Organic-Driven Thai Restaurant both Healthy and Delicious

L’Thai Organic Cuisine & Wine Bar prides itself on being the first organic Thai restaurant outside of Thailand.

The world’s first such eatery right here in Smyrna’s West Village? Well, not exactly, but this wholesome, healthy and most delicious restaurant has become a local favorite since its opening two years ago.

It’s actually owners Pithya Kongthavorn and Nui Rattanachatree’s original L’Thai location in Tucker that owns claim as the world’s first organic Thai restaurant outside of Thailand.

That’s according to proudly displayed documentation from the Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, which also honored L’Thai with its “Thai Select’’ award as one of the globe’s top Thai restaurants. The awards are nice, but what’s important here is the food, and it’s both good and good for you.

With the success of their Tucker location, Pithya and Nui looked to Smyrna to open L’Thai West Organic Cuisine & Wine Bar with a mission statement that’s “committed to health, vitality and wellness of body, mind and spirit for all the people, all the planet.’’ 

"We believe in the purity of food and don’t use anything processed in the kitchen,’’ said Pithya, who shuffles between the two locations to make sure things run smoothly. “Everything is made at the premises, including the sauces and ice creams."

Ingredients are bought fresh from famer’s markets and local organic producers. Organic basil and mint provided specifically for the restaurants are grown in Florida. There is truly a passion for healthy cooking here.

"In addition to being organic, the preparations are almost gluten-free,’’ Pithya proudly explained. “Wheat is used only in soy sauce to ferment it. There is little to no use of genetically modified corn flour.''

It is also one of the few local establishments to possess such a thorough list of fine organic beers and wines.

L’Thai claims to nurture dishes, keeping the nutrients and enzymes alive. It is no surprise that the freshness of the ingredients can be be tasted in the food. 

The crispy basil duck has garnered acclaim from food critics across metro Atlanta and is truly is one of the best things to eat in city. The basil rolls come raw or fried, but either way with the sweet taste of vegetables.

The fried lobster with Penang sauce has a paper-thin crispy crust that melts in your mouth. It's reportedly a favorite of chef Paul Albrect, a longtime fixture on the Atlanta restaurant scene. And the made-to-order soups served in a variety of healthy ways are a must try, too.

It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and L’Thai has recently partnered with the discount vendor Scoutmob to offer a 50 percent discount ($15 max per table) to their customers.

L'Thai West Organic Cuisine & Wine Bar

Where: 4500 West Village Place Ste 1017

Hours: Mon-Thu, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat, 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Sun, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Website: http://www.lethai.org/

Phone: (770) 434-4344