Staten Island Ethnic Food and Restaurants

As a Staten Island resident or visitor, you may think you have to go to Manhattan for a good ethnic meal.  It isn't so.  Below are my restaurant recommendations for a date, hanging out, bringing the family, and ordering in.

On a Date
   
With its quiet, dim atmosphere, well-spaced tables, attentive service and tasteful Asian art, Forest Thai (1211 Forest Avenue) is the perfect place to bring a date.  Entrees are $7-$12, delicious and served to share, but I recommend starting with an appetizer.  My favorite is the kanom jeeb (vegetable dumplings).  They also serve a tasty clear soup, which is light and chock full of vegetables such as cucumbers and baby corn, but is not a good choice if you don't like pepper.

   On to the main course!  There is a lot to choose from, so don't limit yourself to the pad thai.  The folks at Forest Thai are friendly and will let you substitute tofu for much of the meat on the menu, making this an ideal place for both vegetarians and meat-lovers.  And they do a good job preparing the tofu so that it's more than just the bland stuff that's flavored by the sauce used in the dish.  It has an enjoyable flavor and texture of it's own.  

   If you're not getting a noodle dish, try the sticky rice: it's a fun side dish and there's enough for two to share.  Enjoy the vanilla ice cream if it is included with your entree.  If not, cross the street after your meal and go to Egger's, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.  First, be sure to say goodbye to your hosts, who will likely remember you and greet you warmly the next time you eat at Forest Thai.

With the Guys/Gals