Peter and Kwan Bellhouse have been the owners of Kwan Thai restaurant in Pearl River, New York, for the past 17 years. On any given night, customers can find Peter’s warm smile and charming personality as he invites them into the restaurant or tends bar, making all who enter feel welcomed and part of the Kwan Thai family. Kwan, whose attention to detail and nearly 20 years’ experience as the head chef, leads the kitchen staff and crafts a unique menu that is the perfect realization of her vision: authentic, delicious, and handmade cuisine in a warm, inviting, and friendly atmosphere. Kwan Thai has been a staple in the Pearl River community and one of the premier Thai restaurants in the Hudson Valley. Every dish is carefully and delicately made to order, providing a truly unique experience in every bite, and the can be customed for any taste preference including mild, medium, spicy, or Thai spicy for the most adventurous diner. Kwan Thai also offers a variety of sauces made in house—a perfect complement to any dish in the restaurant or at home.
Aside from their loyal customer base who come back time and again to enjoy a favorite dish or try something new, Peter and Kwan have become a staple in the Pearl River and greater Rockland community through their many charitable endeavors which include the Pearl River and Nanuet Rotary, Meals on Wheels, P.R.Chamber of Commerce, ARC’s “A Taste of Rockland”, People to People, Lourdes Kids Of Rockland, Franklin Ave. PTA, and a ton of local sports teams and school sport sponsor. During the pandemic they generously supplied food to the neighboring hospital including Westchester Hospital and Valley Hospital; the Orangetown Police and PBA and the local Ambulance Corps. Through the past 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses, especially in the food-service industry, were shut down and unable to stay open, Peter, Kwan, and their entire staff worked tirelessly, transitioning to take-out only for a period of time and gradually working to allow customers back in to the restaurant safely. There is little doubt that Kwan Thai remained open and operating in large part due to the community’s reciprocation of all the good-will and charity the Bellhouse’s imparted on so many over the years.
Peter, a member of AOH Division #3 in Pearl River since 2009, is originally from Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County. Peter is a graduate of Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, and earned his Hotel Restaurant Management A.S. in 1993 and his International Sales and Meeting Management B.S. Degree B.S.in 1995from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. Aside from working with his wife and co-owner Kwan at the restaurant, Peter is also a laborer in Local 754, Construction Craft Laborers.
Kwan is from north east Thailand, Nakon Phanon, and is the oldest of 4 children. Kwan is passionate about her cooking and happy not only to share her talents in bringing delicious meals to her customers, but also in educating all who come to her restaurant about Thailand, its food, and its culture.
Peter and Kwan both love Pearl River, where they have lived since 2004. They met on a cruise in Tahiti while on vacation in 2001 Peter and Kwan are proud parents to their two boys, Tyler (13) and Sean (10).