Thai Baan opened at 450 5th Street in September.

A new Thai restaurant opened in mid September, replacing the former Kurata Japanese restaurant in Lake Oswego.

According to Dave Steele, the CFO of the restaurant’s corporation and husband of co-owner Noi Steele, the community response to Thai Baan Thai Cuisine at 450 5th Street has been exemplary.

Noi Steele, who was born in Thailand, owns Noi Massage Comfort and Spa just three doors down from Thai Baan and decided to go into business with Thitphan Braxton, who has a food service background, to open the restaurant. Dave said they liked the convenience of the two shops residing next to each other and that they used to get many questions asking about Thai restaurant recommendations at the massage parlor.

Thai Baan cooks northeast-style Thai food and has dishes ranging from pad thai to curry, fried rice, soups, noodles, Thai iced tea (which Dave said is “second to none”) and much more.

“The food has been so well received,” Steele said, adding “far exceeding expectations.”

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week and will soon serve alcohol. There is also outdoor seating.

“We want (customers) to feel that we are friendly, we appreciate their business and that they are getting authentic Thai food and that they have a comfortable atmosphere to eat in,” Dave said.

Dave recommended people call for reservations for dinner seating. For more information, visit http://www.thaibaanna.com/.