Family Ties
Chai Yo Modern Thai opens up its doors for authentic Thai food in Buckhead.
By Lauren Finney
Portrait by Sarah Dorio
12.14.17
IF YOU ALREADY consider the intersection of Peachtree Road and West Paces Ferry Road your nexus thanks to The St. Regis Atlanta, King + Duke, Umi, Atlas and more—add one more reason to your list. From the family that brought you Nan Thai Fine Dining, Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft and Tamarind Seed comes Chai Yo, an upscale, fun and sure-to-be-celeb-studded dining experience. Helmed by chef DeeDee Niyomkul (pictured here)—who is collaborating on the menu with her mother, Nan—the space is elegant, fresh and authentic. For the interiors, that means Thai imported wood, chairs, cushions, artwork and more, and for the food, well, it’s the elevated, ignited flavors you’ve come to expect from the family: There’s khao soi lobster, lobster tail wrapped with crispy egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, rice noodles and boiled egg in yellow curry; and sakoo sai gai, a tapioca dumpling filled with pickled turnip, peanuts, ground chicken and palm sugar, and topped with cilantro and fried garlic. As for the attitude? “Chai Yo” means “Hurray!” in Thai, so expect genial hospitality in addition to a sleek design and delectable eats.
3050 Peachtree Road NW