New upscale Thai restaurant with long Kansas City legacy opens in the Northland
For 20 years, Jonathan Rojjanasrirat watched his mother, aunt and uncle work tireless hours at their Mission restaurant, serving dishes like pad thai and tom yum soup.
The restaurant industry life was never for him, he thought. Until his mom got sick with cancer in 2017.
That’s when Rojjanasrirat left his chiropractic practice in Las Vegas and returned to the Kansas City metro to care for her. As his mother, Pranee Thaveesangsakulthai, began to decline, the family looked into selling the restaurant. After all, Thaveesangsakulthai was the heart and soul of Thai Orchid — how could they keep it going without her?
In the midst of the heartbreak, Rojjanasrirat made a proposition that would shock his family: “What if I bought it?” he asked.
Since purchasing the restaurant in 2018 from his aunt Wilai and uncle Mogkol, Rojjanasrirat and his wife have made a commitment to bring Thaveesangsakulthai’s dishes to more Kansas Citians. Enter their newest venture: Thai Orchid in the Metro North Crossing development.
The new Northland location, 464 NW Legacy Drive, is currently in the soft opening phase: For now it’s open 4:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Its grand opening date is still pending, as Rojjanasrirat is awaiting his liquor license so he can begin serving mixed drinks from the sleek, full bar in the middle of the restaurant.
Fans of Thai Orchid will notice several differences between the original location at 6504 Martway St.
Dark gray light fixtures hang from its high ceilings. Its concrete floors and wood paneling give the space a contemporary feel. Being a new build-out, Rojjanasrirat and wife Aom Nuttaphat Stonnisgul were able to design the space exactly how they wanted.
The original spot was opened in 1991 and was bought by Thaveesangsakulthai in 1998, so Rojjanasrirat figured it was time to update its style.
“Imagine an older conservative Thai lady, and this (location) is like a 15-year younger version of herself, where she gets to express herself,” he said. “This is the vibe we like.”
The menu is about “80% the same,” Rojjanasrirat said, though having a bigger kitchen has allowed them to expand their offerings.
Some of the updated options include the crying tiger garlic fried rice (garlic fried rice with marinated grilled beef, served with nam jim jaew sauce) and tom saap soup (braised beef in spicy and sour broth with Thai herbs, bell peppers and mushrooms).
Other menu items include the basil wings (six chicken wings glazed with chili basil sauce), pineapple fried rice, steamed dumplings and papaya salad.
Once Rojjanasrirat gets his liquor license, he’ll be able to serve cocktails like the Thai Heat Margarita (Luna Azul Reposado and dry curacao with strawberry-guava purees and house-made sour mix, Thai spice and a salt swipe), the Samui Sunset (Tom’s Town Gin and St. Germain with vibrant blood orange puree, zesty lime and a splash of ginger beer), the Lemongrass Mule (Tito’s vodka mixed with lemongrass-infused syrup, topped with ginger beer), and the Sanctuary Fizz, a mocktail with lychee, ginger, mint, and lime flavors.
Thai Orchid is part of the new Metro North Crossing development, which replaced the old Metro North Mall. Many of the buildings are still leasing for retail tenants, but those who’ve already opened include Third Street Social, T-Shotz, and KPot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot.
Furniture Mall of Missouri will soon replace the old Macy’s near the restaurant.
Rojjanasrirat said there are but a few Thai restaurants north of the Missouri River, and many Northlanders travel downtown for business lunches and date nights.
“It’s something that’s lacking in the Northland,” he said. “Hopefully we’re the answers for a lot of people.”
So far, he feels like the restaurant has provided that. Compliments on the atmosphere and food are a nightly occurrence.
While Rojjanasrirat’s mother passed away in 2019, Rojjanasrirat said his aunt and uncle gave their blessing to open the new, chic space north of the River. Their opinions are important to Rojjanasrirat.
“I think they’re very proud of what we’re doing,” he said.