CrushCraft Thai Street Eats to open at Quadrangle in January

Paul Singhapong and Jack Nuchkasem

This just in a little while ago: Another new Thai restaurant is opening in town, and this time the Quadrangle, in Uptown, is ground zero.

Chef Paul Singhapong and Jack Nuchkasem plan to debut CrushCraft Thai Street Eats in January. CrushCraft bills itself as a fast-casual Thai eatery with a fresh, from-scratch menu. Jones Baker is creating the design.

Singhapong was the original executive chef of Cru Food and Wine Bar but spent time on the lines at Crescent Court Hotel’s Beau-Nash Restaurant, the French Room at the Adolphus Hotel, the Melrose Hotel and the Mansion on Turtle Creek.  Nuchkasem’s an ex-hotel guy, too. Singhapong will be executive chef, while Nuchkasem will run the front of house and act as general manager.

“We feel as though some of the traditional techniques and methods to make great Thai food, admittedly not the most efficient, is somewhat a lost art.  We will take a very handmade approach to the menu and want to bring back some of those traditions and share that experience with our diners,” says Singhapong.

A CrushCraft spokesperson says the menu will be made up of three different sections.  The “Humble Homey” section will be traditional Thai cuisine found prevalent in open markets such as Soi Khaosan, Saphan Khwai, and Chatuchak found in Bangkok. The “Swanky Citizen” section will be made up of favorite Thai items one might tend to expect from a restaurant of this kind such as Phat Thai, Khao Soi and Papaya Salad.  The “For Chefs” section will rotate monthly and consist of items that are intended to push the envelope and are more chef-driven and creative such as Sweet Pork Belly Curry, Kai Yaang and Braised Short Ribs.  A bar menu will consist of Southeast Asian premium imports, local drafts, and a selection of sake and soju.