Cafetasia 07-02-2009

Location: 28 E 8th St.
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: On our way to Rai Rai Ken in East Village, we stumbled upon a Thai place cleverly or awkwardly named, Cafetasia. Since the price was reasonable, and the rain started pouring again, we went in without hesitation.

The front door and communal tables follow the theme of cafeteria faithfully. The tall candle stands on the tables scared me, as I thought they might fall onto my face. (They never did.) We had about three or four members of the waitstaff making sure we had everything, which was pleasant but a little bit overboard at the same time. As soon as we took a sip, someone came by to fill up the water. As soon as we finished a plate, someone came to clean up. I felt I was constantly being watched and judged at all time, which is again, just like cafeteria.

The menu gave the clever option of three different sizes: S, M, L and XL. This gives the options of sharing food with people or eating as small or large as you want. I hope this trend would catch on. We both decided to order their "early bird" special, which gives you an appetizer, an entrée and draft beer/wine/soda for $10. What a great deal!

Our appetizers, gyoza and spring rolls were both greasy and salty, and they came over-sauced. The entrées, Thai basil with shrimp and chicken Pad Thai were just mediocre. They were both over-seasoned, and the vegetables were not particularly fresh. Our beer, Blue Moon and Brooklyn Lager were good as expected.

I like the concept of the place and their reasonably priced menu, but I would much rather spend extra $3 to get amazing Thai food elsewhere or we should have stuck to our plan and kept walking towards Rai Rai Ken in the rain.