In the middle of New Orleans’ Central Business District, Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro just landed a serious international nod: Thai Select 1‑Star certification from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. The stamp of approval is reserved for restaurants serving authentic Thai cuisine with high‑quality food and full‑service hospitality, which now puts Good Catch in a small club of U.S. spots holding the coveted star. For Chef Aom Srisuk and co‑owner Frankie Weinberg, the recognition caps years of quietly pushing real‑deal Thai flavors in a neighborhood better known for power lunches than papaya salad.
According to Biz New Orleans, Good Catch was inspected in September 2025 by a team from the Thai Trade Center in Chicago and the Royal Thai Consulate‑General, then received final review and approval from the Department of International Trade Promotion in Bangkok. The outlet reports that 246 restaurants in the United States now hold Thai Select certification, including 144 with a 1‑Star designation and 29 with 2‑Star recognition.
Chef Aom told Biz New Orleans that “access to ingredients is of course one challenge in Louisiana,” and she pointed to finding cooks with a true “Thai tongue” as an even steeper climb. Weinberg added that the team would be happy to chase a higher Thai Select rating down the line, while staying mindful that no award should ever upstage the restaurant’s relaxed warmth and hospitality.
What Thai Select Means
The Thai Select program, administered overseas by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion, now uses a star system to recognize both authenticity and quality. Assessors evaluate flavor and presentation, ingredient sourcing, chef expertise, hygiene, ambiance and service, according to Nation Thailand. Officials say the different tiers are meant to help diners around the world easily spot restaurants that maintain authentic Thai taste along with international service standards.
How This Lands In NOLA
Good Catch sits at 828 Gravier Street in the Central Business District and has built a reputation for seafood‑forward Thai dishes, according to its website (Good Catch). Assessors sampled dishes straight from the regular menu during their visit, and the restaurant is listed among the participating spots for New Orleans Restaurant Week and the Coolinary programs that help drive summer and August dining traffic (Axios New Orleans).
The Thai Select honor gives local diners one more reason to venture beyond the city’s usual Creole and Cajun standbys in search of regional cuisines, while also spotlighting the everyday hurdles of sourcing Thai ingredients and training cooks in traditional techniques. For Good Catch’s owners, the plaque on the wall is less about a sudden breakthrough and more about steady craft, consistency and hospitality, and they say the plan is to keep the menu approachable while continuing to deepen its authenticity.
