The Ember Room, NYC

Right off the bat, you could tell this restaurant was all about distinctiveness. From their eccentric dining style down to the decor. By weaving a distinctive Thai essence with delicious American flavors, Ember Room is guaranteed to impress. To my eyes and mouths delight, the restaurant managed to complete the arduous task of blending Asian traditions with American sensibilities. Wood brought in from a barn all the way in Lancaster, PA and Japanese lanterns lit with Thomas Edison light bulbs surrounded the restaurant walls and made the room come alive. Creating a distinctive and beautiful milieu to enjoy. I couldn’t stop staring. So much so, that I didn’t expect that the food could top the surroundings of the restaurant and the ambiance that had been created. Ember Room Cuisine

Japanese Lanterns with Thomas Edison Lightbulbs. Photo Credit: Roy Nachum

While I was enjoying the food with my guest, I noticed a large painting in back of me. It was a child in the forest, protected by an elephant. The painting, created by Roy Nachum was a true eye grabber. The child in the painting was wearing a golden crown, covering his eyes, which I was told represented our blindness to success. The little boy was holding a bright red balloon in the painting. I was told this balloon represented his dream.  “As all of us as humans have a dream,” said our waiter.

The forest surrounding the boy in the painting was representative of the human brain, and last but not least, the elephant in the painting, that I could not keep my eyes off of, is a strong animal, representative of “power and protection,” the waiter told me. I wanted to take it home right away, or at least buy one for myself to hang over my bed. The painting was oil over canvas, overlaid on an innovative type of surface; it was Nachum’s signature one by one pixels. Breathtaking.

“Korean BBQ fried rice with kochujang, kimchi, and crispy shallo,” said the waiter as he gracefully laid the plate down. “We serve our food in an Asian style. Meaning, we place small amounts of food on various plates in the middle of the table, so that the guests can all share and try all of the dishes,” he said.

Gyoza Dumplings with Pulled Pork & Friend Rice with Thai Basil

With chopsticks in hand, I was ready to go. “Out of this world,” I said to my guest. “It’s so many flavors in your mouth, but so delicious,” my guest turned to me and said.  American Asian BBQ  mixed with a hint of Thai fusion? Who would have thought this brilliant culinary idea would be so delicious.

“Asian Goulash Burger with sweet potato fries, cilantro and sesame brioche bun,” he said as he layed the plate down in the middle of the two of us. I admit, with all of these contrasting ingredients, I was apprehensive to take a bite, but when I did, I was not disappointed.

We sat at a small and quaint table, staring at a beautiful painting that really struck me, all afternoon. Sharing dumplings, sweet and sour gyoza, and BBQ fried rice with Thai basil in it. Moving our hands one by one with chopsticks between our anxious fingers, reaching to share the delicious cuisine with one another. Enjoying the afternoon and looking out at the people walking by in the busy city. It was the perfect meal, in one of the most eccentric and distinct Asian fusion spots I’ve ever eaten. Job well done, impression made.