9D

1/2 Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill needs another Thai restaurant like it needs more baby strollers and SUVs. I can think of at least five off the top of my head, and so far I've been less than impressed. It sucks having to go to Queens just to satisfy a Thai urge, no spontaneity. And no, 9-D hasnt rectified the situation. But it is one of the closest restaurants to my apt., the food isnt heinous and the dcor is soothing, a notch above what I'd expected from the former Josies Java space (the illuminated sign still sits above the store front—a memorial to Josie?).

The dishes are carefully plated, presentation is important, they have a wine list, lots of silk pillows with elephants on them, and light jazz tinkles in the background. It could be a tourist restaurant in Bangkok. Which isnt a bad thing compared to others in the area.

Our appetizer, a seafood salad, was on the small side, which was too bad because it was quite good. The entrees were healthier in proportion. Duck in three forms was being pushed as the Sunday night special—isnt that what they do when they want to get rid of something? No matter, I love water fowl. We tried basil duck, which tasted almost Chinese, flavorful, but not a bit of spice. The penang beef was also picked from their small list of curries (only three: penang, massamun and green). It was done right with little coconut cream drizzles and kaffir lime shreds. It's the little touches that give me faith.

What I don't have faith in are horrible know-it-all BoCoCa (barf) residents who insist on asking for chopsticks. How do you get people to stop asking for chopsticks in Thai restaurants, anyway? I don't care if it makes me a “no lattes after breakfast” snob. There are rules in this world, and even the upscale Brooklyn bohos need to follow them. (6/5/05)

I'd almost forgotten that we live only two blocks from a Thai restaurant. And I really shouldn't complain about the mediocrity of Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Thai food because I frequently get Chinese delivery of the General Tso, crab Rangoon persuasion and don't hold it to higher standards. It is what it is, and honestly, 9D isn't soul crushing.

We asked for spicy over the phone and it really was perky, way more so than what typically passes for hot in NYC. Unfortunately, we had their old menu, not the expanded one, so our choices were limited. And I still don't get why they don't serve pork. Some of my favorite Thai dishes (which aren't at most restaurants any way) are reliant on crispy gooey porcine flesh. We had drunken noodles (not like my inebriated version), gai pad krapao and red curry beef. As much as I would like to, I really can't complain about any of it. (11/16/05)

9-D * 460 Court St., Brooklyn, NY