Fried pork and some fishy larb
Even after blogging about food for over four years, I still make rookie mistakes at a restaurant. I still feel pressure from the server if the order doesn't follow a strict one-entree-per-person rule. It's maddening. The other day Steph and I were in Zabb Elee and we ordered one dish too many because I thought the Thai sausages would not be enough along with one entree. So I piled on another entree you know, just to make sure we're full. It was too much food. Never ever ask a server if you ordered enough food. They're running a business. The either want your business if you didn't order enough food and midway through your meal and want to order more. I'm sure Zabb Elee could have accommodated that request but I didn't test it out.
The sausages or Sai Kroong Esan ($6) are definitely a worthy plate, and if you're a party of two, you could easily count that as an entree unless they shrink the portion size.
Kra Pao Moo Korb ($9) is another dish that is a must order. This is a basil stri-fry with crispy pieces of pork belly and pieces of string or long bean. The basil and rabbit food help the dish, but it's difficult to go wrong with deep fried pieces of pork. You could also get these pork pieces in a crispy pork larb dish.
We also tried the Pla dook larb ($9). This is larb made with crispy catfish bits. The menu says larb is ground meat, shallot, fresh mint, scallion, cilantro, chili powder and lime dressing. It's almost like a tossed Thai salad. This however, not the same as getting your salad tossed in Thailand. I would say the catfish larb is extremely fishy, therefore if you're queasy about such things, be careful. If you end up with leftovers and take this home, also be careful... it tastes even fishier after it's been in your fridge for a bit.
At Zabb Elee you can select how spicy you want the food to be. We had our food mild, and it was already spicy enough. Last time when I had the moo korb larb, it was made spicy, and I had to stop several times in the middle of eating it to calm my taste buds. If you do get your food 'Thai spicy' as they say, make sure you get a few orders of rice. It's $2 for a bowl of sticky rice and $1 for regular. Go with the sticky and get lots, it'll make it easier to brave through the heat.
Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003
212-505-9533
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i went to Zaab Elee a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it a lot. we over-ordered too. the duck larb was great. i would be interested to taste the catfish larb for for fish(sauce) on fish action.
they had a special of frogs legs that were insanely good. legs were the size of chicken drumsticks.
TT
November 3, 2011 11:41 am
Love Zabb Elee, wish it were closer to the office! Now you've got me craving the Sai Kroong Esan with a bowl of rice..
LUNCH
November 4, 2011 3:34 pm
@TT,
oooh duck larb, that does sound good. It wasn't dry was it? I find that duck at random thai places seem to be just fried til it's jerky-like. Those frog legs sound amazing...
@LUNCH,
Yea I wish this was right next to work... it would make lunch decisions much easier on some days!
Danny
November 9, 2011 11:46 am