Basil Thai blooms in Short North

clipped from www.dispatch.com The opening of Basil Thai restaurant in the Short North this past weekend was a moment the Ruanphae family had thought about for years. The Ruanphae family, whose Chicago-area Thai restaurant has won praise, has opened a new location at 1124 N. High Street. But patience is a family virtue, said Rhome Ruanphae. His mother, Judy Ruanphae, opened the Thai Village restaurant on Division Street in Chicago's Wicker Park district 23 years ago, after coming to the U.S. and working as a nurse for 15 years at a nearby hospital. "She knew what the dangers were," her son said, both financially and, in that area at that time, physically. But she perfected her recipes and built a following as the area improved, and in due time was "discovered" by local media. Mrs. Ruanphae had long considered opening another restaurant, and she and her husband, Sam, began considering Columbus when Rhome moved here 10 years ago.

This year, the family decided it was time. They've taken half of a former antiques shop at 1124 N. High St. and renovated the space, aiming for a sense of permanence.

"We liked the sense of a neighborhood connection in the Short North," Rhome Ruanphae said.

Although much of the space had to be gutted, the dining-room floor is the refinished original, and the sign painted on bricks at the back is from a bygone era. Local businesses did most of the changes, especially Amlin Development and Columbus Architectural Salvage.

Mrs. Ruanphae has come in from Chicago for the opening and will be running the kitchen "until we feel comfortable with what's going on," her son said.

"We are focusing on ingredients that are hard to find here in Columbus -- noodles and spices," Ruanphae said, adding that many will be brought in regularly from Chicago.

The menu is solidly Thai, although Ruanphae suggested that "there's something for everyone in Thai food." He highlighted the crispy roll appetizer ($6.95) and the noodle kee mow ($9.50). Salads start at $5, and dinner entrees rise to $15, for the pla radprick, a whole tilapia in garlic sauce.

One departure might come before long: The Ruanphaes are considering creating a Thai tapas menu.

Basil Thai's dining room can seat 52, while a room at the back holds 38 more and can be used as a party room. The long bar accommodates about a dozen.

The restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. every day for dine-in and carryout. A dine-in lunch special of soup, appetizer and noodle or rice dish is $7.50. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.