Uptown's Malai Kitchen Launches Chef's Tasting Menu This Friday

[Photo: Malai Kitchen/Facebook]

West Village staple Malai Kitchen, known for fresh takes on Thai and Vietnamese classics plus Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails and house-brewed beer (not to mention the housemade coconut milk and sriracha) is adding something new to its repertoire: a tasting menu.

Starting this Friday, owners Braden and Yasmin Wages will offer a rotating monthly menu of four courses for $58 per person (tack on an extra $30 for wine pairings) — and the entire table must order the tasting menu, so don't invite any picky eaters.) Per a press release, "The menu features Braden’s interpretations of dishes the couple tasted during their extensive travels throughout Southeast Asia."

Scope out the inaugural menu and wine pairings, below:

Smoked Duck Breast (Sapa, Northern Vietnam)

jasmine green tea, cassia bark, star anise, and coriander smoked Maple Farms duck breast

fried egg strings, black wood ear mushrooms, bean sprout and mint salad

Vignes D'Alexandre, 2012, Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, FR

Vietnamese Scampi Soup (Dalat, Central Vietnam Highlands)

lemongrass and kaffir shrimp broth

egg, PEI Mussels, black tiger shrimp, asparagus, cloud-ear mushrooms, Parilla mint, cilantro

Denis Carre Aligote, 2011, Burgundy, FR

Curried Beef Short Rib (Satun Provence, Southern Thai Border)

Braden's southern Thai sour and spicy curry slow braised Niman Ranch beef short rib

coconut basmati rice, baby bok mieu

Bleasdale Shiraz, 2010, Australia

Custard (Phetcharaburi, South-Central Thailand)

taro root and dark rum coconut milk custard

coconut gelato, tart tamarind caramel

Thanisch Reisling Kabinett, 2011, Bernkasteler Doctor Vineyard, GER