Fashionably Thai – Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen
By Aly Wagonseller
In general, when you think of most neighborhood Thai restaurants, heaping plates of spicy Pad Thai, a variety of curry dishes, papaya salad and fried rice comes to mind. The food is served family style or in to-go cartons, a byproduct of décor that’s typically not the highlight of the dining experience. Now don’t get me wrong. I love the sweet, salty, spicy flavors of traditional Thai cuisine; I’d eat the stuff off a slightly cracked, melamine plate any day of the week if it’s good enough. And, I’m not saying that some restaurants don’t cook up a far better sampling than the other guy down the street. It’s just rare that you’ll find a playful, yet sophisticated take on what’s considered the norm, and herein lies the beauty of Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen, located at 2110 No. Rampart, Suite 110.
The restaurant is the brainchild of Nittaya Parawong, a talented, artistic and driven individual with a passion for fashionable food and surroundings. Nittaya, according to our enthusiastic and very personable server, is responsible for just about every detail this tiny, surprisingly chic restaurant has to offer. With only ten tables and as many bar stools for overflow, her choice of dark brown hues, pearl white banquette seating and modern art provides an urban feel. Fresh floral arrangements (a nice touch that Nittaya, of course, arranges herself) and the brick walled bar create a warm, yet lively nightclub-meets-neighborhood bistro feel that’s perfect for both family or date night. Her one woman show doesn’t stop there either; she is also responsible for changing things up a bit in the kitchen, personally overseeing and oftentimes preparing her unique versions of traditional Thai and Thai Tapas cuisine.
Thai Tapas…seriously? Well why not? It’s simply a trendy, much more refined Thai version of the beloved pu pu platter we Americans have clamored about for decades, with the added benefit of personalized choice. What you do have to choose from isn’t your average egg roll either. Grilled Mango Shrimp wrapped in bacon; Cilantro Steak Skewers; Shrimp in Pastry with jalapeños, leeks and cream cheese; and a Stuffed Angel Chicken Wing that was moist in the middle and impossibly crunchy on the outside are just a few of the creative selections offered. All are artfully plated with the kind of detail that speaks volumes about Nittaya’s pride in and love for her establishment.
We started with what they call their World Famous Spinach Salad. This is not your typical salad, but more like a Thai version of chips and dip. The spinach is lightly dipped in batter and deep fried in a way that renders it crisp, without being heavy or greasy in the slightest. The lime vinaigrette dressing, a sauce I would suggest you dip into instead of pouring onto the spinach for fear of creating a soggy, tempura mess if it sits too long, is filled with ground chicken, whole cashews and carrots. It’s aggressively tangy and fresh tasting, and it’s absolutely addictive when paired with the earthy, crunchy spinach leaves. Equally enjoyable were the Whitefish Cakes. Oh my…the flavor imparted by the licorice undertones of Thai basil is sublime, and these light, delicate and expertly prepared little morsels had just the right amount. The addition of crispy cucumber for textural crunch and a sweet chili sauce for a bit of a kick elevate this dish to must-try status.
Nittaya’s offers a large variety of family style entrees that, while more traditional, still contain a unique twist or two. Home Style Pad Thai, with its distinctive peanut sauce, as well as Fresh off the Boat Pineapple Fried Rice, attractively served in the shell of the fruit, are two of their more popular dishes. With an impressive wine list, many served by the glass, and special half price offers on Thursdays, Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen is Thai that’s got style. Reservations are a must for dinner and can be made by calling 360-8885.
Out n About
Out n About
Engelstad Family Foundation
To say that the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit law firm, has a lot on its plate would be a vast understatement. Among other things, the organization provides free legal services to the most underrepresented folks in our community. But they couldn’t do it without the help of generous donors like the Engelstad Family Foundation, who recently announced that they will donate $3.9 million to the center’s $13 million Capital Campaign.
The $13 million will go toward the construction of a much-needed new facility where the center’s attorneys, paralegals and support staff can continue on their noble mission. “Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides a lifeline to children in our foster care system, to victims of domestic violence and consumer fraud, and to so many other vulnerable residents of Clark County,” said Kris Engelstad McGarry, trustee of the Engelstad Family Foundation. “We are so pleased to help ensure that this fine organization continues to serve this important role in our community.”
Tack this monumental donation onto a growing list of gifts from Ralph and Betty Engelstad; two truly selfless people who’ve given something more than just monetary help to so many in need–and that is hope. For more information on the center, visit www.lacsn.org.
Bank of America
Say what you will about banks these days, Bank of America is certainly coming through for thousands of Nevadans in need. In the first four months of 2011 alone, they donated $500 thousand in grants to 35 Nevada nonprofit organizations. With their recent $20,000 donation to the Women’s Development Center (WDC) of Las Vegas, it would seem that their gifts just keep on giving.
During these trying economic times, Bank of America’s generosity has allowed the WDC to continue providing quality housing services to low-income residents of Clark County. The donated funds will help the WDC educate and assist the community in pre and post purchasing, credit counseling, deficiency and default counseling and more.
“Giving back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism is a core principal for Bank of America,” said George Smith, president, Bank of America Nevada. “We are proud to continue very active charitable giving levels despite the economic downturn, because these are times when the nonprofit community sees the highest demand of need.” It’s all in the numbers. Last year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation provided more than $1.2 million in grants to nonprofits, and bank employees volunteered more than 9,000 hours for community service across Nevada. To learn more about the WDC, visit www.wdclv.org.
Dollar Loan Center
It’s official! The next few months are going to be hot, hot, hot! While most residents cringe when the outside temperatures broach the century mark, one local organization will be cheering for more. That’s because for the second year in a row, Dollar Loan Center is hosting their Heat is On campaign with Fox 5 Vegas in support of the nonprofit Opportunity Village.
During the summer-long initiative, Dollar Loan Center will be donating $100 to Opportunity Village for every day the official Las Vegas temperature reaches at least 100 degrees. “This is the second year we have hosted the Heat is On campaign and really enjoy it,” said Dollar Loan Center CEO Chuck Brennan. “It makes it a little easier to see so many ones and zeros in the forecast…when you know a very deserving organization will benefit from it.” If last year’s efforts, which raised $15,000, are any indication, that will be a certainty.
A well-known philanthropist, Brennan has also donated $10,000 to ensure a great 2011 season for the Henderson Little League, and hosted a food and donation drive to benefit Three Square Food Bank last December. To follow the Heat is On program, tune in to KVVU Fox 5 news every evening at 5, 10 and 11 p.m. or visit www.fox5vegas.com.
Style DQ Hair Salon
Though at first it might seem like any run-of-the-mill salon, Style DQ Hair Salon is anything but ordinary. Founder Derrick Robertson is on a mission to provide free haircuts to needy local families and to raise money for food, clothes and shelter for homeless families.
For the past eight years, DQ has been providing quality hair care to children who need it most in the Clark County School District and from various local nonprofit organizations. Every Friday, residents of Shade Tree are invited to the salon for free cuts, and members of the Boys and Girls Club drop by monthly. The list of DQ beneficiaries is a long one, including Title One Homeless Outreach Program for Education, Whitney Elementary, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Family Promise, Stand Up for Kids, Project Sunshine of Nevada, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Caring for Kids, among others.
As of June, they are embarking on another ambitious project–an attempt to raise $100,000 for the Shade Tree Shelter. For the fundraiser, Robertson is offering $10 haircuts (any style you want), and the proceeds will be racked up until he reaches the goal. How long will this fundraiser continue? “As long as it takes,” said Robertson. Now that’s dedication! For more information, call the salon at 566-HAIR.
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
In the Know
