Avocado curry and crispy catfish with apple, Bai Bua brings inventive Thai to Keizer

Talk about a glow-up. A former Quiznos in Keizer's Sandy River shopping plaza is now Bai Bua Thai Kitchen. The restaurant's name, according to owner Vichuda Stine, means lotus leaf. 

Known as "Nui" to regular customers, Stine has owned several restaurants previously. She opened Tup Tim Thai Cuisine on South Commercial Street in 2012, as well as subsequent Tup Tim locations in California. Stine said regular customers to have long asked her when she plans to open a location in Keizer. Eventually, she answered their requests. 

The former Quiznos space has been reinvented from a counter-service model into a sit-down cafe with an open kitchen. The addition of charcoal-hued wooden tables, black chairs, glass pendant lights and paintings of chandeliers transform the room into a casual, comfortable eatery. 

The open kitchen means that guests can see chef Suphap Anurit as he stir-fries and sauces each plate. 

The new restaurant's menu is similar to that at Tup Tim, Stine said, but with even more options; curries, noodles, seafood dishes and lots of Thai salads. 

All the big-sellers are there, including tom kha, coconut milk soup with galangal, lime leaf, lemongrass, and lots of mushrooms ($6-15); pad Thai and pad kee mao; and a full rainbow of coconut-based curries.

In addition are plenty of dishes that tread into more distinctive territory. Avocado Curry ($11-17) includes hunks of the fruit in curry sauce, with green beans, zucchini and bell peppers. Shrimp Nap Prik Pao ($15) are stir-fried with a Thai red chili jam and vegetables, topped with crispy leaves of Thai basil. Several dishes feature duck, including deeply savory Duck Over Spinach ($16), crispy duck breast with tender spinach. 

Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Stine offers a robust menu of more than 20 lunch specials. They range from $9 to $13 and come with soup and salad.

If you go

Bai Bua Thai Kitchen

Where: 5133 River Road North, Keizer

Phone: 503-990-7451 503-339-7499

Infomation: www.baibuathaikeizer.com