First Look: Thai Table in Maplewood

Maplewood’s only Thai restaurant, Thai Table, is now open at 7403 Manchester Road. The first day of business was Friday, Sept. 19.

Executive chef and owner Natthinee Hughes was initially working with Basil Spice owner Somying Fox to open Thai Table until Fox left to open My Thai in the Central West End in July. Hughes is now the sole owner of Thai Table. 

“I make my food like you eat in Thailand – I don’t adapt for American people. I just want them to know how Thai food tastes,” Hughes said of her first restaurant venture. “I don’t want to Americanize it – it’s not too sweet.”

Employing avid home-cook skills learned in Thailand, where she lived until about six years ago, Hughes said she believed Maplewood is the perfect place to set up shop.

“I saw the opportunity in Maplewood because there was no Thai restaurant,” she said. “I like this area – the little restaurants, doughnut shop, bars to hang out – it’s so cute. We complete the diversity.”

In addition to a mostly from-scratch menu with items like pad thai, Massaman beef, basil fried rice, spring rolls, coconut milk soup and more, the restaurant offers several house-made sauces, including a spicy, zesty lime sauce, spicy basil sauce and curry peanut sauce.

Although a liquor license is not yet finalized, Hughes expects the restaurant will be able to offer beer and wine in about a month. In the meantime, she’s proud to provide authentic Thai cuisine in a “cozy, relaxed atmosphere.”

“We have good feedback, like on Facebook,” Hughes said. “People really love our food. They say it’s fantastic and they will come again. A lot of the local businesses were excited, too.”

Here’s a first look at what to expect from Maplewood’s newest eatery.

Lauren Healey is associate editor at Sauce Magazine.

Editor's Note: This article was updated at 5 p.m. Oct. 1 to clarify Thai Table's ownership.