BWW Preview: PINTO GARDEN Finds a New Home in the West Village

Nestled in the West Village on Greenwich Avenue is Pinto Garden, a neighborhood Thai restaurant where Chef Teerawong Nanthavatsiri, commonly known as Yo, incorporates locally sourced ingredients with some of his favorite dishes growing up in Thailand. Pinto Garden is the latest restaurant venture by Nanthavatsiri and his second restaurant opening this year, following the debut of sister restaurant, Pinto Brooklyn Heights.

The concept for Pinto Garden began at Pinto, a Thai restaurant Nanthavatsiri opened on Christopher Street in 2006. Inspired by a stage at Per Se and prompting from Thomas Keller, Nanthavatsiri closed the doors to Pinto and opened Pinto Garden on 10th Street, with a renewed focus on locally sourced ingredients and truly authentic Thai recipes.

Hailing from Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, Nanthavatsiri originally moved to New York City to study theater at Columbia University and pursue an acting career. He started working in restaurants to support his new life in New York. Drawing parallels between the two careers, Nanthavatsiri eventually relinquished a career in acting to pursue a culinary one.

"I like to imagine I'm the director looking into the culinary world to create a show," said Nanthavatsiri. "Chefs, like actors, have to train for their roles. Every day is a rehearsal and when it's time for dinner service, it's my time to perform,"

Inspired by dishes from every region of Thailand, Nanthavatsiri incorporates flavors and ingredients that are geographically and culturally representative of the specific area. Items used in Pinto Garden's seasonal menu are thoughtfully sourced through New York City's Greenmarket Company, an opportunity to support local and regional food producers and to guarantee that Pinto Garden's dishes are always fresh and representative of the restaurant's New York location

Current dishes to spotlight are "KO-RAE" Chicken Wings, fried chicken wings marinated with Southern Thai spices; Duck Confit Flat Bread made with roti bread and flavored with duck confit, pickled carrot and sriracha emulsion; Koi Neur, a dish that's traditionally found in the Northeast region of Thailand featuring a filet mignon tartare topped with a quail egg and dressed in mint, kaffir, shallots, spicy lime and fish sauce; "NUM YA" Pu Pasta, a Southern Thai curry pasta with jumbo lump crab; Pumpkin Vegetarian Curry commonly found in the Central region of Thailand using baked root vegetable, kabocha pumpkin and homemade Panang curry paste; and "KAU-KLING" Berkshire Baby Ribs, slow cooked ribs with Bird's Eye Chili, Ancho chile and herbs from the Southern region of Thailand. These assertive and aromatic dishes are complemented by the Crab Fried Rice in Young Coconut, Ginger Rice and homemade Roti. A family-style presentation creates a convivial eating experience that echoes the communal ethos of traditional Thai dinners. A selection of beer, wine, tea and coffee make up the beverage menu.

"In Thailand, family style dinner is very important because it allows us to bring all our family members together, sharing both food and conversation while enhancing the relationships that bind us together," added Nanthavitsiri. "I decided to serve the food at Pinto Garden family-style so guests can experience the Thai way of eating and sharing."

Further creating a feeling of togetherness is the homey, welcoming design of Pinto Garden that's quintessential of the West Village. Images and replicas of rabbits are subtly, but recognizably placed throughout the restaurant, beginning with the door knob of the bright Sky Blue front door that welcomes guests into the main dining room and pays homage to the chef's mother and the late Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who were both born in the Year of the Rabbit. Floor to ceiling brick wall towards the front of the room and an eye-catching brick fireplace add to the warm, inviting vibe of Pinto Garden.

The restaurant is graced with a picturesque back garden room that's covered with a transparent ceiling allowing natural light to brightly shine through during the day. The space seamlessly transforms into a romantic, magical atmosphere at night. Three large floral chandeliers proudly hang at the highest point of the ceiling above a long dining room table that comfortably seats 12 guests. The entire back garden accommodates 30 seated and 50 standing and can be rented out for private parties.

Pinto Garden is located at 117 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011. It is currently open for dinner, seven days a week on Sunday - Thursday from 5:00 - 10:30pm EST and Friday - Saturday 5:00 - 11:30pm EST. The hours will eventually extend to brunch service on the weekends and lunch service on the weekdays. Nanthavitsiri is joined by General Manager, Koby Songyoo, and Chef de Cuisine, Tong Rattanun.

For more information please visit www.pintogarden.com or call 212.366.5455. Follow Pinto Garden on Instagram and Twitter at @pinto_nyc and Like on Facebook at facebook.com/pintogarden.

Photo Credit: Mikey Asanin