A Thai restaurant in New Westminster makes its debut on Food Network Canada's You Gotta Eat Here! next weekend.
Comedian and host John Catucci visits Longtail Kitchen at the Quay, one of three joints to be showcased in the half-an-hour segment on Friday, May 8.
The series, now in its fourth season, follows Catucci across Canada as he tries to find the best comfort food.
"It's exciting to get any recognition in New West," said Longtail Kitchen chef Justin Cheung, who's featured in the episode. "I think it was quite an interesting experience."
Producers approached the restaurant last summer, asking staff if they wouldn't mind being on the show. Filming then took place for two days in November.
Cheung's menu included pad thai, papaya salad, chicken wings and a chang mai chicken curry noodle.
"He liked everything I think, especially the pad thai and chicken curry, because of his ethnicity. He's Italian, so anything with noodles and pasta are right up his alley," he told the Record.
Unlike some Thai restaurants, Cheung said Longtail Kitchen makes everything from scratch while adhering to the traditional Thai cooking methods.
That includes making the curry pastes in house, as well as importing noodles from Thailand once a week.
"We try to use all fresh produce. You'll see a lot of true ingredients to Thailand that most Thai restaurants don't have," he added.
Service, meanwhile, is also similar to the Asian country's practices. Rather than being served, diners go up to the counter and order straight from the cook, just like a tourist walking down Thailand's streets would.
Adopting this concept has allowed Cheung and his team to step out of their comfort zone, the local said.
"It forces us to interact with customers, and it's a really great way to see their reaction when they eat the food."
Cheung, who plans on having some kind of viewing party with family and friends, anticipates a busy week once the episode airs next Friday night at 6 p.m. PST.
"Especially with Mother's Day and everything, I think it will do a lot of good for all of New Westminster, not just us," he said. "I expect it to keep going up from here."
Longtail Kitchen, which recently won silver in the Best Thai category at Vancouver Magazine's 2015 Restaurant Awards, is located at 810 Quayside Drive.
For the full menu, visit longtailkitchen.com.
