Similan on the Bay Comes to Rockaway

By Katie McFadden

Step into Similan on the Bay and you’ll feel like you’re on a boat, transporting you to the islands of Thailand, where you’ll embark on an authentic culinary journey. Rockaway’s newest Thai restaurant is now open.

For those who miss Thai Rock, Thai cuisine is back where it once was at 375 Beach 92nd Street. But while memories of Thai Rock sail on since it closed in August 2024, Similan on the Bay brings in not only a new name, but a new menu, new drinks, a new look from floor to ceiling, and a whole new experience.

Get ready to be impressed as Similan looks nothing like its predecessor that introduced Thai food to the peninsula. Everything from the ceiling to the floors to the bars, the deck and even the bathrooms have been completely redone, giving customers a feel of being on a yacht, with aqua blue and sand-colored seating, seashell shaped bar stools, and even mini wooden ship and lighthouse replicas dotted around the dining room. Step on to the back deck to enhance the boat feel to take in stunning views of Jamaica Bay and the Cross Bay Bridge, which make the location alone a buried treasure.

But open up the menu and you’re in for even more of an elevated experience. Start with drinks like the Cross Bay Bridge, a colorful mezcal drink served in an Instagram-worthy fish-shaped glass or the Guavalada, a rum, guava, coconut and banana liqueur beverage served in a tiki man glass, or set sail on The Harbor with Espolon Blanco tequila, passion fruit, orange grenadine, lime and orange bitters for a fruity concoction that will get you settled into your island-inspired experience.

For your appetizers, maybe start with beef skewers, perfectly tender beef bites, complete with a roasted tomato dip for that added flavor. Calamari isn’t just for Italian restaurants. Similan’s fried squid is served with a sweet chili sauce and lemon. For a healthier option, shoot for a salad, such as the papaya salad with shredded papaya, string beans, tomatoes, peanut, dried shrimp, garlic, lime and chili for a refreshing treat with a kick. Maybe try something completely different, like the mangosteen salad, featuring a sweet lychee-like fruit called mangosteen, along with mango, dried coconut flakes, cashew nuts and peanuts, shallots, and cilantro, mixed in a chili-lime dressing, a plethora of flavors that will take your mouth on a journey with each bite.

But save room for your main courses. To continue on your island adventure, maybe opt for one of several seafood options. The big seller since Similan opened for its soft opening last Saturday has been the impressive Pla Lui Suan, a fried whole de-boned Branzino with mango, shallot, scallion, cilantro, tomatoes, lemongrass, mint, dried chili and more. For those who miss Thai Rock, some familiar dishes are back like Crying Tiger, a grilled strip loin with fried garlic and a Thai spicy sauce served with sticky rice, Pad Thai with shrimp and Pad See Ew chicken with flat noodles, egg and Chinese broccoli. And these are just a few items on the soft-opening menu that early customers got to try.

When Similan on the Bay hosts its grand opening on Friday, August 29, they’ll reveal the full food and beverage menu. “It’s incredibly exciting,” partner and property owner Jennifer Resnick said. “This has been a true labor of love, and we’re so proud of what we’ve built. We can’t wait to welcome the Rockaway community to Similan.”

Resnick, a Bangkok, Thailand native who has known previous owners, Metta Kaskel and the late Robert Kaskel for a long time, jumped at the opportunity to purchase the property when it went up for sale, closing on it in late April. Since then, she and her partners, a restaurant group that has operated six successful restaurants around New York and New Jersey, including Michelin star-rated, Glin Thai Bistro in Brooklyn, set out to transform the bayside gem into their own. “I saw its potential right away. With its waterfront views and generous layout, it had everything we needed to bring Similan to life. I’ve also known the previous owners, Robert and Metta, for a long time—which made the transition feel even more natural. They had an amazing following, and I hope to honor their legacy,” Resnick said. “But I saw an opportunity to create something unique by the water, a chance to offer something fresh and elevated to the community—a Thai dining experience that matches the unique spirit of Rockaway.”

That meant putting in several months of work, even up until last week, to completely revamp the property. “It’s a complete transformation designed to highlight the bay views and create a warm, modern, and inviting atmosphere for our guests,” Resnick said. And with that came a new name. “It’s inspired by the Similan Islands in Thailand—known for their beauty and serenity.  We chose the name to reflect the calm, elegant, and transportive feeling we hope our guests will experience when they dine here,” she said.

And that experience will be different from its predecessor. “Similan offers a completely new concept, atmosphere, and culinary direction. While Thai Rock had its charm, Similan focuses on refined Thai cuisine, modern design, and elevated service—while still staying true to bold flavors and traditional ingredients,” Resnick said. “We want Similan to feel like a mini escape—whether it’s a laid-back lunch, romantic dinner, or lively night out. Great food, beautiful views, and fun experiences are what we hope to bring to every guest.” As Similan settles in, they’ll eventually have DJs and live music, happy hour, brunch and more to elevate the bar and dining experience.

Similan on the Bay, located at 375 Beach 92nd Street, is open for lunch and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations or questions, call 718- 887-0240. For the menu and more info, see: www.similanonthebay.com and follow @similan.nyc on Instagram for updates.