QI Thai (c/o Gothamist)

They’re still awaiting their liquor license but Qi Thai Grill is now open for business. Hopefully it won’t suck as much as Sea.

And here we have the new Williamsburg restaurant QI Thai Grill, a collaboration between Pichet Ong, the creative chef and baker who ran the now-defunct P*ong, Sripraphai Tipmanee of Woodside’s Sripraphai, and chef Kea SiwaSila….

The menu is divided into two parts, with Ong handling the “Grilled” side, creating such items as Grilled Pork Jaw (Kor Mooh Yahng) served with spicy tamarind dipping sauce; Cinnamon Pork & Crispy Pork Belly (Mooh Dang Mooh Grohb), which is described as a “duo of roasted marinated pork and crispy pork belly, sweet Thai cinnamon soy dipping sauce; and Pork Satay (Mooh Sa-teyh). Ong explains, “Chicken satay didn’t originally exist in Thailand, just juicy pork! Served with toasted bread (as Bangkok street food style), peanut sauce and cucumber chutney.” And then there is the aforementioned Ovaltine Pork Ribs (Kra Dook Mhoo O-Wun-Tin), which are slowly marinated in five spices and then glazed “with Ovaltine barbecue sauce.” And be sure to save room for the Cinnamon Pork & Crispy Pork Belly (Mooh Dang Mooh Grohb), a “duo of roasted marinated pork and crispy pork belly, sweet Thai cinnamon soy dipping sauce marinated in five spices.” That’s ALSO glazed with (why not?) Ovaltine.

Tipmanee’s half of the menu focuses on small plates such as Spicy Pork Trotter with Fresh Herbs (Kee Mao kah Mooh); Mango Soft-shell crab (Yahm Puu Nihm) with mango salad, red onions, chili, lime, cilantro; and a Spicy Beef Tendon Salad (Larb Enn). They’re still waiting on the liquor license, but once that comes through you’ll be able to order (deep breath) Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. Named for Bangkok’s official name, it’s made with gin, vodka, star anise, ginger, yuzu, lime, Thai iced tea, and guava juice.

More pictures at Gothamist.

Qi Thai Grill
176 North 9th Street, Williamsburg
718.302.1499

Sea sucks

We sure hope so. Sure, Greenpoint’s Amarin is okay, but given the sheer number of places it’s ridiculous how mediocre the food is in north Brooklyn. (And let’s face it, despite its popularity, Sea sucks.) The last time we had good Thai in the neighborhood was when Planet Thai was in its original location on Bedford Ave. That’s why we’re excited about this news:

The owners of the Qi Thai restaurants are branching out with a third location slated to open in Williamsburg next week. Chef Pichet Ong created dishes for the Midtown location, and he will do the same for the new Brooklyn restaurant. But perhaps more intriguing is that the owners have also enlisted the talents of Sripraphai Tipmanee, of the beloved Sripraphai in Queens. Half the menu will be Ong’s dishes, and the other half will be Sripraphai’s dishes. The restaurant will seat 200 people.

The new location of Qi, dubbed Qi Thai Grill, will open next Wednesday at 76 N. 9th Street in Williamsburg.