Thai food has new area outlet

One of the best-kept secrets in Prince William County is a new Thai restaurant in fast-growing Gainesville.

Anothai Restaurant, owned by Lalida Silpacharn, is located at 7535 Somerset Crossing Drive and has been serving the public for the past six months.

“Our menu is built on traditional Thai cuisine, which relies on strong flavors from ginger, garlic, basil, hot peppers and cilantro with the delicate undertones of mushrooms and peanuts,” said Silpacharn.

One thing that may make a customer smile once he enters the restaurant is the relaxing design of the dining room and bar and being greeted by Silpacharn, a charming and personable hostess.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of made-from-scratch Thai food, but one of the favorites among the customers is the flaming “Volcano Chicken,” a deep-fried whole chicken with sweet and spicy sauce served at the customer’s table with a unique delivery.

Other chef’s menu favorites include Karim’s Duck, sautéed slices of crispy duck with chili topped with crispy basil leaves; Pork in the Garden, marinated grilled pork sliced delicated with chili, garlic and lime juice served with fresh vegetables; and Steak and Shrimp, New York sirloin strip and jumbo shrimp served with the chef’s special sauce.

Serving lunch and dinner, Anothai also offers a dozen different appetizers, and a variety of soups and salads that can be served at the sleek, upscale bar while a customer can watch his or her favorite sporting event while enjoying a beverage.

The restaurant also offers carryout and delivery, a kids’ menu, dessert (fresh mango with sweet sticky rice and fried banana) and side dishes of brown rice and sticky rice, along with a vegetarian menu.

Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and dinner hours are 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday; noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

This is the second Anothai (I-know-Thai) restaurant to open. The first was at 4370 Southern Walk Plaza in Broadlands, and it received rave reviews by food editors.

Silpacharn said she has always been loved the sun and since Anothai means “sunrise” in Thai she selected that for the name of the restaurant.

A former finance manager, Silpacharn said she likes greeting and working with people and decided to change careers and enter the restaurant business — plus her husband’s family grew up in the same business.

If the menu says a dish is spicy, believe it. However, customers can request it be less spicy to suit their tastes.

The restaurant seats 110 and there is plenty of free parking at the door. For more information call 703-753-9902 or fax 703-753-9964.

“We welcome families to come in and have a meal with us,” Silpacharn said. “We will do everything we can to make their visit special. We want them to leave happy.”

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.