After 22 years in their original premises, the Kongsasana family, led by matriarch Pongphan \u2018Linda\u2019 Kongsasana and joined by her son Mon and daughter-in-law Jang, faced an unexpected challenge. Their lease was ended due to plans for apartments on the site. But what could have been a setback instead became an opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew we had to act quickly,\u201d says Mon Kongsasana. \u201cAn old hospitality venue became available in a central spot and we saw the potential to create something really special.\u201d<\/p>\n
To bring the vision to life, the family engaged Pollock Architecture and interior designer Kendall Young Design. Their design, in \u201ccelebrating the layers the building has had over its life\u201d, echoed the tradition within the menu and the warmth within the food.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n
The transition has been emotional. The old Thai Puka was not just a restaurant but a second home.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur babies grew up in that restaurant while we worked hard to establish Thai Puka. Saying goodbye was tough. But this new space gives us room to grow and honour the story we\u2019ve built,\u201d says Mon Kongsasana.<\/p>\n
Many elements of the original restaurant have followed them to the new venue. Handpicked artefacts and artwork from Nan in Northern Thailand, which Linda shipped over in a container back in 2002, now sit proudly alongside oversized paper lanterns and an exposed Thai pantry.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n
The refreshed brand identity and expanded cocktail list provide the space with a contemporary edge, while the kitchen\u2019s upgrade ensures the team can keep pace with increasing demand.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/2″ el_position=”first”]\n
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\u201cThai cooking is all about balance, heat, timing, and freshness,\u201d explains Jang. \u201cMoffat\u2019s equipment gives us the consistency and power we need, service after service.\u201d\u00a0While there\u2019s new technology, the team at the heart of the restaurant remains the same.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_image image=”5725″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”last”][\/spb_image] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n
The high-performance kitchen at Thai Puka is fitted with the latest Moffat equipment, including a Convotherm 10 tray combi oven with condensate hood, which has proven invaluable for its precision and versatility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can bake, steam and roast \u2013 it\u2019s incredibly efficient,\u201d says Jang Kongsasana. \u201cWe\u2019ve maintained all our crowd favourites on the menu, but we\u2019re also exploring new specials that the combi oven allows us to execute beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also from Moffat are a Blue Seal 8 burner cooktop, a single pan deep fryer and a robust 3 burner Cobra commercial wok station.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_image image=”5726″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”first”][\/spb_image] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/2″ el_position=”last”]\n
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