New Thai Restaurant To Take Over Longtime UES Spot

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A new Thai restaurant is preparing to open in the longtime Spice Corner space on First Avenue, where its owners hope to continue a roughly 16-year tradition of Thai dining.

Ob Uan is planning to take over 1479 First Ave., between East 77th and East 78th streets, after the owners of Spice Corner decided to sell the business, according to a presentation before the community board.

According to the new restaurant's Instagram, the name Ob Uan is a Thai word describing "the feeling of something gently filling a space through aroma, flavor, sound, and warmth."

"These are the little things that bring back cherished memories," the owners wrote. "At Ob Uan, we hope every visit feels like sharing a home-cooked meal at a friend’s house."

The new restaurant would be the first business for a six-person ownership team, whose members largely have extensive experience in the restaurant industry, representative Anthony Caraballo told the board.

One person involved in the new venture has worked with the existing operation since 2016, providing a connection between the longtime restaurant and its planned successor.

"This is a continuation of fine Thai dining at this spot that's been there for 16 years," Caraballo said.

The restaurant would have 16 tables with 34 seats, along with a small bar seating six people. Its proposed hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

The Ob Uan team appeared before the community board as part of its liquor license application for the restaurant, which was approved on Aug. 4.

Know of a business opening on the Upper East Side? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.