Union Square is famous for many things: countless union protests, the summer farmer’s market, the myriad shops and restaurants. I’ve only recently become acquainted with the neighborhood and have been discovering many hidden restaurants in the process. With many of my friends attending NYU just around the corner from Union Square, I’ve seen many pictures on Facebook of one particular restaurant that seemed to be a favorite. Cafetasia, the restaurant in question, offers Thai cuisine at an affordable price so that college students like myself can enjoy a quality meal without draining their wallets. Standing on 38 East 8th Street, Cafetasia is a spacious restaurant, dimly lit with a chic, modern interior. Surrounded by wooden tiles with mirrors placed in between them, the entire restaurant exudes a hip, romantic vibe.
Upon being seated my friend and I decided on the early bird special which goes from 4PM to 7PM. Luckily for us, it was ten before seven so we were able to get an appetizer, an entrée, and a drink for just $11. We both started out with the spring rolls, which came out to our table fairly quickly. The spring rolls were cooked with an extra crunch, and in a break from the usual, the sauce came drizzled on top rather than as a dipping sauce on the side. I especially liked the presentation of our appetizers, particularly because dipping anything in a sauce plate tends to leave a mess and does not leave room for double dipping.
Thai Spring Rolls
For my entrée, I ordered the shrimp pad Thai (bottom left), one of my favorite Thai dishes, and my friend ordered the grilled pork tenderloin with sautéed vegetables (bottom right). The pad Thai was a bit too salty for my friend’s taste, though I enjoyed it, finding the mixture of vegetables, flat rice noodles, and shrimp delectable. The grilled pork tenderloin came with a sauce that hinted of apple cider, and the two combined together well to complete the dish. Cooked well-done, the pork was rougher than the type of meat that I usually eat, but because it was sliced into thin strips, I had no difficulty chewing. As part of the early bird special, my friend ordered the Thai iced coffee and I the Thai iced tea. The sweet, woody taste of my Thai iced tea accompanied the pad Thai wonderfully, adding more exotic flavors to the already flavorful dish and giving me a full taste of Thailand.
I always enjoy a good Thai meal and I’m always on the lookout for the best pad thai. Cafetasia was beautifully decorated, and I was satisfied with the overall ambiance of the restaurant. Lively and modern, Cafetasia is definitely an “it” spot for college students looking to get away from their mundane dorm lives. With its special vibe and affordable menu, Cafetasia’s popularity amongst local eaters and even food-travelers like me should come as no shock. If you’re in the neighborhood or want to take a trip to Union Square, don’t hesitate to try out Cafetasia – you’ll walk away satisfied with their reasonably priced, high-quality, exotic meal.
Take a look at Cafetasia’s menu at: http://www.cafetasia.com/
Use this coupon from the Campus Clipper for a discount on a Thai meal that you’ll fall in love with!
Becky Kim, Queens College, Read my blog and follow me on Twitter
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