with a reservation like us?), and then grudgingly seated at a four-top, half of which was literally in the kitchen. I should have known after being apprised that "you have one hour at the table." I should have known when there were no appetizers or desserts, and only two vegetarian entrees. This is the same thing as before. We're so back, baby. The mushroom curry, with its single fire emoj, was nowhere near the spiciest thing on the menu, but gosh was it still spicy. How do they make food with such complex flavors that's still hot enough to have emanated from the bowels of hell? It has to be one of the best curries I've had. It's a talent, special even, but it could easily coexist without Hungry Thirsty's other downsides. But I think all those inconveniences and discomforts are the point. They serve to reinforce the specialness of the special parts, counterintuitively increasing your mental investment in internally extolling Hungry Thirsty's virtues. They are to each element what spice is to food: it hurts, and you're proud that it hurts. It all adds up to the second coming of Ugly Baby, and why wouldn't it? Enough people liked being slapped around; maybe they felt like they deserved it. You know if that's you or not. read more

Definitely need to make a reservation if you're planning to go as it's very busy. Tables are very close together and a bit small so if you order a lot of food, there may not be enough space. The best item we got was the beef curry, however some pieces were tender while others had more of a chew. With all the Thai spots in the city, this didn't really stand out to me read more

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I was so devastated when Ugly Baby closed - my fav spicy Thai restaurant in NYC. However, I am so happy to report this new version run by former employees is also very spicy and delicious. I have so many wonderful memories of incredible meals at Ugly Baby and magically building up layers of different kinds of spiciness with each dish. When you can't imagine handling more spicy you do because it's a different kind of spicy - perfection! I remember they sometimes served pomelo between dishes to cleanse your pallet. The new restaurant seems to have more of a range of non spicy to spicy, as indicated by flame levels on the menu. This was handy in self directing our own spicy journey once our food arrived. I loved everything we ordered especially the ribs, tender pork, big bowl of spicy beef with skinny noodles, also the lemongrass flavored noodles with spicy shrimp and lots of herbs. The servers were excellent and super knowledgeable of the menu in recommending dishes, amount of food and spiciness levels. Starting lowest to medium to spicy and spiciest and cooling off with the non spicy or less spicy dishes worked really well for me. They don't have cocktails but do have a wide range of beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. The Thai ice tea slushies were incredible! Ours were served in vintage Care Bear and Garfield mugs that kept our drinks cold all through dinner! The only thing is that the tables are tight. We fit 5 of us by the front window and could have maybe squeezed a 6th person but it's a small space all in all. There were also a few outdoor tables. I love the feeling you get from the spiciness when you start to sweat from the heat- there's nothing like it. I'm so thrilled Hungry Thirsty is carrying the torch forward in their own spicy way and with familiar flavors. I'm already looking forward to going back, and eating our leftovers! Yum!! read more

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Really great spot if you love spicy (like really spicy)! That said, my party found the spicy ratings to be a little mixed up. Spicy branzino wasn't too spicy at all and fish was cooked perfectly. We loved this one. Khoong Muk Kai Kem was one of my favorites, a little spicy but full of great flavor. There is a noodle dish (Tum Khao-pon?) that was too spicy for some of us but a little deceptive because at first bite it was sweet and limey, and the spice kicked in like a whole minute or two later. TLDR; pace yourself here if you aren't sure about your spice tolerance. read more

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This place gets packed around 7pm. I suggest reservations but walk ins are fine. It is a 3min walk from the F train stop. The decoration is pretty nice. I like the room before the bathroom. The service here is really good. They come fill your water up every few minutes. This is a good place if you enjoy spicy thai food. The food here was pretty delicious. Id give it an 8/10. read more

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The place is very tight but the food is delicious. The pork was extremely spicy. Not for the weak. Branzino well seasoned and crispy. Everything was delicious. read more

Hungry Thirsty - Branzino, super spicy pork, etc - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Welcome to flavortown! I was sipping and slurping up everything. They don't play about spice levels here! My favorite dish is the Khoong Muk Kai Kem--soo bold. The sauce pairs so well with rice. The seafood is great quality as well. Very plump shrimps. We got the mango sticky rice which is only available on Mondays, by the way. Loved the crispy rice toppings. Nice dessert. Very cute character mugs available exclusively for the Frozen Thai Tea as well!! Extremely hospitable and friendly service too. I will say I was kind of surprised by the steep menu prices, but I do think that is standard for the neighborhood. read more

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Decent food, quick service, and casual colorful interior and serveware. Not convinced it's worth the hype. Also they time limit you to 1h15min for larger groups which makes the experience a bit rushed. Panang curry was disappointing. The meat was tough and chewy, not fall-apart tender as I was expecting. The fried branzino (pla tod nam pla) was dry, and the sauce helped jazz it up with some flavor but I would not reorder. The pork belly (moo waan) was one of the better tasting dishes; it reminded me a lot of char siu pork. Shrimp squid stir fry (khoong muk kai kem) was also decent - definitely salty from the egg yolk. Cool to try once, probably won't be back. read more

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Really one of the best thai places ive ever had! DO BE WARNED - THE SPICY IS REALLY SPICY. We even chose a dish that had the lowest spice level and I could not handle it The flavors though were incredible - I've never even been to thailand but somehow when you eat here you just know this is what authentic thai food is supposed to taste like Made a trek to come out here and have to say it was worth it read more

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Some of the best Thai food I've ever had, truly authentic in both flavor and presentation. I love that you can't change the spice levels; you get to enjoy each dish exactly as it was intended. And the Thai tea slush? Absolutely incredible. It's the perfect cool, creamy balance to all that delicious heat. I can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu! read more

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yoooooooooo!!! this place lives up to the hype! it was honestly some of the best thai food i've had in the city and they are not shy with SPICE. let's just say you'll feel it the next day but it's worth it. - pla tod nam pla - khoong muk kai kem - kang ped nuer read more

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My partner and I really enjoyed the food at Ugly Baby so we were excited to hear of the opening of Hungry Thirsty. We were lucky enough to be able to secure a same day reservation (I have a feeling this will be harder as word gets out). Upon walking in, we were greeted by friendly faces and a familiar interior, most notably, all the bright colors! We opted to order the caramelized pork, the squid and shrimp in salted egg yolk, and the spicy short rib, along with a couple of beers to help abate the spice. We both agreed that the Moo Waan (caramelized pork) was sneakily our favorite dish though the Khoong Muk Kai Kem was a very close second as the seafood was very flavorful and the accompanying sauce was delicious with a bit of heat. The short rib dish was also good, but I didn't like the spice blend as much (entirely personal preference, objectively this was still a solid dish). It was described as brutally spicy, and while it was spicy (the heat builds nicely), I expected a bit more spice. Service was super friendly and helpful, and our dishes came out quickly while still fresh. I'm looking forward to coming back! read more

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Somehow, the sequel to Ugly Baby is even better! The team at Hungry Thirsty really put together something special -- amazing food, drinks, and great service. Plus they also take reservations! The food was amazing, we opted for a shrimp and squid dish that was the highlight of the meal. Perfect spice, and full of savory flavors. The pork dish was an insane amount of meat, and it came with a delicious sour soup that hit the spot. The fish was also excellent, albeit less flavorful than the other two dishes. They have a great beer list and some nice wines and cocktails available. And service was fantastic, they'll help you navigate the menu and they are very attentive. This is a must try restaurant in NYC! read more

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The workers of Ugly Baby, the prior restaurant in this space, got together to reopen and it didn't disappoint. Warning that their food is spicy, do not take the emojis on the menu lightly. My friends and I enjoy spice so we enjoyed our meal but it was spicy even for us. We came in on a weekday with previously made reservations so we got seated immediately. As it just rained, it was still a little muggy outside and warm inside. I do wish they turned up the AC a little more as I was sweating from the weather and also eating the spicy food. Staff knows the menu. Ask them for their favorites or recommendations, and they won't steer you wrong. Honestly, I think all their food is great. For a group of 3, we ordered two chef's special items - Tiew Rua Nuer (boat noodles) and Chu Chee Kai Pu (crab curry). Both were delicious but I loved the crab curry. I brought the leftovers home so the sauce sat soaking in the rice and somehow got more spicy and delicious. The boat noodles were less spicy (more controllable as they had the peppers on the side and you can mix it in if you want) but just as good. Additionally, while not on the menu, they had thai tea slushies available for ordering (which came in very cute mugs), which I highly recommend especially if you're ordering the spicy items. I can't wait to come back to try more of the menu items. read more

Yummy but very spicy! Beware of your own tolerance level but definitely worth a visit! They are already on the @michelinguide soon after the restaurant opening. read more

Hungry Thirsty - Khoong muk kai kem - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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LIFE CHANGING THAI FOOD!!! Running back here whenever my mom or aunts r in town next. Sooooo legit spicy and flavorful. I highly rec the stir fried squid shrimp cabbage dish w. Duck yolk and the crispy fish mango salad (super spicy), both such unique and incredible tastes. We were lucky enough to b there on a monday and have some mango sticky rice as well read more

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Even though I only went to Ugly Baby once, it left a lasting impression (taste and spice wise), so I was excited to hear that alums opened a new spot. So glad they take reservations, but beware they are closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays The dishes still pack a punch and we only ventured into the 2 chili pepper sign menu items, but it seemed more manageable than Ugly Baby's levels. -Nam Ngiao: chiang mai spicy noodles come in a huuge bowl with meat, chicharron, veggies and round rice noodles. This wasn't a favorite of mine, probably wouldnt get it again. Had a good kick to it - Shrimp, squid and salted egg yolk: really liked this dish! yummy flavors with a wok char to it - Panang: beef shank & panang curry with dry beef :/ i liked the curry, but the pieces of beef weren't very tender - Fried branzino: another fave! crispy skin and flaky fish I would come back to try some other dishes, but would pass on the beef and noodle ones I'd also maybe skip coming on a hot day because it was quite warm inside (door/windows were open, no AC) which just makes you hotter with the spicy food! read more

Delicious and authentic Thai food. If you don't tolerate spice, remember to check with the waiter what options you have. read more

Hungry Thirsty - Shrimp and Squid - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The restaurant is in the same location as Ugly Baby, same decor and setup. The service was fast and we were able to get seated without reservation on early Friday evening. The food is as excellent as it was at Ugly Baby. Creative, unique dishes, full of flavor, and spice. There are some new dishes and it seems there is more balance with more dishes that are reasonably spicy rather than super spicy. read more

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Side notes: This place is rather tiny. I think it fits maybe 20-25 people at the most and reservations are for only an hour probably do their popularity so get there on time and enjoy. They also don't change their spice levels. Also free rice and veggies (possibly came with the curries?) which was welcome. Having been to Ugly Baby in the past a good long time ago, I was looking forward to my meal here partially as this space already has a lot of buzz and partially because I'm a big fan of spicy Thai food. The place is already very popular (see the hour long reservation above) and I can see why already. Otherwise for the ambience, the music is very light and it's not super loud even though it was packed with the loudest sounds being probably from the fiery wok in the back. The decorations are sparse and as noted, it's a bit of a hole in the wall. The staff was friendly going over and making sure regarding food allergies and everything else and giving beer recommendations to someone who asked. The food is excellent and then some showcasing a lot of dishes from primarily southern Thailand though there is also some northern and central grub. They also provide rice for free though you can also pay $6 for riceberry if you're so inclined and also give some vegetables (sliced cucumber/cabbage/beans) which reminded me pretty heavily of Thailand. A note goes to their excellent beer selection which was similar to their old spot though a lot of the beers are very expensive ranging from $10 to I believe around $30 to $40 (for large format bottles) though it is nice that they have a lot of local beers. I personally had a Stillwater Insetto which was a sour ale made with Italian plums for $12 which definitely helped with the spice level. We shared the following five dishes among four people and left spending around $50 a person which is obviously a lot but my group is prone to over ordering and we definitely could have had one less dish with two of us getting leftovers. First arriving was the Pla Tod Nam Pla or fried branzino with marinated fish sauce for $38. The very large branzino was as expected covered with garlic and was flaky and delicious being perfectly fried. Said nam jim on the side added a bit of freshness and sourness to the dish. I think this dish could feed two people and could make a meal if you order perhaps a side dish along with it. Another fish focused dish and the unexpected highlight was the Yum Pla Ka Pong or preserved sardines salad for $22. This has one fire symbol and definitely packed a little bit of a punch. The sardines had a nice texture and went well with the sour, sweet, herby, and spicy mixture. This was perfect over rice and went well with every one of the other dishes and I would recommend it pretty heavily as long as you're okay with a bit of fishiness. The last fish/seafood dish was the Jai Jeow Khoong Sub for $25 or shrimp omelette which was my least favorite dish. The omelette had a better texture than other Thai spots though I would say it was lacking a bit more in flavor compared to most of the dishes. The shrimp wasn't exactly that present in there even though I saw pieces inside and I prefer it though more expensive with crab as you can taste that a lot better. This has never been my favorite Thai dish so I wasn't expecting it to be my favorite anyway. I would say the very pungent fish sauce on the table helped with the flavor along with the sardines. This was the only miss of the night but the portion size was decent. The Kua Kling for $38 or short ribs and southern curry paste, was probably the best version I've had in the city at least in any recent memory. This dish is more traditionally prepared with shredded pork but I think the short ribs worked quite well here. The fattiness of the pork mixed well with the dry curry along with the mix of chili, mushrooms, and pieces of turmeric surprisingly which almost had a burdock texture. The other main flavor along with the fatty pork was the makrut lime in the dish which balanced out the heavy spices. In terms of heat level, there's spicier Thai dishes but it definitely had a very nice kick. The last dish of the night was simply listed as Panang/Phanaeng for $27 and in this case, said curry came with beef shank. The beef, consisting of many sliced up pieces, was extremely tender with a good mixture of fat and meat. The curry had a bit of sweetness from coconut, a bit of spiciness, and a hint of sourness, and was good. It wasn't my favorite of said curry type but was still very tasty and if someone is looking for a main dish that isn't too spicy but with a bit of a kick, I would recommend this one. The closest place I can think of being this bold in flavors is Hug Esan in Elmhurst which is a very good thing and I'm already looking forward to going back here to have more of the kua kling and maybe try their family style pork leg dish. Upper 4. read more

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Loved this follow up to Ugly Baby...in our experience, the sequel FAR exceeded our experience at the original. At UB, we felt like the sport of watching people suffer from an excess of heat and spice was part of the fun. It made it difficult to even taste anything. But at Hungry Thirsty? The point is to savor, and savor we did. The menu isn't huge but when you want EVERYTHING on it, it can be hard to choose. Our waitress was delightful and I only wish we'd stuck too all of her recommendations. We particularly loved the mushroom curry and the seafood salted duck egg yolk. The latter had a sauce that I wished I could slurp from my plate, it was so delicious. Nice array of beer and ciders...lots to choose from there. Be prepared NOT to linger. The place is tiny and they want you to eat and MOVE ON. They very much hurry you outta here, so be a good diner and find a place to after party cause that extended conversation about that dream you had last night WILL NOT BE TOLERATED here. You are here to eat, drink and when those are sated, it will be abundantly clear that you have exactly 30 seconds to pay the check and run out the door. We will definitely return - it was delicious, and service was friendly AND fast! read more

Staff here are very friendly and if you have any questions, they'll happily answer. We went with the new seasonal menu offerings (recommended by our waiter) and they did not disappoint! The crab curry is by far the best thai crab curry I had. Warning: it is very spicy, so good thing rice is complimentary and unlimited! They served the rice in a massive bowl and at first I thought there was no way my group could make a dent in it. Boy was I wrong. The curry sauce itself was so good couldn't stop scooping more rice to eat with it. Highly recommend ordering the frozen thai teas because it helps with the spice a lot more than water does. The boat noodles were served in a massive bowl with thick cut beef slices. Noodles were great, the broth was rich and packed with flavor. The crunchy pork skin topping gave it great contrast in textures. Not as spicy as the curry and you can actually adjust the spice level depending on how much of the dried pepper flakes you mix into the soup. If you want less spicy, scoop out the pepper flakes. Graft's seasonal cider was a great call! Loved the brightness of the yuzu, perfect summer can. read more

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This is a wonderful follow-up to the previous restaurant concept in this space. Flavors are bright, interesting, and memorable. Menu updates frequently enough that there are new things to try. It feels like a homey neighborhood spot, and delivering something much more personal than the typical takeout Thai spot. A lot of the dishes are actually spicy, so this may not be the spot to go if you have a sensitive stomach or palate. However, I agree with other reviews - the previous concept in this space was all about ordering the spiciest dishes and seeing who would survive. The waiters also used to lean into this and go out of their way to warn against or make it seem that some dishes were unbearably spicy. While there are still a few items on the menu here that are a nod back to those days, I found Hungry Thirsty to have way more options for everyday eating, and a better variety of medium spicy dishes available. The staff also didn't seem to be as worried about warning customers about spicy dishes as much so the atmosphere felt so much more relaxed. They have a pretty generous wine/beer menu. My favorite item on the menu was the fried branzino. The fry/breading is incredible and stays crispy. It's got great salt/acid and a punchy sauce that comes with it. My favorite comforting dish was their beef noodle special. The beef was incredibly tender and there's a great variety of textures and flavors in there. The staff were all super nice. Service is on the slower side. It's a small space, so even with reservations, be prepared to be patient if it takes some extra time to get your table or for them to take your order. Once we ordered, food came out reasonably fast. I would recommend making reservations if possible. The ambiance is energetic. Bright walls, loud music, and pretty much always busy. Tables are small. Wouldn't be comfortable inside for more than like 2 larger groups (by large groups I mean ~6ish people). Currently as the weather is nice, they have a small amount of uncovered outdoor seating available as well. I definitely recommend checking this spot out at least once, though. I would totally return! It's a wonderfully cozy spot. read more

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Simply a knockout for Southern Thai food in nyc. I was a regular at Ugly Baby, but I think I'm even more in love with the new Hungry Thirsty. It's different--more food-focused and less reliant on gimmicky, inedible spicy dishes. I tried all of their Southern curry selections, and each one was done to perfection--with just the right amount of heat and fiery spices. The pla tod nam pla and shrimp omelet are also must-orders; they pair perfectly with the curry to balance out the heat. Can't wait to go back already! read more

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I love that there's always something new to try here--the menu changes often, which keeps things fun and interesting. The food is definitely spicier than you'd expect from a typical five-star level. Thankfully, the rice is bottomless and free, which helps cool things down. If you're feeling adventurous and want to try something bold and authentic, check this place out. You won't be disappointed. read more

The restaurant has some nice ambiance. Pretty much everything was an A+. The servers were wonderful and friendly. Enjoyed the music !!! read more

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Great vibe, service and excellent selection of authentic Thai dishes with a an interesting spin. My only complaint is the time limit placed on parties of two. read more

When Ugly Baby closed, Brooklyn died a little bit. Sort of. But when previous employees decided to take over the space with the retired chef's blessing, there is now hope that spices shall live on. It is definitely a lot to live up to, hence a tweak with the menu. But in order to calm the mass, there are adaptations from Ugly Baby, such as the khoong muk kai kem (shrimp, squid, and salted duck egg) and the ever popular beef shank penang. These are 'inspired' dishes, so don't expect the exact flavor profile or burning sensation. The rest of the menu puts an emphasis on Southern Thailand along with Thai street foods. Don't mistaken - it's still home cooked meals and it's always favorable to support unapologetic dishes. read more

I never got a chance to go to Ugly Baby, so I'm glad I was able to make a reservation for Hungry Thirsty. They were sold out Beef Shank Penang Curry and the Mushroom red curry, so we ordered the Chang Mai Spicy Noodle ($40) and the Tom Yum Shrimp and Cabbage Dish ($29) since my dining partner was a conservative eater. I liked the Chang Mai Spicy Noodle, but found the soup a bit watery. There were also an excessive about of loose spices in the dish that it was disruptive to eating. The tom yum shrimp and cabbage dish packed a lot of spice and flavor (it came with raw cucumbers, green beans, and cabbage if you wanted to dial down the spice). Giving it 4 stars because IMO the dishes were overpriced compared to similar quality thai spots, especially given the location of the restaurant. On the other hand, they had a lot of unique dishes you wouldn't be able to order elsewhere that I didn't get to try - so I'd be willing to come back and give it another shot. They still have a decent craft beer selection, though all of their drinks are very highly marked up ($13 for a thai iced tea slushy!) read more

Hungry Thirsty - Chang Mai Spicy Noodle, Tom Yum Shrimp and Cabbage - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love everything about this place. Definitely the best Thai place in New York next to Thai diner

Unique Thai restaurant. We enjoyed the food, very tasty flavors and unique spice combinations. Didn't love the ambiance though. It's very small, some tables are placed partially inside the kitchen and staff are rushing by with plates right next to you. Doesn't feel like a relaxing experience. Given the very high prices (many entrees are $30+) I expected a nicer, less rushed dining experience. read more

Splendid delicious food. But... we waited nearly 40 minutes for our food to be served... then 15 minutes later were asked to put our meals in to-go containers because they needed the table. No offer to discount anything or buy our drinks. Just thanks and good bye. Obviously won't be returning. People at table beside us had the same thing happen and were far from impressed. Cmon guys figure it out, surely you know this ain't done when your customers are paying this kind of money. read more

amazing food. the fried branzino is the best thing i ever ate. the other dishes - including the pork side frisch too. and creative awesome beer choices. the portions are quite large, Amie gave us great recommendations. read more

As former Ugly Baby regulars, my partner and I visited Hungry Thirsty with great intrigue and anticipation - it did not disappoint. The flavor profile is unapologetically southern Thai with extra punch and spice across several unique dishes. We especially loved the mushroom red curry dish, the spicy shrimp curry, the hearty and garlicky shrimp omelette, and the fiery short rib kua kling. Overall, we found the food to capture many of the exciting flavors that made Ugly Baby so appealing but with an element of refinement as it pertains to cooking technique. We have been twice already and look forward to returning in the near future. read more