Fuzeburger

The Scene
Adjoining MF Sushibar in the increasingly vibrant Highlands on Ponce corridor, this narrow dining room looks a lot like a hip children's playroom looking out onto the avenue. Bold primary colors lend an air of whimsy to the space's jutting geometrics, and funky, angular place settings glisten. Service is polished and more than willing to discuss the finer points of the menu with the diverse Midtown crowd.

The Food
In a city full of Thai restaurants, Thai Palate's offerings stand out thanks to a pronounced Malaysian influence in the kitchen. For starters, moist ground pork (nam sod) or chicken (larb) is tossed in a brisk chili oil and lemongrass sauce. Indian-style crepes are stuffed with an earthy yellow curry sauce and tender vegetables. An unexpected hint of citrus brightens the green curry sauce that graces a lightly breaded and fried orange roughy entree, while a bed of crisp cabbage provides a cleansing counterpoint to the pungent shrimp paste coating a dish of vegetables and plump prawns.