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Five years and one pandemic later, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer’s Thai-inspired diner—aptly named Thai Diner—continues to thrive. Most days, the street corner on Kenmare and Mott Streets spots a steady crowd, with diners vying for brunches of Thai tea French toast and disco fries.
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But that’s not to say that the husband-and-wife team hasn’t experienced the ups and downs of owning a restaurant in NYC: After running one of the most acclaimed Thai restaurants in the city for seven years running, Uncle Boons became a pandemic casualty, closing in 2020. The spirit of Boons—one of creative Thai cooking paired with all-American comfort—stayed alive, though, through their follow-up restaurant, Uncle Boons Sister, a casual, dine-in locale that not only helped with overflow but became its own hub for curry dishes and laab. But after transitioning to takeout and delivery only, the restaurant also shuttered its doors in 2020.
All these years later, however, it seems as though Redding and Danzer have retained the keys to that very front door, as the couple is reportedly dropping a brand-new concept in the old storefront.
Come this summer, Mommy Pai’s will open in the 203 Mott Street location. As reported by Eater NY, the new takeout-only spot will be a “Thai chicken fingers and tropical fruit drinks concept,” according to a spokesperson of the restaurant. It seems as though the restaurant idea has quietly been in works for a while, as the first Instagram post announcing the new concept dropped all the way back in September 2024.
Perhaps the old vintage posters and tiki bar touches from Uncle Boons will be revived? We will wait to see what deliciously transpires there come this summer.