NYC: Tha Phraya - Really good Thai restaurant on the Upper East Side

It’s Restaurant Week in New York City again, which reminded me that I never got around to writing about my visit to Tha Phraya during last summer’s Restaurant Week.

Tha Phraya is on the Upper East Side and serves excellent, authentic Thai food. We started with Miang Kham, one of my favorite dishes from Thailand. You get small leaves (often betel leaves) that you fill with toasted coconut flakes, peanuts, dried shrimp, lime, and chili, then fold up and eat in one bite. The mix of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy is irresistible, like the essence of how Thailand tastes in one bite, if you ask me.

We also had Tod Mun Goong, crispy shrimp cakes with plum sauce for dipping, and Yum Som O, a refreshing pomelo salad with a great, slightly sweet, flavor. For the main course, we ordered a curry with shrimp. Not the prettiest dish, but the flavor was spot-on. The highlight of the evening, though, was the Pae Sa Pla Tod, a whole fried fish in a fantastic sauce. Having it on the Restaurant Week menu felt almost too good to be true, though I checked, and sadly it’s not on the menu this year.

The photos from that night aren’t much to brag about. I’m not sure what went wrong, but fortunately, the food tasted far better than the pictures suggest.

Tha Phraya, 1553 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

Tha Phraya
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New York City: Cod Roe Soondubu at DubuHaus

Steve and I had originally planned to have dinner at Hangawi, but it was restaurant week, and we hadn’t made a reservation. The staff told us the wait would be about 45 minutes which was too long on empty stomachs, so we decided to try DubuHaus, which is right next door. DubuHaus is known for soondubu (or soondobu/soontofu) jjigae, a Korean stew with silky tofu in a steaming hot, spicy broth. When I’m craving soondubu, I usually go straight to BCD Tofu House. I love their soondubu and I’ve never felt the need to try anywhere else. But BCD always has a line, and we were hungry, so that wasn’t an option either, and thus we ended up at DubuHaus.

Before our food arrived, they served a small glass of tofu drink on the house. Steve wasn’t a fan, but I found it ok tasty. I ordered the Cod Roe Soondubu, which arrived to the table piping hot. The roe still had the membrane around it, which wasn’t the most appetizing look, but it tasted great. Steve went for the Dubu Vegetable Bibimbap, which was served as a salad with rice on the side, so you could decide on the rice-to-veggie ratio yourself.

I had upgraded my rice to the Nutritious Kettle Pot Rice with ginkgo, edamame, and shiitake. That was a very good call and something I’d definitely recommend.

After the meal, we got another surprise: a small cup of tofu soft serve. Smooth, creamy, and with a subtle hint of tofu, almost as good as regular soft serve, and a perfect cold treat if you’re lactose intolerant.

I’m really glad we gave DubuHaus a try. The space is sleek and stylish, the service is friendly and efficient, their banchan is good, and to be honest, their soondubu is every bit as good as BCD’s.

My Guide to Korean Restaurants in New York City

DubuHaus, 6 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016

DubuHaus NYC

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NYC: Plantshed - Matcha, Portraits and a Green Escape

It had been way too long since I last saw Ehsan, so I sent him a quick message on WhatsApp to see how he was doing. He replied that he was on his way to meet some friends at PlantShed and asked if Steve and I wanted to swing by. Of course we did, so we headed over to East Village.

PlantShed started out as a flower shop back in the 1950s. The café side of the business is a relatively new addition, but it works brilliantly, and today, there are several PlantShed locations across the city that combine plants and coffee in the best possible way. The space is filled with lush greenery and fresh flowers, so stepping inside feels like walking into a greenhouse right in the middle of all the noise and chaos of the city. A quiet little jungle in Manhattan.

I think their matcha is better than their coffee, and this summer they have seasonal drink called Dragonfly that I really like. It’s made with ceremonial grade matcha, raspberry purée and milk, and it’s honestly so good, so that’s what I had, along with an almond croissant. The croissant was fine, though I wouldn’t have minded a little more almond paste filling.

One of Ehsan’s friends, Dana Nehdaran, is a well known artist, especially for his portraits. His work has been exhibited in the US and internationally. At some point, he looked up and asked if he could do a quick sketch of me. Of course I said yes. There’s something fascinating about seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes, especially when that someone is an artist like Dana.

It turned into a really cozy couple of hours, surrounded by plants, good matcha, and interesting company. If you’re in New York and need a break, or just want to drink matcha surrounded by greenery, stop by PlantShed. They have several cafés around the city.

PlantShed East Village, 193 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, United States

PlantShed East Village
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LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

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Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts have come a long way from the overcooked version many of us remember from our childhood and the modern way of roasting them has completely changed their reputation. High heat transforms the Brussels sprouts into something sweet and caramelized, with crispy edges and a soft center, and once you try them like this, it is hard to go back.

I make this simple roasted version all the time. It is quick, and almost impossible to mess up. A little olive oil helps them brown beautifully, and a squeeze of lemon at the end wakes everything up. Drizzle with parmesan cheese and it is suddenly the one dish everyone talks about.

Notes

You can make this recipe in either the oven or the air fryer. The oven gives you deeper caramelization, while the air fryer makes them extra crisp in less time. Both methods work well, so choose whatever fits your schedule.

All my Thanksgiving Recipes

Holiday Recipes from Scandinavia and the US

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Servings

4

servings
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Ingredients

  • 9 oz Brussels sprouts (250 g)

  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil (15 to 22 ml)

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • A few grinds of black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, added after cooking

Directions

  • Air fryer directions
  • Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Place the sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until browned and crisp.
  • Add lemon juice and grated Parmesan before serving.
  • Oven directions
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Trim the ends and remove any loose outer leaves. Cut the Brussels sprouts in half.
  • Place the sprouts in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  • Spread them on a baking sheet, cut side down.
  • Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cut sides are deeply browned and the outer leaves are crispy.
  • Remove from the oven and add a small squeeze of lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and serve right away.
Ninja Air Fryer 4-in-1 Pro
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I’ve had really good experiences with the Ninja air fryers. They're easy to use, the quality feels solid, and the results are consistently great. I’ve had really good experiences with the Ninja air fryers. They’re easy to use, the quality feels solid, and the results are consistently great. I like that you don’t have to fuss around with settings to get good food out of it. Vegetables turn out crisp without drying out, and chicken comes out juicy with a nice golden crust. It’s one of those kitchen gadgets that actually lives up to the hype and ends up being used all the time.

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12/09/2025 02:00 pm GMT
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Recipe: Sweet Potato Mash with Marshmallows

Sweet potato mash with marshmallows might sound like dessert, but it is super tasty with turkey and the first time I tried it, I was instantly hooked. It’s usually topped with mini marshmallows, though I’ve never managed to find them when I actually need them, so I always use the regular size. They melt just as nicely, they look great, and the whole thing has that sweet, warm, slightly spicy flavor that fits perfectly on any holiday table.

Notes

If making ahead: prepare the mash the day before and keep it in the fridge, then add the marshmallows and bake just before serving.

All my Thanksgiving Recipes

Holiday Recipes from Scandinavia and the US

Recipe: Sweet Potato Mash with Marshmallows

Servings

4

servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes (~1kg)

  • 3 tablespoons butter (40 g)

  • 2 tablespoons whole milk or cream (40 ml)

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (30 g)

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

  • Pinch of salt

  • Regular marshmallows or mini marshmallows for topping

Directions

  • Boil the sweet potatoes in salted water until completely soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Drain well and let the steam escape for a minute.
  • Mash the sweet potatoes while they’re hot, using a wooden spoon, potato masher, or hand mixer.
  • Add the butter, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
  • Transfer the mash to a baking dish or a tray and smooth out the top.
  • Add the marshmallows on top right before baking.
  • Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are melted and lightly golden.
    Serve right away while the topping is soft and gooey.

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Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Turkey gravy is an important part of a complete Thanksgiving meal. When you make it from scratch with a simple giblet stock and the drippings from your roasted turkey, you get a deep, savory flavor that lifts everything else on the table. It is the kind of gravy that pulls the whole meal together. My experience is that there is never enough gravy, so make sure you make a big portion so there’s enough gravy for the leftovers the following day.

Notes

You can take the drippings from the roasting pan about 30 minutes before the turkey is ready. Add them to the gravy and let it simmer for a few minutes. This gives the gravy its final flavor, and you only need to heat it up before serving.

Add more or less stock depending on how thick you like your gravy. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of water. If it is too thin, let it simmer a little longer.

If you want a traditional textured gravy, stir in the finely chopped cooked giblets and neck meat. If you prefer a smooth gravy, strain it before serving.

Make a generous portion. Leftover gravy is great the next day with turkey sandwiches or mashed potatoes.

All my Thanksgiving Recipes

Holiday Recipes from Scandinavia and the US

Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Servings

4

servings and enough for leftovers the following day
Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • Giblet stock
  • Turkey neck and giblets

  • 1 small onion, quartered

  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut in chunks

  • 1 celery stalk, cut in chunks

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 6 black peppercorns

  • 4 cups water (~1 liter)

  • Salt to taste

  • Gravy
  • 3 tablespoons butter (~ 40 g)

  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour

  • About 3 cups giblet stock (750 ml), or as much as you have

  • 1 cup turkey drippings and juices from the roasting pan

  • Salt and black pepper

  • Optional: finely chopped cooked giblets and neck meat

Directions

  • Make the giblet stock
  • Rinse the neck and giblets.
  • Place them in a pot with onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf, peppercorns, and water.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
  • Skim off any foam and season lightly with salt.
  • Strain the stock and set aside.
  • If you want a traditional textured gravy, finely chop the cooked giblets and the meat pulled from the neck.
  • Make the gravy base
  • Set a medium pot over medium heat.
  • Add the butter and let it melt.
  • Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste.
  • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the roux turns pale golden and smells slightly nutty.
  • Slowly whisk in the giblet stock. Start with a small amount to loosen the roux, then add the rest.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and let the gravy cook for about 10 minutes.
  • Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Turn off the heat and let the gravy wait until the turkey is done.
  • Finish the gravy with turkey drippings. Use a spoon or small measuring cup to scoop up the hot drippings and juices from the roasting pan. Pour them directly into the gravy pot. Stir well and keep the gravy at a gentle simmer. Serve hot.

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