Hat Yai: A Quick Update on the Wildly Anticipated, Long-Delayed Restaurant

Back in January, the highly anticipated Thai restaurant Hat Yai said it could open as early as the first week in February at 1605 NE Killingsworth St. But as Portland feels on the brink of summer, no new updates have emerged. Eater caught up with co-owner Alan Akwai, and he says complications with construction have slowed things down. While no new opening date has been released, Akwai says, "We're very excited to start cooking for people, and we're in the homestretch of our build-out and inspections."

The owner of PaaDee and Langbaan, Earl Ninsom co-owns Hat Yai with Akwai, and the restaurant will serve the traditional food of the city of Hat Yai in Southern Thailand. See architectural renderings and an early menu here. And as if to whip our salivary glands into a true state of frenetic activity, Akwai shared a photo of what Hat Yai chef Taweesak "Tee" Teesompong had for lunch: Mussel and betel leaf in Southern Thai-style curry.