The Thai word for lotus flower is bua, which is why restaurant owner Teerapha “Don” Chaiprathum has named his little jewel box of a restaurant Bua Thai. It’s a visually sophisticated dining room tucked into a nondescript building on Blue Springs’ busiest commercial strip. In its previous life, this restaurant was part of the Thai Place empire, and even today, the Bua Thai menu is a Siamese twin to that of its predecessor. But that’s a good thing, because Chaiprathum maintains the same high culinary standards expected by fans of the former restaurant’s signature dishes — seafood phad Thai; generously laden appetizer platters; rum-marinated chicken; and the Bangkok version of surf and turf, here called “East Meets West.” The service is friendly and attentive, and the recorded music, performed by Thailand’s big pop stars, sounds like all-American country ... and disco. — Charles Ferruzza
Price: $$-$$$
Payment Type: All Major Credit Cards, cash
Parking: Lot Available
Reservations: Accepted
Attire: casual
