Leroy St. to 18th St., Sixth Ave. to West Side Hwy.
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Everything from this Malaysian restaurant's laid-back and droopy-trousered but deceptively efficient crew to its open kitchen and congenially cramped environs is reminiscent of Chef Zak Pelaccio (5 Ninth)'s late, beloved Williamsburg venture the Chickenbone Cafe. In typical small-plate fashion, diners are encouraged to share, and plates emerge from the open kitchen as they’re ready. Malaysian food, apparently, makes excellent bar snacks: A few items seem designed to accompany an ice-cold beer or two (there are several offbeat choices on the mostly Asian list, including Hitachino’s new Ginger). Meat dishes are unapologetically messy, from the richly lacquered Jalan Alor chicken wings (sweet, sticky, and not too meaty), to the “fatty duck” (three or four brined, steamed, and fried hunks that defy knife, fork, and chopstick), to the pair of sweetly sauced, gratifyingly meaty Heritage Foods pork ribs. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
We met another couple here to enjoy a meal and talk. Forget both. This branch of Fatty Crab's kitchen is not the same as the UWS. The food was pathetic and the service was unabashedly brazen about getting us the hell out. The decibel level of the redundant music was the hint to go elsewhere. Against my better judgement we stayed and endured a series of plates that were at best uninspired and meagre. The slidders were dry, under spiced and had gristle to boot. The fish fry was lame as were the steamed pork buns. The duck breast was mostly fat and bone. A horrible rip off. Zak Pelaccio best take a look here. The before-tip tab was $155 with four glasses of wine. Would not return even if comped.
Two of my girlfriends took me here for my birthday dinner. We started with a large can of Asahi.. and a Shrimp Roll with yummy chips. Then we had the Wonton Mee - probably the best soup I have ever tasted. We were all practically drinking out of the bowl because it was just that good. I could eat that soup everyday. Then we had the Chicken Curry dish - something Lemak? Outstanding- you have to be ready to get in there and cut up the chicken, remove it from the bone, and mix things up. But, that first bite melts in your mouth and all the flavors of cilantro and peanuts, chicken and spicy curry all meld together perfectly. Last thing to arrive to the table was the Chili Crab. Large large portion - we couldn't finish and were so sad to leave those legs in the bowl. It is definitely a lot of work to get the crab meat - with the spicy sauce dripping down your hands and your face sweating from the heat, but the meat is so fresh and FANTASTIC. HIGHLY recommended, will definitely be back!