When I first moved to the city in 1979 there were just a handful of Thai restaurants and eating Thai was considered a pretty "exotic" dining experience. Today, Thai is almost ubiquitous. Thai is a wonderful cuisine, and one of those cuisines that it seems everyone enjoys, and because of this rabid popularity people seem especially passionate about their "favorite Thai discovery." However, for those seeking the most "authentic" Thai cuisine, and not the often "spiced-down" flavor, with a menu that offers some "unusual unfamiliar dishes," and a place where a good majority of the diners are native of Thailand, you have to come to Queens, especially the Elmhurst/Woodside area.  Sripraphai (in Woodside) was my first love, then it was the tiny Chao Thai, but now . . . for the past couple of years my go-to favorite of all Thai Elmhurst restaurants, and in all of NYC is Ayada. This eight year old Thai is the place for those seeking the most authentic Thai restaurant experience and worthy of the gastronomic pilgrimage.

There are several appetizers/soups I am crazy about at Ayada; from the most delicious Tom-Kha soup I have ever had, to crab roll, to chive dumplings . . . but, my favorite is probably the Papaya Salad with seafood. Spicy, flavorful, big pieces of shrimp and calamari. L

When I am with others I often go with one of the fantastic large fish dishes, such as Fried Fish with Mango Sauce. However, when i am dining alone my favorite entree is the Duck Curry. Succulent, crisp, and spicy - but not overbearing. 

The restaurant is on the small size with twenty four seats and is attractive with retro black and white photos of Thailand gracing a soft green colored wall. A small Buddha shrine rests in the back upper corner. One of the main reasons in addition to the fantastic food of Ayada that makes it special, is that a good portion of those dining are from Thailand, which ensures a richer experience. There are approximately 30,000 Thais living in New York City, with the high majority being in the Queens neighborhoods of Elmhurst, Woodside and Jackson Heights.  Los Angeles is far and away the largest city in the US for Thais. 

One of my very favorite dishes at Ayada is the Pork Larb Salad served with sticky rice, this a dish that is usually not on the menu of the majority of Thai restaurants in New York. Larb is known as E-Sarn, this is food from Thailand's "north" and also popular in neighboring Laos. This is dish soaked in onion and lime juice and can be searing in its spice. When you dine at Ayada please remember when they ask "how spicy would you like it?" - that they prepare the dishes/spice level for the "Thai diner" in mind.  So (and I learned this first hand) if you like "spicy," here you should say "medium," and if you normally like "medium spice" at Ayada, just say "little spice." It will all work out . . . and it will be delicious for you.

Here is another E-Sarn dish, called Thai Northern Sausage. The taste is very distinct, more sour than spicy. I personally am not crazy about it, but if you want the fullest range of exploring Thai cuisine you must try this. The Thai Northern Sausage is found at few Thai restaurants in New York, as are other select dishes that are served at Ayada; such as the raw shrimp appetizer, and crispy catfish salad.

And to add to the glories of Ayada . . . is the wonderful, kind, and fun, and very knowledgeable wait staff. Also, the largest Buddhit Thai temple in the city is just a seven minute walk away form the restaurant, the name is Wat Buddha Thai Thavor Vanaram.

Thai language lesson - "Hello"/female speaking (Sa-wat-dee-ka) "Hello"/male speaking (Sa-wat-dee-krub) "Thank you"/female speaking (Khob-kun-ka) "Thank you"/male speaking (Khob-kun-krub)  "Delicious" (a -roi)

Interesting fact about about Thailand - Thailand has the world's largest gold Buddha, largest crocodile farm, largest restaurant, world's tallest hotel, and longest single-span suspension bridge in the world.

Address - 7708 Woodside Avenue Elmhurst (Queens)  (718) 424 - 0844