Thai Coconut Bay restaurant under new ownership in Pahrump

The Thai Coconut Bay restaurant in Pahrump will have a few new dishes added to its menu in the coming months with new ownership taking over at the beginning of July.

Chef Peter Hung, who has worked in the industry more than 25 years, including on the Las Vegas Strip, said there are plans to add more Chinese and classic Thai food options to the menu.

Hung and his wife, Zita He, took over the restaurant just after the July Fourth holiday from China Wok owner Jinfu Shao and his partner.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed for the restaurant that has operated at 270 Dahlia St. since the early part of 2015.

Coconut Bay has added a few appetizers already but the menu additions could take a little time, He said.

Many of the popular dishes that locals have enjoyed will be kept on the menu, she added.

Other additions for the menu include more seafood options and more labels at the bar, especially wine, He said.

The menu is already full of several options already for Thai and Chinese dishes, including many curry dishes: green, pineapple, yellow and red curry, just to name a few. Some of the Chinese menu items include Mongolian beef, kung pao chicken and shrimp with mixed vegetables.

For afternoon dining, Coconut Bay also has many lunch specials on dishes such as Pad Thai, Chow Mein and others for $7.95. The specials are available Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

He said there are also plans to expand appetizers served at its bar area.

Shao, who once housed his China Wok restaurant at the location, said he decided to sell the restaurant after his chef moved back to his home country. Shao never ran that day-to-day operation, he added.

Shao still owns and operates his China Wok Buffet and Grill at 580 S. Highway 160.

Hung has a long history in the industry. He has been a chef at many well-known places, including the VIP area at Wynn Las Vegas, the Rio casino-hotel, M Resort and has owned other ventures in Las Vegas in the past.

Thai Coconut Bay will be closed on Sundays, but there are plans to change this once things are more settled, said He.

So far, Hung and his wife said they were enjoying life in Pahrump, as it was quiet and clean, though the couple still live in Las Vegas. He said they couple is planning to move out to the area.

Contact reporter Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes