Spice is the place I take out-of-town visitors when I want to show the trendy New York they expect. With its molded plastic chairs, funky geometric designs, and glass accents (as well as futuristic bathroom fixtures—make sure to stop by before you leave), Spice has the look of an urban crowd-pleaser. Although popular in the NYU area and constantly crowded, there is never a long wait because service is so efficient. One waiter is devoted exclusively to making rounds to fill water glasses almost ad nauseum.

The small joint tends to be noisy, but the fun, hip, relaxed crowds don't seem to mind. The food itself is quality—every dish I've tasted there has been at least above-average for Thai cuisine. Their Massaman is possibly my single favorite food—not too spicy, not too creamy, just thick enough. Pad thai too is among the better attempts I've had in New York with crispy sprouts, a good serving of peanuts, and not-overcooked noodles. Their Thai Iced Tea tastes richer, like the kind I remember from Thailand, than most Thai joints. Points for presentation as well—also trendy with white geometrical dishes sporting their cleanly presented foods in fun ways that go beyond the popular cone-shaped rice.

Like many Thai places, they run a fabulous lunch special for $6, which includes an appetizer—skip the salads, I recommend the emerald vegetable dumplings with black plum sauce—with your entree. Dinner pricing is also reasonable, between $8 and $10 for a dish. Not a great place for a romantic dinner, but a fast and dependable option a short distance from Union and Washington squares.

Although we live in NJ, my husband works in Manhattan, and we both used to live in "the city" before moving to "the burbs," so we love to go there for dinner and shows sometimes.

This restaurant is not fancy, but the food is great, and it has a really cool, trendy vibe. It’s located in a very hip part of town, right next to NYU. The décor and furniture are very retro-looking; for instance the chairs are white plastic. There is also DJ music playing in the background. Some people may find it a bit noisy, but we love the "young and vibrant" ambience. They offer a small waiting area and bar, but most of the people just wait outside on the street for their table, and although it’s very small, the wait is usually not too long.

The portions are also small, but that works well for me, since I like to sample several different things. My favorite dishes include the spring rolls and pad thai, while my husband prefers the penang beef curry and thai iced tea. The bill will be most reasonable, and it’s quite a value! You will not be disappointed! Do not confuse with "Cafe Spice", and Indian restaurant on the same block.