By Sowon Jessica Moon

Seeda Thai restaurant was dimly lit with pale yellow walls and candles at every table; it was a haven of tranquility with voices mumbling with laughter and delight, a pleasing setting that was family oriented.

The menu itself had a wide variety of meals that was aimed to fit anyone’s taste. From traditional Thai meals like Pad Thai and Kai Kra Praow and vegetarian dishes like the Best Vegetarian Dish with smoked tofu, vegetables with chili and garlic, it was possibly the most wide ranged menu I had come across in a Thai menu. If there was a meal that wasn’t available on the menu for a customer, cooks at Seeda are more than willing to prepare the meal without any additional fee. Though I usually opt for Pad Thai, I had decided to take a risk and try the Siamese Shrimp, a pan friend shrimp with chili and garlic sauce with a bowl of brown rice on the side, Thai iced tea to drink, and a green tea ice cream for dessert.

I didn’t wait long before a hot sizzling plate arrived. The meal looked like a work of art; I had a moment of hesitation, confused as to whether I wanted to eat it or take a picture of it. My hunger got the best of me, and I went for my first bite. Shrimp had taken a new level of taste with the Siamese Shrimp. While most other shrimp dishes are light in order to maintain the succulent consistency of the shrimp, Seeda had made a bold step and made this dish intense and an adventure of flavor. It was difficult to grasp the notion that so few ingredients were involved when creating this meal, yet it was also easy to see that simplicity here is ideal and to add more to this meal would have spoiled the taste that resonated throughout my taste buds.

The Thai iced tea was rich and flavorful, a refreshing drink that complimented the spicy dish and the green tea ice cream tasted home made; nothing could have made this meal better. The proportions were small, but it was undoubtedly filling. The staff was beyond amiable, asking before they took away the meals if I was finished. They were very considerate and it made my stay more enjoyable, as if they didn’t want me to leave, something I didn’t expect from a restaurant in the busy New York City. Aside from the Siamese Shrimp, common orders include Pad Thai, Peanut Chicken, the Best Vegetarian Dish, one customer’s personal favorites including Pad Thai and Curry Chicken, though she mentioned there was such a wide range of meals within the menu it was difficult to choose just one.

The most intriguing item on the menu was “JFK Jr. Favorites”, which consisted of Fresh Rolls made from shrimp, vegetables and chicken, and Nam, comprised of minced pork, ginger, onion, chili and lime juice. When I asked the owner of the restaurant, Janet, about this item, she proudly claimed that John F. Kennedy Jr. came to Seeda frequently. Other celebrities that had dined at Seeda include the band Maroon 5, Robert Redford, Conan O’ Brian and Run DMC. When I asked Janet when her busiest night was, she informed me that for the most part every day was a busy day. I had expected her to tell me it was because her restaurant was in Midtown, but instead Janet claimed it was mainly due to the frequency of the regulars. Talking to Janet was similar to talking to a friend. Though I addressed her in a professional manner, she reacted with smiles and jokes in a welcoming manner which I had not expected. She had such magnetism about her that you remember her more than the restaurants name itself.

This small, primarily Thai restaurant on West 50th Street had remained in its position for twenty years. Seeda now has a restaurant on 50th and Broadway, which has been there for ten years. Though I have made several trips into New York City and have tried several different restaurants, I was most amazed by Seeda Thai. The food, staff and owner were phenomenal. It is a family oriented restaurant with meals under twenty dollars. I left Seeda Thai feeling relaxed, satisfied, content and eager to return. There is such a busy vibe about New York City; being from the suburbs I constantly feel like in the city I need to be on the move. But at Seeda, with the staff and store owner alike, I was in a restaurant where the hustle and bustle of the city was in slow motion. I felt relaxed throughout my entire meal, an arduous task made so effortless at Seeda.

Seeda Thai: 309 West 50th Street, New York, NY. (212) 586-4040 www.seedathai.com

Seeda Thai, located along Eigth Avenue in Manhattan, serves various Thai cusine including Sesame shrimp and best vegetarian dish. (Image courtesy of seedathai.com)