Choun's fresh, authentic Thai will wake up your taste buds
Choun's Restaurant's mid-June opening in downtown Wheaton represents a milestone for chef Chounphit Hatsady and an opportunity for diners to tuck in to some seriously fresh yet reasonably priced Thai food.
The new restaurant offers traditional Thai specialties as well as a few American dishes, dubbed “Thai with a twist.” A number of recipes the kitchen relies on were handed down from Hatsady's relatives in Thailand.
Hatsady is no stranger in town. Many locals first became acquainted with her during the years she operated the now-defunct Pad Thai Etc elsewhere in town. The chef also has had plenty of exposure as a regular vendor at the Wheaton French Market.
Choun's occupies a nicely refurbished space, which was previously occupied by Austin BBQ. The restaurant's understated, warm, contemporary decor has no Thai imagery. The main dining room seats about 100 at booths and banquettes, while a private-party room can accommodate about 80 customers.
Couples on a date, families with children and those celebrating a special occasion will find Choun's a viable option.
To start, bar service gives patrons a selection of cocktails, wines and beers, including many on tap.
For those not as familiar with Thai fare, the well-trained, knowledgeable staff is at the ready to answer questions about the menu.
A recent dinner at Choun's began with an old favorite: a shared order of fresh spring rolls cut into 10 pieces and accompanied by a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. Lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, cilantro and carrots filled the wrappers. In addition, I was given a choice of chicken or tofu and went with the former.
Available appetizers included pot stickers, chicken satay and crispy crab rangoon, among others.
Anyone partial to curry dishes needn't be shy about ordering Choun's curry, of which four iterations are available. Its spicy green version packs a warming kick and is worth exploring. It features an amalgam of green curry paste, coconut milk, green beans, basil, onion and shrimp. A bowl of white rice comes on the side.
Drunken Noodles, my tablemate's satisfying entree choice, was a recent addition to the menu. Fresh flat rice noodles mingled in a savory sauce, sharing the plate with beef, sprouts, chilies and fresh basil.
Diners also will find dishes like a six-ounce beef tenderloin, Tom Yum hot and sour soup and the restaurant's signature pad Thai.
Desserts are few in number and include favorites such as sticky rice with mangos and seasonally flavored ice creams. But if pumpkin custard, served in a tiny, hollowed-out pumpkin, is available, I recommend giving it a go.
Or, if you prefer, Thai iced coffee or tea can stand in as dessert.
Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.
Choun's
226 W. Front St., Wheaton, (630) 868-3303,
Cuisine: Thai with a twist
Setting: Casual dining complemented by a refurbished decor
Prices: Appetizers: $7-$10; entrees: $13-$15; desserts: $4-$7
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Also: Reservations; dine in or take out; street parking