Thai Restaurant Offers Great Food and a Timeout (Photos)

Sandy Springs restaurant owner Sakchai Srongrapa’s passion for his native Thai food may be the key to success at Bangkok Thyme in Sandy Springs.

“This is like home,” said Radhika Behl, a regular patron. “The atmosphere here is great. I took my children to another Thai restaurant a few weeks ago in Brookhaven, but when we left there, my children missed Bangkok Thyme. [The other restaurant] was cool and trendy but it didn’t matter. They didn’t want to go there again.”

Srongrapa and his partner Pranee Chompoonich have poured their love for traditional Thai food into every dish at the Sandy Springs restaurant. And while dishes such as Massaman chicken wth curry, cashews and avocado, prepared by chef Mala Rujrek, may be rich and pleasing to the palate, Srongrapa says they are not exotic.

“We want to stick to what is most popular for people,” said Srongrapa. “For instance, Sushi, the freshness is the most important thing. And the consistency in the curry sauce. The subtleness of the sushi is a very good prelude to the spicy Thai to follow.”

A key to a stream of returning customers, Srongrapa said, is consistency in the meals.

When Patch visited, Behl and three friends were enjoying lunch. They convene at their favorite table at least once a week, sometimes more, they said.

“I used to live in Hong Kong and I love Thai food,” said Joyce Ellis. “So when we moved here, I thought this is probably the closest [to that experience] and affordable. And it’s so great. My husband and I are probably here once a week.”

Our shows that other fans of Thai food agree with Ellis. Bangkok Thyme was a favorite in this week’s poll of favorite Asian food restaurants.

Srongrapa and co-owner Chompoonich opened Bangkok Thyme in 2005.  She had a career in accounting and Srongrapa was an executive with Thai Airways, he said.

“I am not trained to be a professional chef but I’ve always enjoyed food and meeting people and taking care of people,” said Srongrapa, who frequently converses with restaurant patrons.

The former airline executive describes himself and Chompoonich as nostalgic about their homeland, which brings an honesty to their food. Chompoonich develops and tweaks the recipes as the duo compare notes and ideas, he said. 

“All of our main dishes we tend to make very traditional,” Srongrapa said.  Newly trained chef’s at other eateries tend to prepare more sweet tastings plates, he said.

Sushi lovers will enjoy Bangkok Thyme’s daily happy hour from 5-7 p.m. with fresh $2 sushi rolls [ a minimum order is $10].

Bangkok Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar is located at 4969 Roswell Road, near Food 101.