"Sabai opened not long ago to much fanfare and acclaim. It fashions itself a purveyor of "Thai street food", and aspires to a gritty vibe primarily articulated by its lack of air conditioning.
The interior is spare and semi-industrial with lots of metal and exposed pipes. Somewhat dim, the majority of the light is generated by a large central chandelier. I have no knowledge of actual Thai street food (I imagine $14 cocktails play but a token role), but the food here is very very good. The pad Thai is the best I've had...just spicy enough with plump shrimp and tender noodles. The pork belly appetizer is perfectly broiled and in a delicious sauce. The aforementioned cocktails are good , although their flagship drink
features a somewhat toxic looking urinal-cake blue foam and I've not had it. The staff is friendly and a bit quirky.
So... Why a 4 and not a 5? Ok a somewhat petty reason... The first time we tried to go with a couple friends, we walked in at @ 4:50 on a weekend afternoon. The staff was chilling and sitting around chatting; as we walked in, one of them smirkingly told us they didn't open until 5 and that we'd have to leave. Really? 4 middle aged people with lots of $$ to spend , and you can't spot us 10 minutes? There's definitely attitude here and I don't mean that positively. It just left a bad taste in my mouth."
