Chef Jet Tila Pays A Visit As Pakpao Opens In Plano

Drunken Noodle, Tamarind Duck, Curry Salmon, Chef Jet Tila with Cynthia Smoot

Pakpao is a Thai inspired restaurant that, according to the press release I received. "invites guests to indulge in the authentic and robust flavors of Thailand. With a menu created by Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, an experience at Pakpao combines distinctive dishes with classic Thai favorites". Earlier this month, Pakpao officially opened their third location with a Plano offshoot. Pakpao’s Plano menu will feature authentic Thai delicacies influenced by the streets of Bangkok. Popular dishes include Vegan Pad Thai, Short Rib with Massaman Curry, The Thai Grilled Chicken Salad and a unique Beef Jerky Flight paired with three rotating local brews.

Thai Meets Texas at Pakpao's New Brunch Service

Thai Omelette

Pakpao Thai recently launched a new "Thai-Meets-Texas" brunch and they invited me in this past weekend to experience it for myself. Pakpao's chef/partner Jet Tila has had appearances on Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America, and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations so I expected to see some creative thinking when it came to the menu. I was not disappointed. Brunch is my all-time favorite meal of the day so I was curious to sample their entrees. I mean, what is a Thai brunch anyway? I'm posting the menu below so you can see for yourself. Brunch cocktails are always a vital part of the experience because, you know, brunch without cocktails is just a sad, late breakfast. Pakpao serves $1 original or tamarind mimosas, $3 lychee bellinis, and a $5 spicy Thai Lemongrass Bloody Mary (my personal favorite). I sampled several of the entrees and everyone at my table agreed that when it came to sweet vs. savory, the sweet dishes were our favorites by far. The Thai Tea French Toast and the Coconut Pancakes with Pineapple and fresh housemate whipped cream were spectacular. I also thought both the Thai Omelette and the Crab Omelette were delicious. I wasn't crazy about the Pork Congee, but that 's probably because it was the least flavorful of all the dishes we ate. Overall, I loved the menu, atmosphere, cocktails and service and give Pakpao two thumbs way up for their brunch service. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Brunch is served Saturdays & Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday brunch will also feature a DJ. Pakpao is located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75207, (214) 749-7002, http://pakpaothai.com

Chef Jet Tila Tackles the Wing Scene

Pakpao is spicing up Dallas’ football-watching “wing scene” with new Thai Chili Garlic Wings from Chef Jet Tila. On Thursday nights and Sundays (all day), you can enjoy 10 wings for $10 and $4 Thai beers (Chang and Singha) while rooting on your favorite team via Pakpao's new 60-inch television. If you can’t make it out to the Dallas Design District, create these scorchers at home with the 5-step recipe below.

Thai Chili Garlic Hot Wings
by Chef Jet Tila

Ingredients:
6 whole chicken wings, cut in half at the joint
1-2 cups tempura flour
2 cups corn or potato starch
Oil for frying
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:
2 cups Thai Sweet Chile Sauce
½ cup Sriracha, adjust according to desired heat level

Method:
Make sauce by combining chile sauce and sriracha. Rinse chicken wings in cold water and place wet into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle the wings evenly with the tempura flour until a thin batter forms. In a large deep-fryer or large Dutch oven, heat oil to 350 degrees F. Dredge chicken wings through one more layer of cornstarch. Place wings a few at a time into the hot oil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown. Season hot wings with salt and pepper and toss into the spicy sauce. Serve hot. Serves 3.

Pakpao is located in the Design District at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75207. http://pakpaothai.com

Oh So Tasty: Pakpao

Chef Jet Tila

Pakpao opened quietly 10 months ago but it just hit my radar when I received an invitation from their new chef/partner, Jet Tila, to come over and sample his culinary creations.

That name sound familiar? Tila has had appearances on Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America, and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and he's just landed in Dallas to lay his brand of Thai cooking on the Dallas scene.

“Pakpao already does an amazing job with creating authentic Thai food," said Tila is a previous release, "I will be infusing regional dishes from the North, Isaan, and Bangkok, along with helping to promote the brand and expand Pakpao’s influence on the Texas dining scene, which is one of the fastest growing in the country. It’s tremendously exciting for me to be a part of it.”

Tila debuted new menu items Wednesday night, and told the Dallas Business Journal that "this selection only represents a third of what he hopes to bring to the restaurant. Menu items included Tom Kha Gai, or chicken coconut soup; Neu Nam Tok, or waterfall steak salad; and Tila’s signature Khao Soi, or Chian Mai curry noodles. He’s also added his Thai Silk cocktail, comprising unfiltered sake, pineapple rum and Thai Basil, to the drink menu. He plans to do two more menu changes by the end of the year but intends to keep some of Pakpao's unique items."

Although everything they brought out was amazing, my favorites were the Pad Kee Mow (Drunken Noodles), Khao Pad Sapparod (Pineapple Fried Rice) and Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup). Located behind Oak off of Oak Lawn Ave. in the Design District, the restaurant holds about 50-60 people, offers patio dining and has an energetic and cool atmosphere that's sure to please.  I give it two thumbs way up and can't wait to go back.

Pakpao is located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75207, (214) 749-7002, http://pakpaothai.com