Wayla

Located in a basement storefront on Forsyth Street, you might just miss Wayla upon first glance. With little signage pointing you in the right direction, down the steps is a secret Thai restaurant and bar oasis not to be missed. The dark and cavernous spot joins the growing number of nightlife restaurants-slash-bar destinations in the area, with tricks up its sleeve and more soul to set it apart from the pack.  The new LES spot from Northern Tiger’s Erika Chou offers home-style dishes prepared by Chef Tom Naumsuwan like nam prik and sautéed morning glory, inspired by his growing up in Bangkok and hanging out at the markets there. Drinks include "Sway Wayla" (violet butterfly pea flower, with shiso, Brooklyn Gin, lemon and cucumber) and "Golden Cassia" (rye, chrysanthemum, demerara, ginger and Fever tree club soda) or "The Land of Smiles" (Gran Centenario Plata, thai chili, tamarind, cucumber and lemon sea salt). For dessert try Thai Coconut ice cream with an unexpected bite of jackfruit with a mochi-like gumminess. Wayla means "time" in Thai, and you'll want to spend some of yours at their secret backyard decorated with rugs and outdoor chairs with charming lighting. Soon, Wayla will open to-go upstairs with their Little Wayla concept.