On Rue des Capucins in Luxembourg, a Thai restaurant, quite small, opened its doors a few weeks ago and is delighting thai food lovers.
In Thai, ‘Chok Dee’ means lucky. And those who walk through the door of Nittaya Jnita’s new establishment are not mistaken. They are lucky indeed. Because anyone who loves Thai food will be sure to appreciate the cuisine of this newcomer from Bangkok.
In place of the former Glou wine bar (some bottles of which are still on the menu!), this mother of three grown-up children has created a truly exotic little universe. From the logo, featuring the wicker hats of Thai fishermen and farmers, to the decor, from the bowls used by these same workers to take their meals to their place of work to their hanging headdresses and the Thai alphabet on the wall…
Nittaya Jnita arrived in Luxembourg eighteen years ago to work in the hotel industry. She worked in the kitchens of the renowned Celadon Thai restaurant on Rue du Nord for six years, then in the Bangkok restaurant for seven years, before seizing the opportunity to launch her own business when she heard about this new premises in the city centre. “I felt Chok Dee (laughs) to have this opportunity to open my own restaurant!”
A €14.50 lunch menu
And it’s been a great success. She has opted for a €14.50 lunch, including starter and main course, “which changes every week. Of course, favourites such as Pad Thaï and chicken with green curry are always on offer”, says the owner, who draws her inspiration from the seasons. “This winter there will be more soups, for example.”
Once lunchtime has passed, it’s back to the à la carte menu. All the classics are there, spring rolls, papaya salad, green or red curry, woks… and the cook even offers a sticky rice that is rare to find in Luxembourg! “I want to introduce as many people as possible to real Thai food” she explains.
The place may be small — “seating for about 16″ – but it’s open non-stop from 11am to 8pm and takeaway sales are going well, with packaging to match the interior decoration. There’s also a small terrace overlooking the playground on rue des Capucins, so when the weather’s fine, you can sit back and enjoy a homemade cocktail with your pad thai! So, Chok Dee isn’t it?
Chok Dee
23, rue des Capucins,
L-1313 Ville-Haute Luxembourg
Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm non-stop
