New Thai eatery planned for Buckhead
DeeDee Niyomkul, a popular Atlanta Thai chef, has plans to open a new eatery later this year. Sources say that Niyomkul recently signed a lease to open her new concept in Two Buckhead Plaza. The new eatery will reportedly be called "Chai Yo", which means "cheers" in Thai.
Chai Yo will occupy the former J. Christopher's, which closed last February. At the time, J. Christopher's indicated they would reopen "soon" in the former Paul's restaurant in Peachtree Hills; Though they have yet to do so, J. Christopher's claims they still intend to.
While similar in sound, Chai Yo is not the same as or related to JaiHo, a restaurant slated to open later this month in Midtown.
Chai Yo will be the fourth Thai eatery in Atlanta for the Niyomkul family. Charlie and Nan Niyomkul established themselves as Atlantan's choice for upscale Thai cuisine with both Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro and Nan Thai Fine Dining. The Niyomkuls, along with their daughter and Executive Chef DeeDee, opened Tuk Tuk ThaiFood Loft in late 2009 in south Buckhead.
The Niyomkul's new restaurant will join Umi, a high end sushi restaurant and Himitsu, a trendy lounge from the owners of Umi, as unique offerings in the center.
Sources say that Chai Yo will feature "modern Thai" cuisine with the menu focusing on small plates and craft cocktails.
Plans call for renovations of the space to begin soon and for Chai Yo to make its debut later this fall.
In Buckhead, Chai Yo will be the third Thai restaurant and second to open in just the past couple of years. Bangkok Station, an upscale Thai eatery, opened in the 550 Pharr building in April of 2015. Annie's Thai Castle, located on Roswell Road, has been serving Atlanta for over 25 years but is a little more "hole in the wall" and casual than Bangkok Station and likely Chai Yo will be.
Are you excited for the Niyomkuls to be opening a new eatery in Buckhead? What is your favorite place to get Thai food in Atlanta? What type of cuisine is missing from Buckhead that you would like to see offered?
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