Centennial Properties NY Spotlight: Soothr

This East Village Thai noodle restaurant has stolen the hearts of New York City locals and visitors — and for obvious reason. Pronounced "Sood," which translates to "recipe," Soothr was the brainchild of a group of really close friends who grew up in different regions in Thailand with one goal in mind: to share their favorite recipes with the rest of the world.

Their menu features recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, with a focus on various noodle recipes, so customers get to enjoy the food that played such a special part in their upbringing. When you eat at Soothr, you are being invited to sit at their table for a Thai family meal.

"Thai people love and enjoy their food, and the table family style of dining is definitely a culture," says Chidensee Watthanawongwat, one of Soothr's partners. "We believe that sharing is caring, and we want our customers to feel that warm, inviting environment the second they walk through our doors. We want to transport people to Bangkok and recreate the food, service, and vibes of the bustling back alley of Yaowarat Road (also known as Bangkok's revered ChinaTown) where you can get the best food in the city."

Soothr recently made Conde Nast Traveler's The Best New Restaurants in the World: 2021 Hot List, a feat that's all the more incredible by the fact that Soothr opened during the middle of a pandemic. When asked about the most challenging part of running a restaurant during a pandemic, Chi said "everything."

"The hardest decision we had to make was opening the doors when we were allowed to have dine-in service and only doing takeout. We had to do everything on our own, from buying ingredients to prep work to cooking. With no help from PPP, we had to find a way to survive," he says. "Patronage from friends, family, and the neighborhood helped get us to where we are today. And we're grateful people were open-minded to ordering from new places during that time."

At Centennial Properties NY, it's been an inspiration watching Soothr's success story, especially after all they've overcome during the pandemic. We were so happy to be able to accommodate their needs by letting them use some more space during the peak of the pandemic, and we're so excited to see what else they'll accomplish over the next few years.

"NYC people love restaurants and NYC restaurants love NYC people," says Chi. "It's a lifestyle and a culture."

New York City is a go-to hub for food and drink lovers, but it's also about finding the spaces that make people feel at home. That's what Soothr is — a home away from home. So go check out their website, take a peek at their menu, and if you haven't tried their restaurant yet, we recommend it as soon as possible.