Café Y Taberna

Thai food lovers will not be disappointed by the fare offered at this tiny, quiet joint in Wan Chai. As evidenced by a few proverbs scribbled on the wall, the owners of this eatery are Christian, but the religious theme is not at all palpable.

The restaurant is furnished in a chic and inviting manner. You can take the street-side seats, but the current construction site outside make it a less appealing option. The chicken and pork skewers were pretty impressive; we fell in love with the satay sauce instantly. Unlike common, mass-produced sauce, it was a smooth paste mixed with chunks of peanuts—a perfect complement to the tender, lemongrass-marinated meat. The stir-fried morning glory is slightly spicier than what we’re used to, but the fiery taste of the chilies doesn’t stop you from wanting more.

We also ordered a pad thai, which was cooked correctly so that the noodles didn’t clump together. Our dinner was finished with the grilled pork neck, and you could smell the distinctive aroma of the charcoal grill from the dish. During our dinner, we also saw people sitting down for a casual drink; a range of coffees—from espresso and cappuccino to a flat white—is also available. Definitely a good spot to chill out with friends.