When planning what customers want to see on the menu at Tara Thai Falls Church, General Manager Bow Boonyaket views it from the perspective of the customer, studying what other restaurants are doing.
“I make sure our restaurant is updated and I see what people like and what’s on trend,” said Boonyaket. “I look at myself as a customer. I would want freshness and cleanliness and provide quality dishes.”
Honoring her loyal customers is her way of ensuring that Tara Thai Falls Church offers a variety of Thai and Asian fusion cuisine. She likes to concoct special dishes that make customers come back
for more.
Boonyaket has been working at Tara Thai since it opened in Falls Church in 1997. She worked her way through the ranks to become the restaurant’s general manager. She is recognized by longtime customers and values that relationship with customers.
“I love the feeling they bring to us,” said Boonyaket. “They call us family.”
She recalls the snowstorm that hit the D.C. area three year ago. While many other businesses were closed, the restaurant stayed open so locals could walk over and get fresh Thai food.
Tara Thai in Falls Church offers family-style Thai dishes, ensuring that each dish is authentic. Complete with an ocean-themed interior, the restaurant focuses on seafood dishes, like the fresh soft shell crab; shrimp and garlic sauce; and rockfish wrapped in a banana leaf. The restaurant is well-known for its pad Thai and curries. Their spicy ka pow dishes are a hit with customers, and for vegetarians, a spicy pow jae is made with vegetables.
Popular dishes also include the Thai garden rolls; grilled chicken rolled in a fresh wrap and served with peanut sauce; seafood madness, consisting of crispy tilapia and seafood sautéed in a hot chili paste and mushroom and sprinkled with crispy basil leaves; and drunken noodles. For dessert, Tara Thai offers fresh homemade mango cheesecake and mango sticky rice.
Lunch specials are offered daily and include a spring roll and savory Thai vegetable soup. Catering and delivery service is also offered, and Tara Thai hosts special events.
Happy hour is offered at the bar Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Cocktails and mocktails made with fresh fruit and mixes are served at the bar and mixed with care. Specialty cocktails like the Tahitian Mai Tai (rum, fresh orange juice, and lime juice) will transport you to a tropical island.
Boonyaket also takes pride in Tara Thai’s wine selection and wine dinners, offered seasonally.
“The thing I know best is selecting wine to pair with Thai dishes,” said Boonyaket. She is taking classes and working her way through classes offered by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Locally, she pioneered the pairing of wine with Thai cuisine. Her wine dinners feature winery representatives from wineries such as Ampedos, Millbrandt Vineyards, and Bonneau Winery. They are a huge hit
with customers.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood Thai restaurant with something for everyone, be sure to check out Tara Thai.
Tara Thai is located at 7501 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church. For more information, call 703-506-9788 or visit www.tarathaifallschurch.com.
