Scales, the new restaurant from Dana Street and Sam Hayward, has a lot of food media attention the past week, but there have been other recent openings bringing everything from more Thai food to Middle Eastern falafel to Portland.

Esaan, a new restaurant at 849 Forest Ave., is already winning rave reviews online for its menu of traditional Northeastern Thai dishes. The restaurant is in the former location of Joy’s Crepe Cafe, across from Baxter Woods and next door to the Fishermen’s Net. The restaurant only has a couple of small tables but does take-out and delivery. Last week, the owners were passing out coupons for 10 percent off orders.

Esaan is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Over on Portland’s East End, Tara Rancourt and Scott Ryan opened an evenings-only falafel sandwich shop last Saturday called Peddleman’s. It’s in the Union Bagel building at 147 Cumberland Ave., and will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The owners say everything is made from scratch with local ingredients.

Peddleman’s held a sold-out dinner at Bao Bao Dumpling House on Feb. 23.

Hero, the sandwich shop at 30 City Center co-owned by Todd Bernard of Empire and the owners of Otto, opened March 4 during the First Friday Art Walk. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.