The Safe House to Pair Up Beer, Asian Food in North Park

Some Eater readers asked us to look into The Safe House, whose notice popped up on the window of a University Avenue beauty supply store.

Returning to North Park's restaurant landscape is Nick Thanasith, whose last food endeavor, The Foundry, was located just across the road and closed in early 2013.

Thanasith, a neighborhood resident, is back with another craft beer-centric project; he and a partner are currently converting the 2,100-square-foot shop into a spy-themed restaurant serving a mostly-Japanese menu with 30-36 beer taps.

A trained sushi chef, Thanasith says he'll focus on Japanese pub food here, though sushi may be an occasional special. Among the beer-friendly izakaya-type snacks planned are chicken karaage, veggie or chicken yakisoba, deep fried oysters, and takoyaki, as well as grilled skewers beef tongue, chicken thigh with scallions, Japanese sausage and more.

The restaurant will also offer a rotating selection of steamed bun "tacos", with fillings that range from pork belly with caramelized onions to tempura shrimp with daikon and carrots. The chef says they'll switch to a more American menu for weekend brunch, serving braised duck hash, frittatas, and crab cake egg Benedict.

When The Safe House opens in June, Thanasith plans to keep the kitchen open late night, possibly until 2 a.m.
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