Las Vegas’ legendary Thai restaurant, Lotus of Siam, celebrated the grand reopening of its original Sahara Avenue location on June 4. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom joined restaurant leadership in commemorating its return to the Historic Commercial Center.
James Beard Award-winning Chef Saipin Chutima originally opened Lotus of Siam in 1999, weaving family recipes into its menu. Since then, the spot’s Northern Thai cuisine has received recognition from American Chef Anthony Bourdain and Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold. Owners have also opened two other locations, on Flamingo Road and at Red Rock Casino.
The spot’s rise to recognition hasn’t been without challenge. The Sahara Avenue location has closed twice before: once after storm damage in 2017, and again in 2021, due to staffing challenges.
So, why return?
"You build the community around it, you make it stronger. You just don't leave it just because you feel like it doesn't do you any purpose, right? And so, that's what Commercial Center is to us," said Saipin Chutima's daughter, Penny Chutima, who manages Lotus of Siam.
She describes the Sahara location as home and says she’s hopeful that their homecoming can bring more culture to the plaza.
The restaurant will feature an exclusive new cocktail bar, Naam Jai, along with a 6,000-bottle wine cellar and throwback dishes that honor the eatery’s origins.
