Sam Sriweawnetr of Thailand, the owner of the Thai Blossom Restaurant on Main Street in Rangeley, points to the news article from a Boston newspaper that explains how Sriweawnetr saved the lives of six Americans who were held hostage in Iran in 1979. RANGELEY — If you’re looking for just that special place to eat, why not try the Thai Blossom Restaurant on Main Street. Owner/chef Sam Sriweawnetr has been practicing the art of Thai cuisine for over 50 years.

For the past eight years, Sriweawnetr and his sister, Nuantip Blackmar, have operated the restaurant in Rangeley.

Open from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week, there are lots of choices on the four-page menu such as Thai Blossom Curry Puffs, favorites fried egg rolls, chicken and seafood salads, hot and sour soup, chili shrimp, curry duck, spicy string beans, a cashew nut stir-fry and many kinds of noodles and fried rice. The restaurant also offers catering and the unique feature — ice, fruit and vegetable carvings.

Sriweawnetr moved to the United States in 1980 with his wife and three children; he now has seven grandchildren.

He also owns a restaurant in Boston, Mass., The Equator, which is operated by his daughter, Sarah.

A consultant for many years for Grand Casinos Inc., Sriweawnetr has traveled all over the United States for the company setting up buffets, assisting with establishing kitchens and making out menus. He also served as a chef to the Kennedys and the Bush family, and has many photographs on the wall of his restaurant showing such occasions, along with a photo of United Senator Paul Tsongas of Lowell, Mass. as he welcomed the Sriweawnetr family to America.

In 1979 Sriweawnetr said he was involved in the Iranian hostage crisis when he helped six Americans to escape. Sriweawnetr was a chef at the American Embassy in Tehran when at 10 p.m. one night he took the six Americans to his apartment and hid them, calling Ken Taylor, the U.S. Ambassador, who came and got them taking them to the Canadian Embassy and then to freedom. Sriweawnetr was called a hero in the newspaper articles he has on display.