Asian Mint Doubles Dining Space

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Asian Mint logo

More Room, Great Food

We recently enjoyed 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 they are located at 11617 N. Central Expressway at Forest Lane, in the 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 the 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.”

Behind The Scenes

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. 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; and 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 the Greater Dallas Restaurant Assn. and a member of the eWomen’s Network.

Menu items we tried included a succulent Steamed Sea Bass, spicy tuna crisps, Asian noodle salad, Shrimp Rangoon, 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. Even though we were full, it was impossible to resist such delicacies 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 popular drink was a lovely Mango Sangria.

The Asian Mint 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 in the Shops of Highland Park at 4246 Oak Lawn Ave.

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Jo Ann Holt
Jo Ann Holt is an award-winning journalist with 40+ years of experience as a writer and editor. She loves live performances, from country music concerts to Broadway musicals to community theatre productions. Holt also enjoys art and cultural festivals, and good food and wine. She’s toured Amsterdam, London, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and various cities in Mexico but looks forward to visiting even more countries. She has traveled by boat, plane, and train, but especially likes taking long road trips across the U.S. with her husband, retired history professor Durhl Caussey. They enjoy meeting friendly people, learning about different cultures, and visiting historic sites wherever they go.