Community Corner
Blue Orchid Thai Bistro Opens in Palm Desert
Chai and Ally Butrlakorn take elements from their Thai and Chinese restaurants for a relaunch in Palm Desert.

When Legacy Chinese in Palm Desert closed it’s doors last month for remodeling, it was part of a plan to combine the popular dim sum small plates with the success of the owner’s Thai restaurant in La Quinta. The result is called Blue Orchid Thai Bistro.
Blue Orchid is focused on the small plate craze, but with delicious Thai cuisine.
“Here there are many more young business and college people who are looking for lighter, quick meals in a relaxed bistro atmosphere,” said Chai Butralkorn, a master chef in both Thai and Chinese cuisines. “Many of our loyal customers who know Legacy Thai also requested their favorite Thai dishes.”
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Blue Orchid will still off dim sum dishes on weekends, which had become popular at the former restaurant.
More renovations are in the works for the El Paseo restaurant, including a full bar featuring California wines and Thai specialty drinks.
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The menu features many Thai favorites in different sizes, making sharing or tasting sessions enjoyable for small groups.
“The dishes are written in traditional Thai pronunciation so that you could actually order the same dish in Thailand, “ said co-owner Ally Butrlakorn. “It’s a way to educate our customers and have a little fun as they try to pronounce the words.”
Blue Orchid Thai Bistro, (73030 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert. 760-776-6610) is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for lunch and dinner.