Thai restaurant in Toronto has closed and here's what's already replaced it
A contemporary Thai restaurant in downtown Toronto has permanently closed its doors after just six months in business due to trademark and branding issues.
Same Same (Thai) but Different, formerly located in the Entertainment District, was a modern, refreshing take on Thai cuisine, with dishes like grilled pork cheeks, crispy shrimp toast, egg fried rice, beef holy basil, and of course, pad Thai. Meals were accompanied by a signature cocktail menu inspired by characters from HBO's The White Lotus.
The restaurant was helmed by Chef Warakorn "Tempo" Suriyawong, who led the team at Vancouver's Song (by Kin Kao) to Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.
In an unexpected turn of events, staff at the restaurant revealed this week that Same Same had closed due to "branding matters," as another company owns the trademark for "same same but different."
Fans of the restaurant can breathe a sigh of relief, though, because while "different," the space will remain the "same" in a sense. In the announcement, staff also revealed that the well-established Thai restaurant chain, Thairoomgrand, would be sweeping in to replace Same Same.
This latest opening represents Thairoomgrand's seventh location in the GTA, with others in North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Pickering, Newmarket, and Toronto.
The menu at its King West location will be much different from all other Thairoomgrand restaurants, and will follow a similar concept to Same Same in terms of offering a fresh interpretation of Thai food, one of the restaurant's partners, Brian T, tells blogTO.
The interior of the restaurant will also largely remain the same, and is already open for business with limited menus.
You can now find Thairoomgrand's flagship location at 303 King St. W.
Fareen Karim
