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Remember the concept of “brain drain,” the media phenomenon that in recent years lamented the loss of intelligent and skilled minds from South Carolina?
While Greenville has always been the traditional one-stop for Clemson grads, before the BMW era, many griped about the lack of a cultural infrastructure in place to attract outsiders and retain natives.
Now, in 2009, it just might be time to retire the phrase, because if the recent influx of authentic cuisine in the area is any indication, there’s certainly a reverse “bright flight” in motion.
Case in point—Thai Sky, located at 115 Pelham Road in Greenville, is owned and operated by a staff of Thai transplants, twice removed via Washington, D.C.
Recognizing the quality of life in the Upstate and a absence of not only French restaurants, but “real” Thai restaurants, Chef Vone Xayavong relocated his crew from Vienna, Va., to open Greenville’s newest Asian fusion restaurant, alternately billed as an “exotic Thai-French and sushi bar.”
“We wanted to introduce Greenville to real Thai food,” says the restaurant’s manager, Kayla Siri. “Americanized Thai is too sweet.”
Hailed in the pages of Washington media for his authentic and affordable French fare at former restaurant La Provence, Xayavong aims to offer both Asian creations and French cuisine at Thai Sky…but not necessarily on the same plate. (The respective menus are featured separately.)
“We do use coriander [in the Thai dishes], which is often used in French cuisine,” Siri continues.
Stir-fry curry and pad Thai dishes feature most prominently on the 42-item Thai menu, boasting little oil, salt, sugar and absolutely no MSG.
“We only use spices that make it just as good,” says Siri.
The sushi menu offers more than 50 creations, from traditional California rolls to the Rock and Roll, featuring shrimp tempura, eel, cream cheese and avocado.
And the French portion offers such standards as crème brulee, escargot and filet mignon, the latter done in a cabernet sauvignon mushroom sauce. One interesting favorite is the Coq Au Vin, a chicken and wine stew done with bacon, carrot and mushrooms.
Décor is true to traditional Thai style, featuring pagoda-style flourishes, an outdoor koi pond and lush furnishings.
The restaurant’s bar, which currently offers beer and wine by the glass, extends the sky motif, with airbrushed clouds accenting the walls. One highlight is traditional Thai beer Singha, offered in the U.S. with a reduced alcohol content.
Future plans include late-night sushi specials and delivery within a two-mile radius. Working with fresh, locally grown produce when available is also on the docket. And if you visit soon, you might still have time to register to win a trip to Thailand, through a promotion offered in conjunction with the Thai Embassy.
Thai Sky is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Items on the menu run from around $3 to around $20.
