A new Thai restaurant is set to spice up the Upper East Side dining scene.
Ob Uan, co-owned by Jason Kim and partners, will debut at 1479 First Ave. in the former Spice space. Kim told Whatnow New York City the Upper East Side’s family-oriented residential community made the neighborhood a natural fit.
“Ob Uan means the aroma, the taste, the general feeling that’s captured and pervades a space, associated with happy and nostalgic memories,” he said.
The interior will also evoke nostalgia with pink pastels, buttery yellows and antique accents.
“The color scheme and palette, you see a lot in the back alleys and roads in Bangkok. It’s something we wanted to capture. We’re also adding texture to the walls and having that aged antique feel, retro theme. We already have an array of school chairs from the 1920s,” Kim said.
The menu, still in development, will feature Thai classics such as pad Thai while introducing homemade recipes inspired by each partner’s hometown, representing regions including Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Chanthaburi and Songkhla.
“One of the dishes that will be on the special menu is a grilled sardine that’s cooked into a fried rice dish. It’s just little things like that we’ll be bringing—new flavors to the current Thai food scene,” he said.
The team is also crafting a drink menu.
Kim said he looks forward to opening the new spot.
“I feel like people are craving a little bit more of the vintage atmosphere. We wanted to capture that and also provide a community sense for the Upper East Side where we can connect and have relationships rather than passing diners,” he said.
Ob Uan plans to open in mid-September and is currently under construction.
