Five 81° Northeast
Bringing authentic flavors of northeastern Thailand to the Seacoast, Five 81° Northeast (581 Lafayette Road, Unit 3, Portsmouth, 956-5665, five81ne.com) places a special focus on the Isaan region, known for its Vietnamese and Laotian influences in cooking. The eatery features the culinary prowess of co-owner and chef May Sonta, herself an Isaan native. “She learned … how to cook from her grandmother and mother, so [the menu has] all of her home recipes from that region of Thailand,” said Danny Symington, Five 81° Northeast’s bar manager. “With that Vietnamese influence, you’re going to get a lot of [things like] lemongrass, lime leaves … and then your Asian herbs, so your dill, mint and cilantro. All of that.” Part of the same restaurant group that also owns Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro + Bar on Portwalk Place, Five 81° Northeast is approaching the end of its first full year in business — it’s currently open six nights a week for dinner and three days a week for lunch specials. The bar, meanwhile, offers a lineup of cocktails specifically designed to pair well with the eatery’s food items. “Our signature cocktail is called May Flowers, which is named after Chef May,” Symington said. “It’s our sort of play on a Mai Tai, so you’re going to get that lemongrass and that coconut … that will calm down the spiciness of some of our food.” Reached by phone, Symington told the Scene about some of his personal favorite menu items at Five 81° Northeast and what you can expect when you visit.
How long has Five 81° Northeast been around?
We opened on Aug. 18 of 2023, so we’re coming up on a year.
What makes Five 81° Northeast unique?
There are other Thai restaurants in Portsmouth, and they’re all great … but we have that niche with the influences of that northeast region that are going to bring you slightly different flavors. … Our decor is also beautiful. It’s something you don’t really see around Portsmouth. Time tends to slip away from you when you’re in there.
What is your favorite thing on your own menu?
Right now, it’s the laab duck. You’ve got your duck, your Asian herbs, and then the crispy rice that goes on top. … I probably get it three times a week. It’s super, super good.
What is one thing that everyone should try?
We have a lemongrass-infused grilled chicken. It’s chicken thighs that are all boneless … and the flavoring of the lemongrass that they infuse in there is just so good. … We always offer it with a side of rice. Our garlic fried rice goes really well with it.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at Five 81° Northeast?
We’re all pretty big Game of Thrones fans over here. … I would say anyone from there, or especially from House of the Dragon. … There’s one specific actor — Matt Smith, who plays Daemon. That’d be really cool to see him in here.
What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?
Active listening … with your staff and also with customers. The ability to hear constructive criticism and to adjust to trends … is really going to keep you in business.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
Honestly, it’s so nice to be able to be so close to the water. … For a lot of people, beaches are this big day trip, but then we get to just go there within a couple of minutes, because it’s right down the street.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of Five 81° Northeast
