A Thai friend of mine recommended Viv — the same friend who took me to Sripraphai when we were in college, so when she talks, I listen. The coconut milk and green chili paste-based curry at Viv is so good that it saves me the trip to Woodside, Queens. The dish is spicy but manageable, unless you bite into one the green chilies — beware! I love the coquettish Thai eggplants, and while bell peppers and Thai basil are standard, the slices of daikon in this curry give it a lighter touch, balancing out the heat. For dinner, you can choose a main protein at varying prices, from $11.95 for chicken, pork or tofu to $25 for whole red snapper. But what I really want to share is that the green curry is part of the lunch menu (available daily until 4 p.m.) and is a real steal at $7.95 with chicken, pork or tofu, or $8.95 with shrimp, beef, squid or vegetarian duck (and it comes a starter!). I can’t think of many places that prepare such fresh and springy shrimp; that’s my recommendation for lunch. There’s also a Viv in Hells Kitchen (where lunch specials are a dollar cheaper), so for well-prepared and reasonably priced Thai, you’re covered both on the East and West sides.