Elite Event: Tapaz By Topaz

Happy Thai New Year!
My night started making a line for the blessing of the Buddha with some water, after this there were somebody giving away to a few Unilocalers kimonos, but unfortunately they only had one size, so I ended up giving mine to one of my friend.
They had very good selection of food:
Winter Shrimp
Duck Roll
Chicken Curry Puff
Thai Fried Rice
Pad Thai
Boat Noodle Beef
Chicken Dumplings
My favorites were the winter shrimp, duck roll and chicken dumplings, I ending eating this over and over again the whole night.
Drinks:
Water: h2o for those that was not in the mood of drinking.
Singha beers: I am not a fan of Singha beer because of its bitterness and dense, but I drink this the whole night.
The owner spoke telling us the meaning of blessing and the water war.
Thanks Ruggy and Tapaz by Topaz for this event and Happy Thai New Year!

From putting water on the buddha to sampling various thai cuisines in a flowery thai new year shirt, this was a fun Unilocal event at Tapaz by Topaz. The fried papaya and pad thai were tasty. I think the show stopper was the bacon wrapped shrimp that really hit the spot. The chicken and shrimp dumplings were plentiful and the staff there really was very accomodating. Great idea to have the super soaker out, a little water never hurt anyone! Singha beer is always a good choice at a thai restaurant, overall another fun filled Unilocal event.

This was my first Elite Event in Manhattan in a couple of months (after my first EVER event in Queens the night before). We were immediately instructed to pour some water on a thai monument for the New Year which was a fun introduction to the intimate space upstairs. A few minutes later, I was adorned in a festive Thai shirt, which was a mix of Hawaiian meets Nurse Jackie. And the fun began.
As someone who has traveled to Thailand, I forgot how refreshing Singha beer was. Maybe it tastes a little bit better when you’re paying in baht and it’s about $ 1.00 per bottle, but still it brought back memories. The bartenders were quick and attentive.
The food didn’t leave me dissapointed. I enjoyed the deep fried papaya salad a lot, although I think it got some mixed reviews from others. The mini pad thais were delicious and they kept bringing food out, so I don’t feel like anybody was left out. Some other notable bites were: the duck rolls, chicken dumplings, and winter shrimp in bacon. There was a super spicy choice which my friend Alejandro wisely told me to avoid, knowing my disdain for hot items.
A few folks were shooting super soakers as they were instructed because of the Thai New Year. I somehow managed to avoid getting wet in the mêlée.
I’d like to visit the downstairs restaurant at some point after this succesful event. Great job to the Unilocal crew for hooking us up.

This place combines hospitality with amazing food.
I truly learned about Thai culture and values, and enjoyed the immersive experience. TBT was generous enough to provide us with colorful shirts to put us guests in the party spirit (brought me back to those elementary school days when Hawaiian tshirts were popular).The owner explained how people in Thailand celebrate New Years, linking water with a fresh new start («Apparently, it translated into the world’s largest water fight,» he added, «which is why we have super soakers in the corner»)
I loved the food here. I started off with some crispy poofy fried chip things and some peanut sauce. I tried papaya in a way I’d never had it: deep fried and tossed with a citrus-​based dressing (it’s a good thing I had a volleyball game afterwards to burn off those delicious calories). I savored the best spring role I’ve ever had, with juicy duck surrounded by a crispy deep fried crust. I got to test my heat endurance by trying some spicy beef over rice, and I got to wash it down with some Singha beer. (Heeding the words of caution from the staff and knowing my friends Jon B. and Alan B. are not fans of anything too spicy, I volunteered as tribute to test the waters. It was well worth it, but my mouth was tingling for a while because of the high heat, just the way I like it).
I’m sold: I need to come back here! Fortunately, I’ve got a relative who works in the area, so next time I get to pick the restaurant, I know where we’re going!
I’m very grateful to have been able to attend. Thanks to the staff of Tapaz by Topaz for looking out after us Unilocal Elites. Thanks as always to Ruggy and the Unilocal NY-​Manhattan Crew for providing us with memorable experiences and connecting us with awesome restaurants like TBT.

Beware of the super soakers! Actually, getting hit with some light rain water was refreshing in the tiny confines of the packed but very delicious Tapaz by Topaz restaurant. Immediately upon arrival I was greeted kindly and offered to sprinkle and throw water mixed with flower petals at their Buddah statue as a blessing and in honor of their new year celebration. Then the fun began with being given a light-​wear kimono shirt in a variety of colorful floral patterns. We were Unilocaling and Styling!
Singha beer kept us refreshed all night along with a variety and pretty vast array of traditional light thai bites. My favorites were the duck rolls — juicy with a hint of sweet and sour sauce and diced carrots on the bottom. Their pork and chicken dumplings were also good. I don’t think I’ve ever had thai dumplings before and found them very flavorful and their skins stuffed to the brim. The fried winter shrimp wrapped in bacon was both crispy and sweet with hints of coconut. And lastly the pad thai packed a ton of flavor and is a traditional favorite of mine. The only thing I couldn’t care for was the papaya pok pok (deep fried papaya salad). Super salty fried food with fresh lime juice was all I could taste and couldn’t stomach much after a bite or two. The spicy beef on the rice mixture though was outstanding and legit spicy. I love spicy and had to chug my Singha after that one but I enjoyed it very much. Thanks Ruggy for another awesome event and introducing us to this restaurant in midtown.

Happy Thai New Year! Good times.
Beautiful little space (though kind of hard to find). After being greeted by Ruggy, we went over to pour flower scented water over the Buddha as a blessing for the new year. A good number of the crowd had on brightly colored floral shirts, which looked very festive. Food was circulating around and I tried the dumplings, spring rolls, papaya salad, spicy chicken and rice, and pad thai. Also, a big bowl of shrimp chips in the corner. Those were so addicting! Great with a couple Singha beers.
It was nice that the owner gave a little speech about Thai New Year and the significance of the traditions observed (especially the splashing of water). A few Unilocalers got ahold of the super soakers and were spraying the room. Thanks to Ruggy and Topaz for a fun event!

Fun event to celebrate Thai New Year!
This review is going to sound like it has a lot of euphemisms, but I swear, they’re not! We splashed the Buddha, dipped some shrimp chips, grabbed some dumplings, shot some super soakers, and downed some Singhas.
I really liked the chicken and shrimp dumplings (very reminiscent of shumai). There was also a spicy chicken and rice dish which was S-​P-​I-​C-​Y. There was also papaya salad and these cigar-​ish things.
The space was cozy, and it seemed like a good time was had by all. Thanks to Singha for keeping the booze flowing, to Topaz for supplying the eats and the education on New Year. And of course, thanks to Ruggy and Unilocal for organizing a fun event!

wowzerz! simply blown away by the food here! such delicious (and from what I hear, authentic) thai food experience. really had to fight people off for the bacon wrapped popcorn shrimp. fortunately, the fried papaya and pad Thai was in abundance.
such a nice and engaging staff, especially marcus (?) who talked us threw the Thai new year traditions.
thanks ruggy! thanks Unilocal

This was such a great event and pretty special to be able to attend, given that I have been to Thailand during the Thai New Year before! I knew all about the Thai tradition and I loved that the staff here educated everyone about blessing the buddah and the meaning of Song Kran (play water). My plus one was my friend who did the Peace Corps in Thailand for 2 years, so it was great to bring her a guest.
The event was so festive, from the flower necklaces to the flower shirts and the «gold» sacred cups, for which I used to drink my Singha beer out of. The food tastings were all delicious, lots of flavor and even some Thai spice! I tried the pad thai, the meat-​filled spring roll, the rice with spice thai curry and also the papaya salad. I would’ve preferred that to not be fried, as it typically isn’t, but I guess they are catering to their American, fried-​food loving crowd.
The event was a good size, and by that I mean, not too big. Still only one bathroom, which wasn’t fun after 3 Singha’s and a line! The bartenders were friendly, and impressed with my friends Thai speaking skills.
I’d definitely come back here for a full meal since I can hands down say Thai is my favorite cuisine! Thanks Ruggy for introducing me to a new spot to get my Thai fix. You looked great in flowers, but you knew that. And a thank you to the great staff here, you were all very helpful and accommodating!

It’s always tough for me to get to Unilocal Events when they begin at 6pm because 6pm is pretty much the earlier I can leave my office… and 6:30pm is generally more of my comfort zone. Today in particular I left work at like 6:07pm and by the time the MTA had its way with me, it was like 7:12pm and I was just arriving. With less than an hour left for the event I was a tiny, teeny bit tempted to just go home. MAN, am I glad I didn’t!
Upon walking in I was kindly greeted and offered an opportunity to baptize their Buddha. It’s apparently something good to do upon entering as it shows respect, reverence and also brings about positivity.
I was given a small gold metal bowl (with very intricate designs etched on the outside) with amazingly scented rose water (pink rose petals and all!) and instructed to pour a little bit on their Buddha statue’s head and then splash a little bit on the person beside me as a sign of good faith and again, positivity. My friend Anna F. and I each did this and then splashed a little water on each other. Happy Thai New Year!
Now, I did arrive a little over an hour late so upon walking around a bit I realized everyone was pretty much wearing cotton, kimono-​like tops. These were distributed earlier but I managed to get one from a waiter behind the bar. It was definitely the last one and it’s beautiful! Hooray!
Singha was the designated beer sponsor and it was pretty much free flowing all night in both bottle and draft. Singha is a pleasant lager brewed Euro style by Boon Raws Brewery in Thailand. It’s good stuff and pairs well with Thai food… which brings me to food…
Food wise I only got to try 1 thing and that was their spicy beer with a little bit of white rice. I had 2 little servings of the same thing because even though my tolerance for spicy foods is subpar to most people I know, it was just THAT DELICIOUS! Both times I ended up having to guzzle copious amounts of water because someone didn’t learn their spicy lesson the first time and their upper lip began to burn. It’s okay though, my buddy Singha bottle was there to help out #ThumbsUp.
In all this was a really fantastic event in a beautiful restaurant with some of the friendliest restaurant staff I’ve ever encountered at a Unilocal Elite Event. Delicious food, refreshing brews, good friends, new Unilocalers and I got to keep a little golden bowl (was told it was okay) and my cotton, floral print Thai top. Whoo hoo!
Many thanks to Tapaz for hosting us and thank you to Ruggy, Unilocal and all those involved in putting this event together. Kob Khun Ka! (that’s ‘thank you’ in Thai).

Soooo my favorite part of the night was blessing the room with a loaded super soaker! Yassssss just kidddding although splashing water on each other is a beautiful Thai tradition for the New Year. I absolutely loved the welcoming we had pouring water onto the Buddha to express new year and fresh start. Its always nice to start new! The staff most definitely gave us the feeling of the Thai New Yr with the beautiful floral shirts they gave out and the gold shot glasses/​bowls.
Anyhow this place is very pretty and dimly lit. Loved the pretty little chandeliers that they had. This is only my second time eating Thai food and I really liked it. Most items were spicy which is totally fine by me because Im all about the spice! My favorite was the crust with the spicy beef filling. I definitely enjoyed the Thai beer, which Ive never seen before. There was plenty of food to go around and tons of great people. Happy I was able to make it and represent Brooklyn!
Thank you Tapaz for your wonderful hospitality and of course Ruggy! I will definitely be returning!