Preaw Whan (Thai Super Chef's old space)

Preaw Whan just opened...tonight in fact.

Dee, the new owner, is from California and has taken over the space formerly inhabited by Thai Super Chef. I get told the name means sweet and sour.

They have the new dine-in menu already printed, but still the old TSC takeout menus. New items include: Gai Yang (BBQ Chicken, in addition to TFC), Moo Ping and Steam Lime Fish.

The chef is the same and, as was explained no fewer than thirteen times--sometimes in hushed tone-- that they are making the changes slowly...but that everything will be better, more authentic, fresher.

There was some hesitation about whether I could even place an order...they appear to have just finished with a much needed facelift on the joint. My expectations were low, remember Mr. Hammond went here to have his palate re-calibrated to also ran Thai food after some delicious dining at Spoon, TAC and Thai Avenue.

I did taste.... promise, perhaps I was sold more sizzle than steak. I figure come summer time, as I take the Lawrence exit off the LSD, I just may have a new take out joint worthy of my hard earned jing.

Preaw Whan
1025 West Lawrence Ave.
773.784.6169

Ordering tonight--impressions to follow. Fingers crossed.

I went back a week or two ago. The papaya salad was very good. The Thai Fried Chicken has improved, but not yet up to some of the others close by.

For fans of Superheat, they will crank up the spice for you.

pd

Girlfriend liked her Pad Woon Sen quite a bit--I didn't think was anything special.

I had "Pad Prik Keing" (stir fried green beans with Red Curry) with pork, which was fresh and very spicy even though I didn't request superheat. I'd go back.