Chef Pacharin Jantrakool tipped for top role at new Thai restaurant in Balmain

Former Sailor's Thai chef Pacharin "Air" Jantrakool​ is the hot tip to front the kitchen at an upmarket modern Thai restaurant opening early next month on Balmain's troubled Darling Street.

With the strip plagued by dwindling foot traffic, the heavy investment in a cuisine seemingly in decline in the area is brave move. But restaurateur Michael Corrente, who owns nearby Blue Ginger, is no stranger to the suburb and its issues. "Council needs to sort out the parking, and landlords are being greedy with rents. There are 18 shops for rent," he says.

So this time he's snapped up the premises of Satasia, which closed recently after a 33-year run. The modern Thai restaurant will be named Chon (spoon) with designer Matt Woods doing its interior. Corrente won't disclose the name of the chef, but talk on the strip is Jantrakool has been spotted at the venue. It is another positive food step for the area, which last month welcomed the Italian-scented One Ford Street restaurant.