Expect Thai with a twist at CHERN, the soon-to-open fusion restaurant from the Chalong team
The crew behind a cherished Chapel Hill restaurant is expanding its portfolio to Kenmore, opening a brand-new 50-seat eatery dedicated to serving flavour-packed fusion-style eats. Expect the likes of 12-hour slow-cooked beef ribs, barbecue wagyu skewers and bao buns, plus a tidy list of wines and cocktails. Here’s what we know …
When Nail Saengin and Garfield Pachnoi opened Chalong in Chapel Hill a little over one year ago, they did so with the intent of showcasing and celebrating authentic Thai and Southeast Asian flavours. Chalong’s menu blended heritage and modernity to great results, with the restaurant’s Phuket-style soy-braised pork belly, deep-fried Hat Yai-inspired chicken bites and gai gor lae (Southern-style grilled chicken skewers) quickly cementing it as a local favourite.
In the middle of May, Nail and Garfield will look to broaden their gastronomic scope with CHERN, a brand-new restaurant more firmly rooted in contemporary culinary trends. The restaurant is taking shape over on Wongabel Street in Kenmore, with the duo transforming a vacant restaurant space into a chic eatery dedicated to modern Asian cuisine.
“[Chalong] is really about [Garfield’s] background and where she is from – she wanted to represent the southern Thai area,” explains Nail. “With this one, we will still do things in an authentic way and give the guests really good quality old-school cooking, but we’re adding a twist of a little bit of fusion. We’d like to create a space for a different type of cuisine at CHERN.”
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With help from Clui Design and Lowry Group, Nail and Garfield are completely renovating CHERN’s home. Behind a jewel-green exterior will sit a 30-seat indoor dining space and bar (footpath dining for a further 15 guests will also be available), with a crisp material palette of green-and-white tiles, and concrete accented by timber fixtures.
In CHERN’s kitchen, Garfield will be showcasing her technical ability across a punchy menu fusing Thai and Southeast Asian eats. Expect the likes of slow-cooked beef ribs with green curry and salted egg yolk, char-grilled king prawns, barbecue wagyu skewers, bao buns, dumplings, and more. On the beverage front, CHERN will serve a menu of wines curated to match with the food, as well as a tidy selection of cocktails and beer.
Where Chalong’s overall approach to hospitality is defined by its name (‘chalong’ means ‘celebrate’ in Thai), CHERN’s unique ethos can be distilled similarly.
“Churn means welcoming in Thailand,” says Nail. “We’d really like to welcome guests to try authentic Asian dishes, made with modern techniques and skills – just high-quality food and good service.”
CHERN is set to open in May – stay tuned for an up-close look once the venue opens.