Theirs was not your typical honeymoon. Shortly after getting married, newlyweds Nattawut “Richie” Yimsamram and Siriporn “Sarah” Kitphongsri purchased the former Thai Village Restaurant in King’s Village Shopping Center.
Along with some of their relatives, the couple spent countless hours working on the space to turn it into their dream restaurant.
A month’s work resulted in a new atmosphere, menu and customer experience, and a new name to go along with them: Thai Heart Restaurant.
Yimsamram and Kitphongsri both have 15 years’ experience working in and owning Thai restaurants. They met while working at a restaurant in Santa Cruz, fell in love and got married with the dream of owning their own Thai eatery
Their love for each other and their passion for high-quality, authentic Thai food is the inspiration for their new venture.
The couple has put much energy into creating a colorful and cultural dining experience, with a blend of traditional and modern Thai styles. Kitphongsri is the head chef, and Yimsamram manages the front of the house to ensure that Thai Heart customers have an enjoyable dining experience.
The couple runs the restaurant seven days a week, taking pride in authentic and intricate flavors created with fresh Thai ingredients, herbs and spices.
The restaurant specializes in “tom-kar” (coconut soup), curry and stir-fry dishes and also serves beer and wine. Dishes on the special lunch menu start at $7.
Thai Heart is at 218-G Mount Hermon Road in the Kings Village Shopping Center in Scotts Valley. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week.
For information: 438-1800 or www.thaiheartusa.com.
