The chef is Sriprai, and just before the name change (From just Honey's) the menu items were a bit more American-style Thai. I'd speculate that going more traditional with the preparations is their way of differentiating themselves from the other, busier Thai place only a block away. My wife and I are weekly regulars and they have gone on and off being able to take credit for years, so that part isn't new.
You should give them your feedback. The chef did change when I last went there a few months ago. Not sure if there was a change yet again. In my case, the staff said that the chef changed and that the food would be more traditional. My curry dish was excellent.
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