Heading into the space that last housed Amorcito Corazón Mexican Bistro at 3442 30th Street in San Diego's North Park is Soi 30th, a modern Thai fusion gastropub set to debut later this month.
Owned by Rikiya & Khwanta Osanai, Soi 30th aims to bring a different Thai dining experience to San Diego with a menu that features amped up versions of traditional dishes like curries, soups, salads and noodles, as well as modern fusion items including a Thai street hot dog, Khao Soi burger, chicken satay sandwich, Panang burger, and Thai seafood spaghetti. The restaurant will also offer vegetarian & vegan options and craft beers on tap, as well as cans and bottles of local and Thai brews.
"Soi, in Thai, means little street," explained chef and owner Khwanta Osanai. "We aim to open our customer’s palates to Thai dishes that they haven’t experienced much before. While we do offer most of the dishes that people are used to seeing on Thai menu’s in San Diego, our menu is comprised of authentic dishes from all regions of Thailand. A big portion of our menu would also be considered 'Thai Street Food,' as well as a bit of fusion dishes as well."
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| Pork Phaloa - 5 spiced stewed pork with shitake mushrooms, carrots, and a hard boiled egg |
Chef Khwanta has been looking for a larger, more central space after selling her last restaurant - Krua Thai Cuisine in Chula Vista - which she opened in 2013 and sold in 2016. When Amorcito closed suddenly earlier this month to move to Sorrento Valley, Khwanta scooped up the 1,100 square-foot space to open a contemporary Thai bar and restaurant. The location is currently being renovated to offer a rustic and industrial design with both interior seating and an outdoor patio, incorporating colorful custom Pop, comic-book-style artwork by local Thai artists & graphic designers into the decor. The aim is to build a fun and playful space without pretense.
"Our goal from the start was to be as different as possible from all other Thai restaurants in San Diego," continued Khwanta, who has worked at Thai restaurants for over a decade. "And not just the menu, but also the feel of the space. Most Thai restaurants in San Diego are either upscale or holes in the wall. There aren’t many places that are in between. We wanted to be fresh, modern and hip all at the same time. A lot of our menu items are unique as well. The flavors of our dishes are bolder and heartier than the others."
Soi 30th is anticipated to soft open on August 25. For more information, including a working menu, visit soi30th.com.
"Our goal from the start was to be as different as possible from all other Thai restaurants in San Diego," continued Khwanta, who has worked at Thai restaurants for over a decade. "And not just the menu, but also the feel of the space. Most Thai restaurants in San Diego are either upscale or holes in the wall. There aren’t many places that are in between. We wanted to be fresh, modern and hip all at the same time. A lot of our menu items are unique as well. The flavors of our dishes are bolder and heartier than the others."
Soi 30th is anticipated to soft open on August 25. For more information, including a working menu, visit soi30th.com.
