A Dining Dream Come True

Yellow Curry Crab and Pad Thai (Chef’s Tasting Menu, $58)

Nearing its second anniversary at Royal Hawaiian Center is Noi Thai Cuisine, a sophisticated restaurant that prides itself on treating its guests like royalty.

Noi Thai celebrated its grand opening in January of this year — its Waikiki location being the first outside of its home base in the Pacific Northwest. According to PR and marketing director Mona Wood, owner Chadillada “Noi” Lapangkura fell in love with Hawaii during her honeymoon 10 years ago and vowed to open a restaurant one day in the 50th State. “So this is the fruition of her dream,” says Wood.

This fine-dining restaurant is known for its exquisite food, traditional Thai decor and excellent service. With the new year right around the corner, Wood reminds Dining Out readers that Noi Thai Cuisine is the perfect location for events. The eatery offers beautiful private rooms that can accommodate eight to 10 guests, or patrons may reserve a portion of the entire restaurant for their celebrations.

Appetizer Platter (Chef’s Tasting Menu, $58)

TASTING MENU SHINES

Get a little taste of everything Noi Thai Cuisine has to offer with its Chef’s Tasting Menu ($58 per person). This selection of mouthwatering dishes starts with a soup, salad and appetizer platter featuring Tom Yum Prawns, Thai Larb Pork, Papaya Salad and Crying Tiger. Then it moves on to entrees: Yellow Curry Crab, which highlights succulent crab meat cooked in coconut milk and betel leaves simmered in aromatic yellow curry; and Pad Thai made up of stir-fried thin rice noodles mixed with a tangy tamarind sauce and combined with eggs, tofu, bean sprouts and ground peanuts. And for dessert, there’s Black Sticky Rice, as well as Tapioca and Cantaloupe in coconut milk.

Noi Thai Cuisine

Royal Hawaiian Center,
2301 Kalakaua Ave., C308, Waikiki
664-4039
Daily: lunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; happy hour, 3-7 p.m.; dinner, 5-10 p.m.