Soi and Wann Yen Are Open
Two notable new Thai restaurants have recently opened, one specializing in the deeply savory Issan cuisine, the other entirely devoted to Thai sweets:
• Soi, which translates to “side street,” specializes in traditional Thai food, particularly funky, spicy, and boldly flavored dishes (such as green papaya salad with pickled crab and fish sauce, grilled game hen, and sour pork) from the Issan region of Northeast Thailand. “Our food is fiery,” Soi’s menu states, as much a warning as a declaration of pride. You can take a look at the menu here. (The bar menu also features an impressive amount of whiskey and scotch.)
The restaurant, located on what used to be the quiet side street of 10th Avenue at Union Street, opened softly last week in the same building that will house Renee Erickson’s upcoming trio of restaurants, reports CHS. Soi is open daily from 11 a.m. until midnight, and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The owners of beloved weekday lunch spot Thai Curry Simple, Mark and Picha Pinkaow, have opened Wann Yen, a vibrant temple dedicated to Thai shaved ice desserts. Fresh fruit like mango, dates, lychee, and jackfruit are topped with shaved ice and sweet liquids such as rose syrup and evaporated milk. There are also bright green pandan noodles served with sweet corn and smoked coconut. All of Wann Yen’s treats cost just $5.
The Lodge Is Taking Over Charlie’s on Broadway
• The Broadway space that was home to Charlie’s Bar and Grill for nearly 40 years is being taken over by the owners of local chain the Lodge Sports Grille, reports CHS. A rep for the company told CHS that they intend to honor Charlie’s past and that, “We’re not going to try to reinvent the wheel—maybe a spoke or two.” No name for the project yet, but the target opening date is by the end of the year.
Big John Croce Has Passed Away
• John Croce, founder of Pacific Food Importers and Big John’s PFI (my favorite food store in Seattle), passed away this week at the age of 89. “He loved food, drink and music,” reads his obituary. “Big John enjoyed life everyday.”
