By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Oct 18, 2016 at 3:54 PM

For the 10th straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee, presented by the restaurants of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, dining guides, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as voting for your "Best of Dining 2016."

The seemingly endless wait for the Tosa location of Thai-namite at 8725 W. North Ave. is coming to a close.

In fact, according to co-owner Nongluk (Nini) Buranabunyut, the restaurant – which offers both sushi and Thai cuisine – is planning a special neighborhood soft opening to take place this weekend. The special event will take place Oct. 22 and 23 from 5 to 10 p.m. and will include 20 percent off on food orders. The restaurant will assume regular hours beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The new location, which takes the place of City Market, is clean and modern with blonde wood accents and plenty of natural light from east-facing windows. An open kitchen and sushi bar has been added to the rear quarters of the restaurant, which accommodates 85. Both low and high-top tables, along with seating along the bar and sushi bar, provide a variety of options for singles, couples and larger groups.

According to Buranabunyut, the opening menu will be virtually identical to Thai-namite's Brady Street location, but will be augmented moving forward to include additional sushi and appetizer options as well as specials including ramen and other noodle dishes. Brown rice will also be available as an option for health-conscious diners.

Additions to the Tosa location's offerings will include a full bar with beer wine and cocktails along with a special $6 children's menu, which features downscaled dishes like fried rice, chicken satay, pad Thai and cashew chicken accompanied by a juice box.

Buranabunyut, who bought the building on West North Avenue in November 2015, says the process for opening the Tosa location was drawn out by extensive renovations to the building, including the addition of a new fire alarm system.

"We chose to move to Tosa because we really love the neighborhood," she says. "There are so many young professionals and families. And we’re very excited to offer new options for Thai food and sushi to the area."

Beginning Oct. 25, Thai-namite will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Both take-out and dine-in will be available, and lunch service (including special bento box options) will launch beginning in mid-November.

A grand opening celebration is also in the works. The event, which will take place in late November or early December, will include a variety of food specials. Watch Thai-namite's Facebook page for details.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.