Your Foodie Guide t to great eating in West Hawaii ONO-LICIOUS! LICIOUS!February 24, 2017 Royal Thai Café serves five different levels of spicy sauces, including ultra spicy for Thai Cuisine aficionados A landmark restaurant at Keauhou Shopping Center, Royal Thai Café is known for its authentic Thai cuisine and beautifully decorated dining room. But if you ask chef/owner Chatcharat “Yam” Chantaraviboon what his claim to fame is, he will tell you he’s most proud of the many options of spicy sauces that keep his customers coming back for more. “We offer five levels of spicy sauce, and it’s all homemade here at the restaurant,” said Chantaraviboon. “Unlike most Thai restaurants, we will give you truly ultra-spicy if you ask for it. One great thing about spicy food is that it is good for your health. It doesn’t even have to be extremely hot to be beneficial.” Indeed, the ultra-spicy option is as spicy as you will find at any Thai restaurant. Many repeat customers come to Royal Thai Café strictly for the ultra-spicy. In fact, each year the restaurant hosts its infamous Spicy Eating Contest in which the winner receives a $300 cash prize. The contest features three courses. Whoever can eat the most spicy serving is the grand winner. The exact date of the 2017 contest has yet to be announced, but Chantaraviboon is aiming to host the event sometime in the first half of the year. Showcasing locally sourced ingredients and top-quality noodles imported from Thailand, the cuisine at Royal Thai Café includes traditional favorites like Panang curry, green papaya salad, Pahd Thai noodles, and crispy duck served with Royal Thai Spicy Sauce. The restaurant also prepares special dishes like steamed opakapaka served head to tail. All food is made to order. The comprehensive wine list offers selections from Italy, France, California and Washington. Most of the wines by the glass are priced at $7. Royal Thai Café serves authentic Thai dishes highlighting fresh, island-grown ingredients. Originally from Bangkok, Chantaraviboon began helping his mother at her restaurant when he was a young boy. His desire to learn English led him to Kona in 1999, where he worked at the original Royal Thai Café for five years, and then at Chef Alan Wong’s Hualalai Grill. In 2008, Chantaraviboon’s career came full circle when he purchased Royal Thai Café from the restaurant’s original owners. Since then, he has kept the menu pretty much the same to accommodate longtime loyal customers. Two years ago, Chantaraviboon remodeled the front of the house as well as the kitchen, creating an upscale yet casual atmosphere that truly resembles an authentic restaurant in Thailand. The restaurant’s proximity to the movie theater makes it the perfect destination to enjoy dinner or lunch before or after a show. With plenty of parking available, Royal Thai Café attracts patrons who want to enjoy great food at a convenient location. ■ Located at Keauhou Shopping Center, Royal Thai Café features authentic Thai cuisine, stellar service, and a fi ne-dining atmosphere with beautiful décor. COURTESY PHOTOS ROYAL THAI CAFÉ BY KAREN ANDERSON SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY Where: Keauhou Shopping Center 78-6831 Alii Drive Phone: 322-8424 (THAI) Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner Notes: Menu online at RoyalThaiCafe.com
bie
To see the actual publication please follow the link above