Much like Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Long Island CIty, Queens has been undergoing a bit of a renaissance over the past decade. Most notably has been an unbelievable influx of great restaurants and small eateries that has made these areas an absolute joy to visit!
On Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens is Tuk Tuk. A great little Thai place that I have been frequenting of late, so I thought I would share this little gem with the rest of the world during my latest visit. The decor is simple and clean, but nothing extraordinary, though where I come from, food and drink is king, so I’m just fine with it. It’s been a long hectic day at the office, so let’s step inside and set things right.
I wanted to unwind and enjoy my meal, so I started by ordering a Malbec. A bottle of Tapiz 2011 from Argentina kicked off the evening, and I have to say, I really enjoyed this Malbec. While I’m sure it would benefit from aging a bit, this is just a fantastic tasting wine at a very reasonable price! This is the second time I have ordered it, and it certainly won’t be the last. A nice strong foundation with a bit of berry and a smooth finish, with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Did I mention that I like this Malbec?
As an appetizer, I decided on the Tom Ka Gal soup. It’s a chicken soup with lime leaf, mushrooms, and galangal in a coconut broth. Quite honestly, I not sure how to describe this soup. You can certainly taste the tangy lime influence, but it’s perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the coconut broth. The galangal, which is a ginger variant, native to the region of Thailand, adds a distinct floral touch to this soup. There is a faint spicy kick to the finish which bites you ever so slightly, right on the back of your tongue. Unlike any soup I have tasted before, the Tom Ka Gal has a unique balance of tangy sweetness with just enough heat to create a flavorful experience without being overbearing.
As an entree, I opted for the Chicken Pad Rama. I’ve had this dish before, and I just love it, so I felt compelled to write about it. The Chicken Pad Rama has…well….Chicken, along with steam broccoli, carrots and green beans in a peanut sauce, served with white rice. A very hardy and fulfilling dish, the Chicken Pad Rama has a lovely, nutty sweetness from the peanut sauce, which complements it’s slightly spicy overtone perfectly over a bed of freshly steamed vegetables. This is just one of those dishes that I can’t get enough of!
As I’m sure you can tell, Tuk Tuk is one of those places that I really like. You can get a uniquely delicious meal and a great bottle of wine for a very reasonable price. What’s not to love? If you’re in Long Island City, be sure check them out!
May your journeys bring you great joy and enlightenment.
Dave
Tuk Tuk
49-06 Vernon Blvd., L.I.C, NY 11101
(Between 49th & 50th Ave.)
718-472-5598