The team at Tuk Tuk Thai are delighted with the public response to their move to Porirua’s city centre.
The owners of Tuk Tuk Thai are happy in their new home and are excited to see Porirua’s city centre develop around them.
Opening their restaurant in Hartham Pl in June, Daeng Neuang-keo and partner Chris Wylde have been pleased with the reaction from locals and visitors to their new premises.
“It wasn’t easy leaving Pāuatahanui, because we loved the setting, but we’ve been super busy here and haven’t had too much time to think about it,” Daeng says.
“In the end it’s been the right move - the feedback has been incredibly positive and our regular customers have visited many times.
“We’re getting so many new customers from other parts of the city, especially Titahi Bay, as well as Wellington’s northern suburbs.”
Recently, a couple came from Eastbourne to enjoy Tuk Tuk Thai’s popular offerings.
The business employs 25 people and turnover is well up – last Saturday night 300 diners came through the doors.
“This is really working out for us, there’s a buzz at night,” Chris says.
Daeng says when it came time to relocate from Pāuatahanui, there were thoughts of moving away from Porirua, but in her heart she and Chris knew it was the right one to remain.
The old Video Ezy store required a large fitout, but the décor and mood in the new Tuk Tuk Thai is the talk of the town.
While there is options for outdoor dining, the restaurant also has large folding doors, so they will be open in summer.
“The hope is, if we get some good weather like last summer, that you’ll feel like you’re seated outside, even if you're inside!” Chris says.
With Tuk Tuk Thai and The Post Hotel well-established and other businesses such as Laughalots and Cobb ‘n Co coming, Daeng is optimistic that Porirua’s centre is on the up.
“With the new playground and the Council having got rid of the Canopies, this is the place to be for us.
“What we want is more quality eateries in the centre, to create a hub, with a lot more choices.”
Two exciting developments on the way for Tuk Tuk Thai is Thailand Masterchef winner Vatcharavee Visetpohchanatip coming to cook in the kitchen from 27 -31 December, and plans to turn the space immediately above the restaurant into a cocktail bar.
“The cocktail bar is something we want to do but there is a lot of planning to happen there – stay tuned!” says Daeng.
14 Oct 2019
