Spice (Upper West Side)

Where to eat Thai food that’s quick but still tastes like it’s been simmered all afternoon? Head to Spice (Upper West Side) at 435 Amsterdam Ave and you’ll find tables turning over fast enough for lunch rather than a three-hour dinner. Expect comfy dishes that lean toward the familiar—think pad thai without a labyrinth of substitutions. The menu keeps things lean: lunch and dinner service, cocktails that arrive before the appetizers land, and a selection of teas worth sipping even if you skipped dinner. Solo diners can slide into a booth without feeling like an afterthought, while beer and coffee sit on the same line as the happy-hour specials. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t ask you to choose between speed and flavor. Need directions? Grab them from the map listing, then call ahead: (212) 362-5861. After that, the only decision left is whether the lemongrass soup shows up before the curry.