Just like there is Northern Indian vs Southern Ind...

Just like there is Northern Indian vs Southern Indian, Northern Vietnamese vs Southern Vietnamese cuisine, there is Northern Thai and Southern Thai food.

Most Thai restaurant in the US tend to be Southern - more sugar, with pineapple, coconut, tamarind and sweet addition. Kin Khao resembles Northern Thai food - more sour and savory, less sugar, more herbal.

And definitely : No Pad Thai. In fact if you ask for it, you will be "invited" to the neighbouring Siam Kitchen.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect at this One Michelin star restaurant.

FOOD: 5/5
Not sweet (yes!) and therefore it allow the herbal taste of Thai cuisine to shine through. You have anything from light, vegan numbers to more filling choices (like curry, noodle). Also a vast array of beer, fun cocktails and Thai tea/coffee for beverages.

Must try: Mushroom terrine (appertizer) and noodles (though it seems water-based noodles are lunch only items).

SERVICE: 4/5
Food comes out very fast. Servers very courteous but also super strict regarding restaurant's rules.

For example, they will not serve you or seat you if your full party isn't present. You cannot cheat by ordering ahead and saving seats with shopping bags. Saw a couple waiting for friends, who after 20 minutes were asked to remove their bags (rather loudly by waitresses) to make room for other diners. I think they should not have seated them, rather than allowing them to sit then make a ruckus later. Hence 4 star for service.

LOCATION: 5/5
Inside a Hilton at Union Square, ample parking around/easy to walk to from public transit stations. However space is TINYYYY and fill up quick.

DECOR: 5/5
Definitely one of the cleanest, most modern Thai places I've been to.