Qi Esarn Thai Kitchen (CLOSED)

Find northern Thai eats at this Union Square offshoot of the Qi minichain, decorated with wood panels and an abacus wall. Pastry guru Pichet Ong (Sugar and Plumm) consulted on the menu, while former Del Posto cook Claire Handleman—a frequent Southeast Asian backpacker—helms the kitchen on a day-to-day basis. Spiced plates include a green mango salad, duck laab and salt-crusted tilapia with garlic-chili sauce. Cool your palate with tropical cocktails such as the Laab Esarn (toasted jasmine rice gin, cucumber puree, ginger and basil) and the Kanohm Whan (coconut rum, jasmine syrup, jackfruit and lychee).