A new restaurant opens at former Little Bee Thai location: What to know
ASHEVILLE - Something new yet familiar is coming to South French Broad Avenue as a local chef carries on the legacy of Thai cuisine.
On March 5, Chef Thanaphon Theerarat ― nicknamed Natt ― will introduce Bee Thai Kitchen at 45 South French Broad Ave., Suite 190.
The first-time restaurateur has taken over the commercial space recently vacated by Little Bee Thai ― owners and chefs Tuk Charemwong and Rick Corcoran closed the restaurant at the end of February after 15 years, allowing them to retire.
Theerarat’s Bee Thai Kitchen is not affiliated with Little Bee Thai, but the name pays homage to its predecessor.
“My concept, different chef, new food ― everything,” Theerarat said.
Theerarat said the idea is that Little Bee Thai has grown bigger, so “little" was dropped and the new restaurant became Bee Thai Kitchen.
“I think it’s easy for everyone to remember,” he said.
Theerarat said he’s worked in restaurants for more than seven years in Virginia and Washington D.C. He has family who have been in Asheville for more than 40 years, and he often visited before moving to the city this winter.
Theerarat said he noticed a need for more Thai restaurants.
The closing of Little Bee Thai’s doors opened a window of opportunity for Theerarat to enter restaurant ownership and present his menu of signature recipes of scratch-made dishes and beverages.
“I want everyone close to my country and I want to show a new experience of Thai food,” he said.
Theerarat said those interested in learning about authentic and new Thai and American-Thai fusion dishes should visit Bee Thai Kitchen.
Also, the chef said the restaurant uses ingredients sourced from local farms and producers, including pork, chicken, beef and vegetables.
Bee Thai Kitchen’s menu is still being ironed out, but diners can expect to see appetizers like fresh, handmade spring rolls filled with vegetables like cabbage, carrots and celery and crab Rangoon stuffed with crab meat and cream cheese.
The menu features more than 25 items with Thai-style soup, rice, curry and noodle dishes offered, such as Tom Kha soup, panang curry, pineapple fried rice, spicy eggplant on basil rice, pad Thai and Drunken Noodle.
The Thai tea is made using a “secret recipe” created by Theerarat.
Local beer and cider, as well as wine, will be on the menu.
Bee Thai Kitchen, a counter service restaurant, will be open for lunch and dinner service from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday for dine-in and carryout.
A lunch special that includes an appetizer and an entrée will be offered for $15 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on weekdays.
A kid’s menu will be available, too.
Delivery and online ordering will be rolled out later.
Bee Thai Kitchen
Where: 45 South French Broad Ave., Suite 190.
Opening: March 5.
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday
Info: Bee Thai Kitchen’s website is under development. For more, follow on Facebook.com.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Bee Thai Kitchen opens in Asheville: Here's what's on the menu
