Chao Krung

Open since 1969, Chao Krung is officially the oldest Thai restaurant in the city. But it wasn’t until a recent revamp of both the menu and the space itself that this family-run spot on Fairfax went from being a neighborhood standby to a place you seek out. While Chao Krung’s menu is littered with standout dishes (including an excellent pad thai), the strength of the place lies in its curries. The kaeng ped yang (red duck curry with pineapple) is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, while the sweet-ish kaeng hung-ley with braised pork belly is one of the more unique curries you'll find in this part of town. Plus, with its revamped space—complete with a wraparound bar, a few TVs, and big windows looking out at CBS Studios—it’s a good option for a casual midweek date.