chef david bank

David Bank, born and raised in Thailand, got his start there in his wife’s family’s restaurant. Moving to New York City in 1995 he began culinary training with such notable chefs as Jean Georges Vongerichten (JoJo, Spice Market, Matsugen) and Tadashi Ono (Matsuri). David went on to learn and master French and American cuisine at the venerable 21 Club and then to another New York icon, The Russian Tea Room.

David and his wife Vanida opened their first restaurant, Land Thai Kitchen on Amsterdam Avenue in 2005. Land Thai quickly became a neighborhood favorite, featuring innovative Thai cuisine at a great value in a stylish setting. Two years later, they opened a second restaurant, Land Northeast Thai on Second Avenue, integrating dishes of Northeastern Thailand.

In May 2009, David realized his life-long dream of creating a restaurant featuring delicious European-inspired cuisine using local produce and created Recipe.

In October 2010, with three successful restaurants up and running, David and Vanida created PURE Thai Shophouse in Hell’s Kitchen, featuring homemade noodles from a prized family recipe.