Chef Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and his wife, Anita Lin, opened their first restaurant in Tustin in 2023 to much acclaim. Their new spot, which will open at Irvine Spectrum Center this month, manages to be beautiful, cheery and endearing – starting with the “Wall-E” figurine and framed yellow rubber duckies at the entrance. We talked to the chef about the restaurant.
Why the ducks and a movie figurine?
The rubber duckies were a tradition where I used to work. They make me smile! “Wall-E” is the only Disney movie that’s happy from beginning to end.
Did Manaao have its own happy beginnings?
It did! The government of Thailand bestowed its Thai Select accolade on our original location. The L.A. Times included our khao soi noodles among the year’s best dishes.
What sets Manaao’s menu apart?
Many Americans associate Thai food with half a dozen dishes such as pad thai. We offer 40 dishes. This is the food I grew up with. I miss it and want people to try it.
Other new spots at Irvine Spectrum
Din Tai Fung
An army of chefs crafts “the world’s greatest dumplings” in a showcase kitchen visible to passing shoppers. The rest of the Taiwan-based restaurant’s menu gets the same immaculate attention.
Mastro’s Ocean Club
The shimmering special-occasion favorite presents fully customizable seafood towers, fusion sushi, top-tier steaks and chops, desserts worth celebrating, generous cocktails and live music in the bar.
