Popular Asian Mint Doubles Dining Space
By Jo Ann Holt
We recently had a sneak peek and menu tasting at Asian Mint, known for its freshly prepared New Bangkok style cuisine and Asian fused menu. The popular North Dallas restaurant recently doubled bar and dining space, adding 80 seats to the 44 previously available.
This is good news for those of us who have waited patiently for a table during their crowded lunch hour. They also added a private dining/meeting room. The private space features AV presentation capabilities and surround system perfect for group meetings.
Opening in 2005 at 11617 N. Central Expressway at Forest Lane, in Park Central Plaza across from Medical City, Asian Mint is known for fresh ingredients and friendly service. The restaurant was named Critic’s Choice Best Asian Food by the Dallas Observer and received a 100 Best Restaurants nod from D Magazine.
“This is an exciting milestone for our Asian Mint Restaurant Group, and we look forward to welcoming our regulars, as well as new diners,” says proprietor Nikky Phinyawatana. “We are thrilled to have expanded space for our dine-in guests and catering requests, as well as now group dining Planning our twice yearly cooking classes is going to be more rewarding too.”
Known as Nikky to customers and friends, Phinyawatana’s parents sent her from Thailand to America to study English. She landed in Dallas at The Hockaday School and never left town. She met her husband Tan, who prefers working behind the scenes in the kitchen, at a karaoke bar. Fluent in English and Thai, Nikky also speaks some Spanish. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Babson College in Massachusetts, with a BS in Business Administration. She holds a Food & Hospitality Pastry Chef Associate Degree from El Centro College. A member of the invitation only Les Dames de E’Scoffier, Nikky also is a board member of Geater Dallas Restaurant Association and a member of eWomen’s Network.
Menu items we tried included a succulent Steamed Sea Bass, Asian noodle salad, Shrimp Ragoon, crusty red snapper, and crab fried rice. Favorites like Crispy Pad Thai, Spicy Tuna Crisps, Thai Salads and artfully designed, delicious desserts were also sampled. Although we were full, it was impossible to resist delicacies such as Green Tea Cake or Sticky Rice with coconut ice cream.
Also available were special cocktails like the Asian Mule (house infused lemongrass vodka with ginger beer, fresh lime, mint and palm syrup). Another colorful drink was a swirled Mango Sangria.
The Asian Mint’s hours of operation are Mon.-Sat. from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For reservations call 214-363-6655 or visit them online at www.asianmint.com.
A sister restaurant, The Mint, opened in 2009 in Highland Park’s Shops of Highland Park at 4246 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas.
