Since first opening in Nolita in February 2020, Thai Diner has amassed quite the cult following. Melding Thai cuisine with an old-school diner feel, the beloved spot serves creative Thai dishes with an American comfort food spin, like Thai Disco Fries, Yum Kai Hua Pli, Lobster Omelette Chu Chee, and Chicken Liver Mee Krob. There’s a reason it’s constantly making lists like the best restaurants in the world by Condé Nast and NYC’s top 100 restaurants for 2025 according to the NYT.
Well, word on the street is that owners Ann Redding and Matt Danzer will be adding another restaurant to their portfolio, and naturally we’re pretty geeked at the thought. Though the new concept may not be what you’re expecting.
This summer, Redding and Danzer will open Mommy Pai’s, a takeout “Thai chicken fingers and tropical fruit drinks concept,” as reported by Eater. The space will open down the street from Thai Diner in the former Michelin Star Uncle Boons space (203 Mott Street), which shuttered following the pandemic (we still miss their coconut sundae with peanuts, btw).
As it turns out, it appears that the concept isn’t exactly a new idea, as a post on their Instagram–which stands as the restaurant’s sole post and gives absolutely zero information away about the spot–was posted back in September 2024. The Instagram bio reads:
Coming Soon…Same, Same but Very Different
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that regardless of the very minimal information we have about Mommy Pai’s, we certainly can’t wait for them to open!