I loved Pongsri tonight, our new Chelsea Thai place. I learned of it at Gothamist Food. I love learning of new food places reading the food blogs. I felt so in the know when the crew I was with (I hang with a crew because I'm phat) said, "Where's a good place to eat around here?" (we were at an Emory alumni event between 7th and 8th) and I said, "Oooh, there's a new Thai place across the street. Supposed to be great."

So we made our way over in the rain:

Pongsri opened on Sunday. The owner jubilantly greeted our table. In fact, all the waiters and busboys were jubilant. There was a great vibe going on at Pongsri. Thai food karma's gonna get you...

I was there with Lisa, Alli and her boyfriend (who I just met) Burny (spelled this way according to Ricky, but he could be lying--I wonder if he's lying?). Here's Lisa and Burny:

Here's me and Alli:

You can't see them very well, but I got a new pair of glasses this week. They're titanium. They can withstand temperatures of 10s of thousands of degrees. That will come in handy when I fly to the sun.

Anyway, the food. The food the food the food.

Alli and I had some issues. "I'm getting Pad Thai," she said. "I'm getting Big Bird's nest," I said. "Ok," she said. All seemed well.

The waiter approached. "What's the very best thing here? The very best thing?" I asked.

He said, "The Pad Thai. People come here for our Pad Thai."

"Ok," I responded, "I'll have the Pad Thai."

"WHAT!" screamed Alli. "I WAS GETTING THE PAD THAI! YOU CAN'T GET THE PAD THAI TOO! WE HAVE TO GET DIFFERENT DISHES!"

"How's the Big Bird's nest?" I asked the waiter.

"Ohh very good," he said.

"Better than the Pad Thai?" I pressed.

"Yes," he said, "much better."

So I appeased Alli with big bird's nest and quicker than you can say black thai optional, the food arrived.

Here's Alli's Pad Thai:

Here's my Big Bird's Nest:

It had chicken, chili-garlic paste, carrots, celery, peppers, pineapple and peanuts. It was delicious. And it was served in a faux bird's nest. And there was sooo much of it.

Everyone loved their dish. "I love my dish!" said everyone. The waiter and owner were happy. "You live here in this neighborhood?" the owner asked. "Yes we do," some of us said. "Well I hope you come back!"

We assured him that we would and we weren't even lying. It's our new neighborhood Thai place.