Thai restaurants in Birmingham celebrate double anniversary

Earlier this month, Thai fine dining restaurant Sabai Sabai Harborne celebrated its third birthday, while the Moseley branch will mark a full decade in early November, with the launch of a new celebration menu.

Husband and wife team, Torquil and Juree Chidwick, first opened Sabai Sabai as a small, cosy, family-run Thai restaurant in Moseley 10 years ago with just 25 covers.

Torquil, who was born and raised in Moseley, and Juree, who was born in Thailand, were both straight out of Bradford University at the time and found running a small business to be ‘a huge learning curve.'

To make their dream a success they enlisted the help of their families to help get the business off the ground. Chef Suvanna, Juree's mother, ran the kitchen for a year, with Torquil's brother Ciaran (now studying wine in London) working front of house.

In 2005 the couple negotiated an extension of the Moseley branch, upping their covers to 44 with Yui, Juree's cousin, as manager. Torquil and Juree then set their sights on a new venture in Harborne.

"People thought we were taking on too much of a risk," said the couple, but despite this Torquil and Juree pushed on to open their second venue in a new development on Harborne High Street in 2011.

The Harborne restaurant recreates Eastern sophistication with carved wooden benches and low, inviting lighting. The contemporary chic decor and the menu have both proven very popular with the locals.

Juree Chidwick, co-founder of Sabai Sabai, said:

"My heart has always been in Thailand, and with my most of family working as chefs or owning restaurants over there, it seemed only natural to open a restaurant and bring a little bit of Thailand to us. We're so happy that Sabai Sabai has done so well and hope that we are able to continue to grow."

Sabai Sabai's new ‘Celebration Tasting Menu' will be unveiled to coincide with the Thai festival of Loy Krathong on 7 November.  

Having attended and enjoyed a preview dinner, we can reveal that the new menu will feature:

Scallops with a chilli and lime dressing

Seabass topped with a spicy mango and apple salad

Monk Fish smeared in green curry and wrapped in aubergine

Lamb Chops chargrilled with garlic and fresh peppercorn

Sirloin Steak chargrilled and served in a Massaman curry

Roast Duck with a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce served on a bed of pak choi

Trio of desserts - Thai Pandan Pancakes, Chocolate Cheese Cake, Coconut Pannacotta

Author: ahmed