Billy Heinzman and partner Katy Noochla-or, who co-own Tuk Tuk Thai in Beverlywood, Rambutan Thai in Silver Lake and Chadaka Thai in Burbank, hope to open Soi 56 on Cahuenga in March, specializing in Thai street food. “Soi 56 is a street [in Bangkok] where they have a lot of great noodle shops,” said Heinzman. 5 and 6 are also the last two digits in the address.
Noochla-or’s family is originally from Bangkok, but has had restaurants in Los Angeles for 35 years, starting Chao Krung on Hollywood Boulevard before moving it to the Fairfax district 32 years ago. “Mom’s place,” as Billy calls it, is likely the oldest Thai restaurant in L.A. “Katy’s mother has 8 sisters, and they all cook,” says Heinzman. “All the cousins cook too.” The chef at Soi 56 will be family member Aoi Ratanamanee.
The space previously housed a Russian restaurant called Astoria, which was best known for their gold lame curtains, stage with dancing girls and liberal vodka consumption. For the redesign, Billy and Katy recruited friend Chris Rusay. Five years ago, they met at Rambutan Thai while watching a Lakers game. Rusay featured concrete floors, light wood, a white-topped bar, bamboo lanterns and panels touting iconic Thai images like Buddha and a tuk-tuk.
Soi 56 should open in March, but they won’t have a wine and beer license until April. When they do, expect craft beers on tap, including “palatable lighter beers for spicy food,” St. Bernardus ABT 12 and Schneider wheat beer.
Related Posts
3 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Pingback: vagaa就是waga..搜噶寺内… » Taiwan Beer Tapping China on February 21, 2009
- Pingback: Taiwan Beer Tapping China : i am font of mike..是的 his my god on February 21, 2009
- Pingback: piggy有事哦~~有事call我~(≧▽≦)/~啦啦啦 » Blog Archive » katie beers madea goes to jail movie review on February 21, 2009
Leave a comment