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Vila Thai Team

With the Dec. 1 opening of Vila Thai Cuisine, Tucsonans can start saying there actually is a Thai food scene in town.

Co-owner Vila Jarrell, 36, and her sister, 47-year-old Joy Phengsavanh, moved from Seattle about two months ago. They left behind other Thai restaurants in Seattle to open Vila.

The small, second-level restaurant sits above The Fat Greek restaurant and is a serene oasis away from bustling University Boulevard. Seating capacity is 33 inside and 20 outside, with more outdoor seating soon being added.

"We chose Tucson," Jarrell said, "because we want to elevate Thai cuisine to the next level. We feel that Tucsonans deserve better when it comes to Thai cuisine."

Doing "better" includes cooking with organic tofu, offering brown rice and preparing dishes according to clients' requests, whether that be for gluten allergies or vegan.

"My sister is awesome with curry," said Jarrell of Joy, who is Vila's chef. "She also loves to cook. She's been cooking 20-some years."

Vila hosts other events, including 7-9 p.m. poetry nights every Monday and a band playing every second Thursday evening. A baby grand piano is on its way, and local art will hang on Vila's walls.

By Valerie Vinyard
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/163706.php