The Rise and Fall of Look by Plant Love House, a Beloved Thai Restaurant in Brooklyn

Look by Plant Love House was a beloved Thai restaurant in Brooklyn, New York that sadly closed its doors in January 2022 after 7 years of serving up authentic and delicious Thai cuisine. In its prime, Look by Plant Love House was considered one of the best Thai restaurants in Brooklyn and had garnered rave reviews for dishes like their num tok noodle soup, spring rolls, and curry puffs.

I first heard about Look by Plant Love House back in 2015 when they first opened their original location in Elmhurst, Queens. The restaurant was founded by Manadsanan Sutipayakul and her two daughters and son, who wanted to bring the flavors of authentic Thai cooking to New York City Even from the early days, Look by Plant Love House was earning accolades for dishes like their homemade pork dumplings, crispy fried tofu, and North-Eastern style pork sausage. The savory, complex flavors were a delightful change from the overly sweetened Thai food I’d had at other restaurants in the city

Within less than a year the Sutipayakul family decided to relocate Look by Plant Love House to Prospect Heights Brooklyn. The new location on Washington Avenue gave them more room to showcase their talents. Prospect Heights residents, myself included, were thrilled to have such an amazing Thai restaurant right in the neighborhood.

I still remember my first meal at the Prospect Heights location vividly. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted warmly by the staff and seated at a table near the window. I decided to start with the vegetable spring rolls, which were perfectly crispy and came with a tangy sweet chili sauce for dipping. For my entree, I ordered the pad thai with shrimp, which had a wonderful smoky flavor from the grilled shrimp and distinct sweet and sour notes. Everything tasted so fresh and well-balanced. It was clear that the family poured their heart and soul into preparing authentic Thai dishes.

Over the next few years, Look by Plant Love House continued to be my go-to for Thai takeout and delivery. I probably ordered from them at least twice a month, rotating between favorites like the pad thai, panang curry, and khao soi noodle soup. Many friends and co-workers I recommended the restaurant to also became regulars. We’d frequently place large group takeout orders for birthdays, office celebrations, or nights when none of us felt like cooking.

While the flavor and consistency of the food remained excellent, I could tell Look by Plant Love House was struggling, especially once COVID-19 hit. The warm, bustling dining room was now empty as people avoided eating out. In the summer of 2021, the owners sadly announced they were closing their Kensington location, called Mondayoff. I hoped this would allow them to focus their efforts on the original Prospect Heights restaurant.

Unfortunately, the challenges of the pandemic ultimately proved too much. In January 2022, Look by Plant Love House posted on social media that they were closing the location indefinitely while trying to negotiate their lease. Just a few weeks later, the news became final – Look by Plant Love House had permanently closed.

The community was heartbroken to lose this beloved restaurant. An outpouring of gratitude and memories were shared across social media from loyal regulars like myself. The consistently delicious food, welcoming service, and transportive flavors will be missed. I’m grateful to Manadsanan Sutipayakul and her family for sharing the gift of authentic Thai cuisine with Brooklyn for over 7 years.

Though Look by Plant Love House is now just a fond memory, we still have their last remaining outpost, Noods n’ Chill, in Williamsburg. I plan to visit soon to get my fix of their pad thai and curry puffs. The owners have said they have no plans to open another restaurant, which is understandable given the difficulties of the past few years. I thank them for their years of dedication and wish them the best in their next chapter.

To recap the rise and fall of this beloved restaurant:

• Look by Plant Love House originally opened in 2015 in Elmhurst, Queens

• Relocated to Prospect Heights, Brooklyn less than a year later

• Known for Thai specialities like num tok noodle soup, spring rolls, and curry puffs

• Run by Manadsanan Sutipayakul and her family

• Garnered devoted regulars with its authentic Thai flavors

• Struggled during the pandemic, closing its Kensington location in 2021

• Closed permanently in January 2022 due to lease issues and pandemic difficulties

• Left a lasting legacy and impression on Brooklyn’s food scene

• Last remaining location is Noods n’ Chill in Williamsburg

Though the original Look by Plant Love House is gone, it will live on in my memories as one of the best Thai restaurants I’ve experienced. I’m glad I could be a small part of their story over the years. This is a cautionary tale of how difficult the restaurant industry has become, but also a celebration of the Sutipayakul family’s talents and perseverance. Their food made an impact, and they will be missed.