When Nail Saengin and Garfield Pachnoi opened Chalong in Chapel Hill, they were embraced by the local community from the jump. So warm was the reception that when the opportunity arose to open a new restaurant one suburb over in Kenmore, they didn’t hesitate at all to seize the opportunity.

“At first we were only planning on doing one in Chapel Hill because [running a restaurant] was pretty new for us,” says Nail. “But everyone was so supportive – we love the area so much and we feel like now we’re a part of the community.”

At Chalong, Nail and Garfield celebrate the flavours of southern Thailand – family recipes and regional specialties elevated by the use of house-made pastes and sauces, alongside a couple of contemporary tweaks. But the duo had a desire to cook more than just Thai food. Enter CHERN, Nail and Garfield’s brand-new 50-seat eatery and bar set to open on Wongabel Street on Friday July 11.

Slotting in a slender space previously home to Chaya Asian Restaurant, CHERN sees Garfield expanding beyond Thai flavours, incorporating influences from a number of Southeast Asian and East Asian cuisines and fusing them into a flavoursome whole.

“Chalong really specialises in southern Thai food – so it’s food from Garfield’s background and childhood, ” explains Nail. “But Garfield also has a background in modern Asian fusion, working at Short Grain and Ping Pong, so the menu here is representing other cuisines that we love.

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“I would say the menu is a little bit more fun – it’s not just Thai, we also have some Malaysian dishes like char kway teow and some Chinese as well, so it’s a bit of fusion.”

CHERN’s menu starts with snacks like duck and chive potsticker dumplings, crispy prawn toast bao buns, soft-shell crab baos and wagyu beef skewers, before expanding to include share-style serves of sticky tamarind pork belly, kao soi curry with crunchy egg noodles and green curry with slow-cooked beef ribs and salted egg yolk.

Other must-try highlights include CHERN’s grilled king prawns with tom yum sauce, char kway teow with tiger prawns and pork belly, coral trout coconut salad and the khao tod salad – a Thai-style dish boasting crispy rice.

A tight and tidy beverage list features a selection of Australian and French wines (all selected to match Garfield’s punchy dishes), a clutch of bottled beers and cider (including a matcha-infused IPA from Kyoto brewery Kizakura) and four signature cocktails. There’s also plenty of booze-free options, including refreshing a non-alcoholic umeshu.

With a jewel-green exterior and striking interiors crafted by Clui Design (and built by Lowry Group), CHERN cuts a chic figure. The inside dining space boasts a palette of green and cream tiles, blonde timber and cushy low-set leather banquettes, illuminated by hanging pendant lamps and watched over by CHERN’s feline mascot, inspired by Nail and Garfield’s own cat.

Though the dining room is shielded from view by sheer curtains, Nail believes that CHERN is the more approachable of her two venues, with convivial community-oriented warmth baked into the concept from the outset.

“’Chern’ means ‘welcoming’ in Thai, so we want to feel welcoming to guests,” explains Nail. “With this one we decided on something more relaxed and casual – a place where people can enjoy good food and a really nice environment as well.

“The environment suits a chill night or something relaxing after work, it’s also family friendly as well – it’s for the local community.”

With Chern joining long-running eatery Sichuan Bang Bang and newly opened Italian nosh spot Chef Jon Pizzeria & Bistro on Wongabel Street, it feels as if a new energy is coursing through the cherished Kenmore dining strip.

“It will be good joining here – there’s a lot of variety with pizza and Chinese cuisine as well,” says Nail. “I hope we can help make the area more lively.”

CHERN officially opens to the public on Friday July 11 – head to The Directory for more details.