Laut with Abe

One of the fun things about living in a city like NYC, is that while seems enormous, it can feel quite small.  Especially if you're of the downtown sort, you'll end up running into all sorts of other downtown sorts from all walks of you life. So running into Abe was just one of those things (though okay, I didn't run into him downtown), but both our offices were, so we promptly made a lunch date. I've ordered dinner from Laut 
a Malaysian Thai restaurant (I seem to remember the chef is Malaysian) and had been rather impressed. I can't speak for authenticity, but the refinement of flavors and textures from say another Malaysian favorite like Nyonya was pretty great.  I ended up ordering the glass noodles (not pictured) and realized I had already tried it, but also reminded how great it was.  I really have to go back dinner some time. Pictured is the Tom Kha noodle soup, looked delicious and one of Abe's favorite. 
Laut, 15 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 (btwn Broadway and 5th Ave)