Couple Isaret Pongop and Sipapar Lekdee said they were “so lucky” to be in the position
Paul and Ping, owners of Little Clove Kitchen on Aigburth Road(Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
A couple “jumped at the opportunity” to open their “dream” restaurant in south Liverpool. Husband Isaret Pongop and wife Sipapar Lekdee, who are originally from Thailand, first came to Liverpool several years ago for work.
The couple have since made the city their home, saying they couldn’t picture themselves living anywhere else in the UK now. Now Isaret and Sipapar have strengthened their connection to the city by opening a friendly neighbourhood Thai restaurant, Little Clove Kitchen.
The couple got the keys to the 166 Aigburth Road premises midway through June and wasted no time in bringing their vision to life. The restaurant has been open since Wednesday, July 2, with Sipapar explaining how the initial reaction to their independent restaurant was a dream come true.
The 35-year-old, who does the company’s marketing, told the ECHO: “It’s been Paul’s dream for many years to have his own restaurant. After 15 years of working for other people, we found this nice location and were financially ready, so we jumped into the opportunity.
The couple “jumped at the opportunity” to open their “dream” restaurant on Aigburth Road(Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
“We are lucky to be so close to Lark Lane with a lower cost of operations. We get the footfall from there. We weren’t sure about Liverpool before we moved here, but once we started living here and settled in, we found that it was quite similar to Thailand.
“Like Thailand, the people here are welcoming and open-minded. They accept other cultures. They live at a slower pace, and they are not too busy; they have time for others. We moved here and have stayed. We would never move anywhere else. We love it here.”
Little Clove Kitchen offers a limited menu to its customers, with the choice of six mains and starters on the menu – a conscious decision made by chef Isaret.
The 37-year-old said the limited options ensure he can make “every single curry paste and foundational flavour from scratch”.
The charcoal grilled chicken curry dish at Little Clove Kitchen on Aigburth Road(Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
Despite only being open for a few weeks, the couple said people have been going mad for their duck curry and beef stir fry.
Isaret said: “You won’t find any off-the-shelf pastes here – just pure, authentic effort. The menu allows us to ensure that every dish that reaches your table is exactly what we dreamed it would be, bursting with flavours we truly love and are incredibly proud of.
“It’s our way of making sure you get only the very best. I have worked in Thai restaurants in many cities across the country. I worked in London, Liverpool, Cambridge, and Southampton.
“Lots of places copy and paste with their dishes, and we didn’t want to do it. We want to create food that is made by Thai people and for everyone, but with the real taste of what Thai people eat.”
Isaret added that the menu options would be regularly updated so customers have a reason to visit again.
Little Clove Kitchen is located at 166 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 7BR. It is open from Wednesday to Friday, 4pm to 10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 10 pm.