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Sorn Thai is bringing a family collection of southern Thai recipes to McLean, where the new restaurant will celebrate its grand opening Friday at Chesterbrook Shopping Center.
Owner Supisa “Boom” Teawbut created the restaurant in honor of her grandmother, who died two years ago and was known for her cooking. Her recipes form the heart of a menu section called “Sorn’s Obsessions.”
Teawbut’s top recommendations include kanom jeen namya, made with rice noodles and fish curry; moo hong, a pork belly stew; and khao yum, a rice salad.
The restaurant, located at 6224E Old Dominion Drive next to Apricot Lane, began a soft opening March 7. Grand-opening customers will receive a complimentary dessert for their table.
Sorn Thai is Teawbut’s second restaurant in the region. She opened Donsak in Washington’s Woodley Park neighborhood in November 2022.
Teawbut originally planned to feature southern Thai cooking at Donsak, which is named after her birthplace of Don Sak. Although its seafood reflects that coastal district, the restaurant’s menu ultimately leaned toward northeastern Thai cuisine, the specialty of co-owner and head chef Boontom Ratana.
For Sorn Thai, Teawbut chose a different direction by putting her grandmother’s southern dishes at the center of the menu. Familiar Thai American staples—including pad Thai, fried rice and ka prow—remain available, but she hopes diners will explore less familiar options.
The appetizer selection includes gyoza and duck rolls. While those items are not strictly Thai, Teawbut said they complement the restaurant’s beer, wine and cocktails.
Sorn Thai’s menu is entirely different from Donsak’s, she said, giving customers a choice between dishes such as papaya salad there and southern Thai curry in McLean.
At 3,055 square feet, the new restaurant is considerably larger than Donsak. Teawbut said Chesterbrook’s suburban setting, ample parking and residential surroundings offered the potential for steadier traffic throughout the day.
She wants Sorn Thai to welcome families and diners of every age, with a clean, comfortable atmosphere that feels like visiting a grandmother’s home for a meal.
Construction delays pushed the opening beyond its original end-of-2024 target. The restaurant opened soon after receiving its final health permits. Although the team planned to serve a limited selection during the soft launch, strong early demand prompted it to introduce nearly the entire menu more quickly.
A brunch menu is still being developed. Teawbut said her immediate priority is refining the main dishes and ensuring the kitchen can manage busy periods.
Sorn Thai is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a break from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Carryout is offered throughout the day. During dinner hours, customers within 2.5 miles can receive free delivery on orders of at least $25.
The opening adds to Chesterbrook Shopping Center’s recovery following renovations and the departure of numerous tenants. Recent arrivals include Framebridge, Apricot Lane and medical spa SkinSpirit.
Small Door Veterinary has not yet opened. Sweetgreen may also be considering the center, according to a letter submitted to Fairfax County zoning staff. Property owner Federal Realty has not confirmed a lease, though a marketing site plan lists Sweetgreen in the former Truist bank space alongside an All Purpose Pizza Shop.