Pim Techamuanvivit Opening Union Square Thai Spot

Pim Techamuanvivit, the Bangkok-reared food writer and blogger, got into cooking because the only way she could replicate the authentic food of her homeland was to make it herself. Now, she'll be sharing those recipes with the rest of SF, as she gears up to open Kin Khao, a Thai restaurant in the Parc 55 Hotel in Union Square. According to Inside Scoop, it'll replace the existing Thai restaurant there, Smooth Thai, but Techamuanvivit is partnering with Smooth Thai's owner, Chupot Janlaor.

Techamuanvivit will be joined in the kitchen by Michael Gaines, a Manresa and Central Kitchen alum, and will offer a small menu of authentic dishes with as many ingredients as possible, from chili jam to curry, made in-house. Sustainable seafood and dry-aged beef will be used. The restaurant will also have full liquor, and Techamuanvivit has brought in the Bon Vivants (Trick Dog) to consult on the cocktail menu.

The plan is to do a quick remodel of the 70-seat Smooth Thai space, then open up Kin Khao (which translates to "let's eat" in Thai) sometime in November. The plan is to stay open until 2 am nightly, so it'll also be a great spot for industry folks and night owls to grab a bite in the wee hours. Fun bonus fact: Techamuanvivit's significant other is David Kinch of Manresa, meaning cityside diners might get to see a little more of him.

· Kin Khao takes a Thai cook back home [Chron]
· Kin Khao: San Francisco's forthcoming Thai restaurant [Inside Scoop]
· Chez Pim [Official website]