Before Napa Thai and Asian Cuisine ever existed, restaurant co-owners Sathaporn “Bobby” Preechasathit and Chalermwong “First” Sukpanishakul had a vision that incorporated Thai traditions with their own spin. Former marketing professionals, the two worked to create a distinct brand. “Napa is a Thai word,” Sukpanishakul said. “It means ‘to the sky.’” It calls to mind a certain connotation—something positive, soothing and elegant, he said. Its logo focuses on a horizon, the point in the sky where the sun meets the sea. The goal was to create a welcoming dining experience that gives diners a sense of luxury and comfort. Diners can enjoy their meals on the plush sofa at the front of the restaurant, order drinks from the full bar and listen to jazz music often played on the speakers. Sukpanishakul and Preechasathit also wanted their food to leave an impression. Both went through culinary training in Thailand, which focused on authentic Thai cuisine. The sauces that are served in Napa Thai dishes reflect these traditional recipes and cooking techniques, but they are used in more innovative ways. For example, Napa offers a scallop risotto that is seasoned with a Thai-style sauce made with lemongrass and coconut milk, which tastes like tom kha gai soup—a well-known staple from Thailand, Preechasathit said. One of the most popular orders is the roasted duck curry, featuring cuts of crispy duck with a creamy red sauce, Sukpanishakul said. Compared to many Western foods, Thai cuisine is very aromatic, Preechasathit said. Dishes also highlight several flavors—sweet, sour and salty—instead of simply one. Sukpanishakul said they wanted to offer dishes not found in other restaurants in a way that was authentic. “We just wanted to do something different,” he said. Napa Thai and Asian Cuisine 5005 Colleyville Blvd., Ste. 240, Colleyville 682-325-4588 www.napathaicuisine.com Hours: Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sat. noon-10 p.m.; Sun. noon-9 p.m.; closed Mon.