Atchana's Homegrown Thai is now open for lunch

Coconut Grove's newest restaurant Atchana's Homegrown Thai opened for lunch this week, they had already been open for dinner for about a month. And it's what you would expect from Atchana - excellence.

This is an interesting starter. Miang Kham, you wrap leaves with these small items, fresh from the farm: coconut, lime, ginger, garlic, dried shrimp, peanuts, shallots peppers and tamarind.

We dined outside and as is the case with the dinner crowd, it was a crowd. Every table was taken. The location is perfect on the wide sidewalk winding around Commodore Plaza and Grand Avenue.

The lunch menu is small, but varied and I was informed by Steve  Capellini, Atchana's husband and co-owner that they will prepare anything from their dinner menu during lunch, if requested. I liked the fact that Steve is there full time and was quite surprised when Atchana brought out our soup, even though we had a waitress and server helping us. The fact that Atchana brought the soup out and had physically just hand made it, meant a lot. I don't know why I assumed she was not there, why wouldn't she be at her namesake restaurant, literally hands-on in the kitchen?

Everything was fresh and excellent. We ate light, but normally would have had the curry and other dishes. This is the Thai Trio, a house salad with a veggie roll (one half is gone here, eaten), and it comes with soup.

Wanton soup.

Tom yum gai.

Thai doughnuts.

On the lunch menu, you'll find: Noodle Bowls and Rice Bowls and other good things. On the dinner menu, which is quite large, you'll find all your favorites from Satay, Thai Beef, Curry, Pad Thai and so much more.

They offer beer, wine and sake, with lunch or dinner.

Atchana's Homegrown Thai is located at 3194 Commodore Plaza | 305-774-0404 | open 7 days, noon to 11 pm. And there is Atchana's inside the Mutiny Hotel at 2951 S. Bayshore Drive | 305-774-0409. open 7 days, noon to 11 pm.