Thai Cookery Street Food is a new addition to Larchmont, located at 1995 Palmer Ave. Their food incorporates vibrant and complex flavors throughout all their dishes, reflecting their more than 20 years of experience in the culinary space. Using quality ingredients, their food offers an authentic feel, and their positive reviews speak for themself. Many customers boast statements like “What a gem of an establishment,” “best Thai restaurant I have been to,” and even “I am Thai and I didn’t expect much… [but] I think I found my favorite Thai spot now.”
One of the restaurant’s co-owners, Thanya Phanpinyo, spoke to Globe staff, giving them an inside look at the restaurant. The decision to open a second location was driven by the success of their Hawthorne, New Jersey restaurant and a desire to grow their business.
“We were really looking to grow and expand to reach new people and overall just do more,” Phanpinyo explained. They found the Palmer Avenue location while searching for a place to establish their second restaurant in Westchester. After considering two locations in Larchmont, they selected this specific location over a site by the train station, believing that Palmer Avenue would bring them more foot traffic.
The concept behind Thai Cookery Street Food is embedded in its name. The restaurant aims to deliver an authentic Thai street food experience, characterized by informal and casual dining. “We serve Thai cuisine meant to be more informal and very casual. Something quick and easy to pick up and eat,” Phanpinyo said. “We try to offer an experience that’s fun but not too fancy, something enjoyable.” This approach reflects their menu choices, influenced by the lively street food culture of Thailand. One of the standout dishes at Thai Cookery is Nuer Kapraw Kai Dao, one of Phanpinyo’s favorites. It consists of a beef and basil rice bowl topped with a fried egg. “This dish is a very popular street food in Thailand. This is the dish you can grab anywhere,” Phanpinyo shared.
When designing the new restaurant, Phanpinyo and her partners aimed for a distinctive and colorful atmosphere, moving away from what Phanpinyo describes as a “cookie-cutter and basic look” and opting for something “more young and hip.” The walls feature hand-painted accents, with artwork done by Phanpinyo herself, adding a personal and artistic touch to the space. “We really wanted to be unique and again just be different, especially with this location,” Phanpinyo explained. The goal was to create a fun and informal environment where people could enjoy good food and drinks with friends and family.
This new look was a deliberate departure from the location’s previous identity as Ray’s Cafe, the former Chinese restaurant. Opening the restaurant did not come without its obstacles. “Our biggest challenge was just to open on time. Making sure we got the place open as soon as we could and as soon as we started paying rent because you always need some sort of income,” Phanpinyo said. Since its opening, though, Phanpinyo has been very happy with the success of the restaurant.
One aspect of Thai Cookery that sets it apart from other local restaurants is its commitment to accommodating diners with various dietary needs, particularly those with allergies. “We do have many people who come in with nut allergies, are gluten-free, ect.” She continues stating “we can definitely accommodate them.” The menu clearly outlines all allergy-related information, and dishes containing allergens like gluten are marked. The staff also double-checks with customers who order online, ensuring that their dietary restrictions are met. For instance, while some dishes like Massaman Curry cannot be altered due to peanuts being integral to the recipe, others, like Pad Thai, can have peanuts removed to accommodate allergies.
Thai Cookery Street Food’s arrival in our community brings a unique and authentic cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or a place to relax with friends and family, Thai Cookery Street Food offers a delightful taste of Thailand’s wonderful street food cuisine.
