EDGEWATER — At Herb, a recently opened Thai restaurant on North Broadway, you won't find favorite Thai dishes like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew anywhere near the menu.
Instead, the upscale joint will serve three- and five-course meals that include "unique elements of Thai that other Thai restaurants don't offer," owner Patty Neumson said Wednesday.
Neumson and Siri Jenthanomma, her business partner and designer, have soft-launched Herb this month at 5424 N. Broadway. A grand opening is set for July 9.
Neumson said as a child she got her passion and inspiration for cooking and eating from her grandmother, who ran a restaurant in the south of Thailand.
Since then, Neumson has opened several restaurants in Chicago — most recently, Satay in Lakeview, which she has sold.
At Herb, the goal is to elevate Thai cuisine.
"My vision and my dream is to create a nice place where people can come and be happy and eat healthy food," Neumson said.
The food at Herb changes with the season under the leadership of chef Kee Chen.
Summer dishes include raw blue shrimp for starters, turmeric trio mushroom soup and Red Snapper, duck, steak and herbal rice with kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, among others. Prices range from $8-$22, but Neumson encourages diners to try the three-course meal for $35 or five-course meal for $55.
Jenthanomma, the designer, said the restaurant would apply for a license to serve alcohol. BYOB is encouraged.
"We are fine dining, but we are a smart-casual fine dining," she added.
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