New Michigan Restaurant Opens With Homemade Recipes

It's always such a happy thing when a new Michigan restaurant opens, especially when it's a locally-owned spot. If it's a restaurant with homemade recipes, that's even better. Now, there's a new Michigan restaurant opening, and they have totally homemade recipes with very authentic food.

A new Thai restaurant is opening in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wealthy Street. The restaurant's soft opening happened last week, according to Wood TV News 8, and more than 100 people signed up for the soft opening on social media. The new spot, Thai Table, is located at 950 Wealthy St. SE near Diamond Avenue.

Owner Pennapa Wichian and her husband, Eakkasak Kaosa-ard, told News 8 that they're super happy about the restaurant's opening. "I'm excited," Wichian told the outlet. "This is our first day, we wake up early and … last night I cannot sleep, so excited."

The couple came to the United States from Thailand last Christmas. They told News 8 that they wanted to open Thai Table to bring their authentic, homemade Thai recipes to the Grand Rapid area and greater Michigan. "The menu will feature recipes Wichian learned from her mom, like a Thai omelet soup, a recipe she recently entered in Meals on Wheel’s Annual Chef’s Specialty competition," according to News 8. Also expect plenty of traditional Thai dishes made from recipes passed down from Wicsian's family members, as well as sushi, milk tea and more.

The couple has a description on the restaurant's website of their vision for Thai Table and the origin on the name. "The origin of the name 'Thai Table' was inspired by wanting the diners to be happy," they stated. "Therefore, we have a concept to serve happiness and smiles, along with delicious food. The warm atmosphere is having a meal like a Thai family to your table." I think it's really cool that they want you to feel like you're actually having a dish just like a Thai family would at this restaurant.

Thai Table is already getting some good buzz on social media. They just recently launched, and they already have nearly 300 followers, which I think is a great start.

"I feel good because it takes all effort for this business," Wicsian said in a separate interview with WZZM. "When I see it go up and I see success, it feels so good. Like I said, the effort is more than 100 percent. My hands, my mind, my brain, everything is pushed towards here."

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

When encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.