Sambal, Irvington

Speaking to the Daily Voice, chef Lucky Thai claimed she prefers her food "big and bold." That preference is found all over the dishes at Sambal, the upscale Thai eatery she commands with owner and fellow chef Navjot Arora. For example, Lucky's favorite dish, the chicken rendang, turns chicken thighs spicy and juicy with piquant seasonings, lemongrass, and coconut. The gang dang also brings the heat with mixed veggies and bamboo shoots covered in a red curry paste.

This commitment to traditional flavors has brought the spot plenty of accolades from newspapers and foodie blogs alike. That same Daily Voice spread notes that Sambal "honors the best of authentic Thai cuisine with organic ingredients, exotic herbs, and well-balanced dishes." Meanwhile, the Hudson Independent notes that the satays and spring rolls—go-tos for many diners—are "perfectly prepared."

This top-tier execution is found in the restaurant's Malaysian specialities, too, which come courtesy of Navjot Arora. Having traveled extensively in Southeast Asia to flesh out his CV, Arora's contributions to the menu include palate-whetting curry puffs drizzled with tamarind mayo and mango chicken, a sweet-and-sour concoction that results in succulent fall-off-the-bone meat.