Look by Plant Love House – An Authentic Thai Destination in Brooklyn

Tucked away on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn lies a hidden gem serving up authentic Thai flavors – Look by Plant Love House. As a Thai food lover I was thrilled to discover this under-the-radar restaurant which has fast become my go-to spot for crave-worthy Southeast Asian cuisine.

An Inside Look at Look by Plant Love House

Look by Plant Love House opened its doors in Brooklyn after gaining popularity at the original location in Queens The cozy restaurant exudes Thai charm with bamboo screens, colorful lanterns, and greenery.

Chef Vanda Asapahu, a native of Thailand, heads up the kitchen. Her extensive culinary training in Bangkok shines through in the array of Thai classics and specialties gracing the menu. While Look by Plant Love House stays true to tradition, Chef Vanda infuses her own unique touches into each dish.

The menu spans an array of Thai appetizers, soups, curries, noodles, rice dishes, and more. Fiery Thai spice levels range from mild to very spicy for customizable heat. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available.

Some standouts on the menu include:

• Khao Soi – Chiang Mai-style curry noodles

• Boat Noodles – Tiny rice noodles in an intense, complex broth

• Massaman Curry – Slow-cooked beef in a rich, peanutty curry

• Thai Ice Tea – An aromatic black tea infused with spices

• Mango Sticky Rice – Sweetened coconut rice with fresh mango

In addition to dine-in and takeout, Look by Plant Love House offers delivery through services like Grubhub and Seamless. They’ve cultivated quite the following, evident by the overwhelming 5-star online reviews.

Authentic Thai Flavors That Transport You

As a self-proclaimed Thai food aficionado, I’m quite picky when it comes to finding authentic cuisine that takes me back to the streets of Bangkok. Many Thai restaurants cater to Americanized tastes, but not Look by Plant Love House.

The flavors at Look instantly transport me to Thailand. Each dish bursts with aromatic herbs, pungent curry pastes, fresh chilies, zesty citrus, and other staples of Thai cooking. The portions are generous, with high-quality proteins like succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and marbled beef.

Even basic menu items like pad thai and fried rice take it to the next level. The pad thai boasts wok-seared noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, tart tamarind, and plump shrimp. It puts all other pad thai I’ve tried to shame. The crab fried rice combines jasmine rice, egg, onions, tomatoes, crab meat, and scallions for an umami flavor bomb.

I especially appreciate how the kitchen adjusts spice levels to your preference. For me, medium spice provides the perfect amount of lingering heat to let complex flavors shine through. Those with timid palates can request it mild. Brave souls can amp it up to sriracha-induced perspiration.

Why Look by Plant Love House Stands Out

In a city brimming with Thai restaurants, what sets Look apart? Here are a few reasons it has emerged as my favorite:

• Authenticity – The flavors are true to Thailand, not Americanized fusion versions. Chef Vanda uses traditional cooking techniques and ingredients.

• Variety – From familiar takeout staples to lesser known Thai specialties, there’s something for every mood and palate.

• Customization – You can customize spice level, proteins, veggies, and more to your preferences.

• Consistency – Each dish consistently delivers full, bold Thai flavor. Quality never wavers.

• Service – The staff provides top-notch, friendly service for a welcoming experience.

• Delivery – With reliable delivery partners, I can satisfy my Thai cravings without leaving home.

• Value – Portions are generous and prices reasonable, especially compared to Manhattan Thai spots.

For authentic Thai in a relaxed environment with attentive service, Look by Plant Love House stands head and shoulders above the competition.

Tantalizing Thai Dishes to Try at Look

While everything on the menu will leave your tastebuds singing at Look by Plant Love House, these are some personal favorites not to miss:

Khao Soi

This Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup is complex, creamy, and packed with flavor. Egg noodles swim in a rich broth with chicken, crispy noodles, pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime, and chili oil.

Panang Curry

Panang curry has a peanutty taste from ground nuts and a velvety texture from coconut milk. Slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone beef combines with zucchini, bell peppers, basil, and lime leaves.

Pad Thai with Shrimp

The pad thai here deserves its own accolades. Rice noodles wok-fried with shrimp, tofu, egg, tamarind, fish sauce, peanuts, and bean sprouts for the ultimate salty-sour-spicy balance.

Tom Yum Goong

This hot and sour shrimp soup teems with plump shrimp, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chilies in a savory, tart broth.

Mango Sticky Rice

A refreshing dessert of sweet sticky rice with fresh mango slices and drizzled coconut cream. The perfect sweet finish to a spicy meal.

Tips for the Best Dining Experience

To help you make the most of your visit to Look by Plant Love House, here are my tips:

• Request mild or medium spice unless you have an asbestos tongue. Authentic Thai spice levels are intense.

• Take a look at the menu online first to plan what to order from the diverse options.

• Allow time to savor the complex layers of flavors instead of inhaling the food.

• Order an array of menu items to sample curries, noodles, apps, and more.

• Save room for mango sticky rice dessert, a sweet treat not to miss.

• For takeout or delivery, request extra sauce packets to enjoy with leftovers.

• Ask questions – the staff is happy to explain dishes and make recommendations.

• Bring cash for tipping, though they do accept credit cards.

• Make a reservation on weekends when waits can exceed an hour at peak times.

• For the best value, take advantage of lunch specials available daily.

Why I Recommend Look by Plant Love House

In a city saturated with Thai restaurants of varying quality, Look by Plant Love House stands out for its authenticity, variety, and skilled execution of Southeast Asian cuisine. Chef Vanda honors tradition while putting her own creative spin on Thai staples and lesser-known specialties.

The flavors transport me to the streets of Thailand with each bite. Fragrant curries, punchy noodles, and fresh herbs and spices dazzle the palate. Whether you’re new to Thai or a connoisseur, Look deserves a spot at the top of your Brooklyn restaurant bucket list for an extraordinary culinary experience.