Pak Pao Opening~Totally Thairrific!

The wait is Boys & Girls! Pak Pao opened this weekend! Just another fab reason to scoot on over to the ever growing and ultra chic Design District duh! (what is your excuse?) Richard and Tiffany Ellman as well as their super amazing staff have been busting their butts to get the doors open for yesterday. Mission accomplished my Curry Rice lovers. As you remember Tiffany and Richard (husband and wife duo) are also the proud owners of OAK and  Belly & Trumpet. Pak Pao has a wonderful executive chef Eddy Thretipthuangsin, better known as "Chef Eddy" for all you non-Thai linguist as myself out there. The very talented "Chef Eddy" who just moved to Dallas three days ago mind you,  has created a unique menu that we have not seen from other Thai restaurants here in the Dallas metroplex. When taking a peek at the menu I noticed that it wasn't Thai Fusion, the ever growing trend. Meaning it wasn't Thai with a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and other Asian type food. Pak Pao is true Thai food, and this is Thairrific to me. 

Many as myself at once, are wondering how did the name Pak Pao originate? I had the pleasure of meeting with Marcie the General Manager, whom gave a me a brief tour of the restaurant during its build out stage. She let me know there was an elderly gentleman in Thailand that was hand-making these "Pak Pao's" which were kites and that he was shipping them here to the United States. She explained that where the elderly man was in Thailand there were no phones, no computer, no technology what so ever, it was truly the countryside. The owners had to literally travel to the countryside to meet with him and discuss design and other details....WOW....umm can we say "American Gangster Movie" (inside joke)  Now as you see below these Pak Pao and Chula Kites hang from the ceiling. Topping off that authentic Thai flair. When touring the restaurant I loved the fact that it was a smaller restaurant. I have always been a fan of smaller places, they just feel more cozy and more one on one attention. Or as if you have your own personal Chef preparing a meal for you.  Pak Pao can seat 45 guest as of this moment. Of course this will change when they open their patio....and a little birdy told me their patio is going to be awesomeness. We all know we love a patio here in Dallas.

 So my fellow foodies, I strongly suggest you stop in Pak Pao and try it out for yourself. Don't get your regular Pad Thai....you can get that from anywhere. Try something different Chef Eddy will not disappoint. As for Pak Pao is only open for Dinner, they open at 4pm-10pm daily, don't fret Lunch will be starting soon. 1626 Oaklawn Ave Dallas TX 75207 http://pakpaothai.com/  See you there Guys & Dolls! xoxo-Bree










picture courtesy of Pak Pao Facebook & SideDish