No need for a passport. New Tri-Cities restaurant offers global taste of Asia
Richland’s newest restaurant and cocktail bar is inviting foodies to experience the flavors of Asia without packing a suitcase.
“We want to take you on an edible adventure across the globe without the plane ticket, with a drink in hand rather than a passport,” say the owners of the Soi 705 in The Parkway.
The sit-down restaurant that’s heavily focused on craft Asian street food and specialty cocktails is the latest to open in Richland’s growing dining district off George Washington Way.
The restaurant takes its name, Soi, from the Thai word for “side street” and from its new address, 705 The Parkway, across the street from Frost Me Sweet Bakery and Bistro.
“Our recipes have followed us generationally from the famous streets (sois) of Bangkok to the vibrant culture of Liverpool, to this sunny corner of the world, Richland, WA,” says Soi’s soft opening menu.
“Who would’ve known selling baskets of dessert bites and frying noodles on a cart would eventually land us in the UK, then all the way here in our 6th location.”
The restaurant is the reincarnation of a longtime Tri-Cities favorite, Mezzo Thai, which left its Gage Boulevard location in January after owner Jacqui Wright said she could no longer afford the lease during the COVID pandemic.
“You may recognize us as the minds behind the Mezzo Thai, which has been present in the area since 2003,” they said. “We simply thought it was time to shake it up and have some fun and explore our roots. Same quality, new concept, fresher experience.”
The menu for their soft opening features appetizers like orange chicken bites, crispy duck rolls, “tofu tearsheets,” and Rasa Malaysian meatballs. Prices start at $7-$8.
Entrees include curries and rice and noodle dishes, such as pork chili basil with Thai eggplant, Japanese-inspired yakisoba and a Chinese fusion wonton noodle soup, Ba Me Geow. Prices start at $12.
Currently, they are limiting their dine-in hours to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. But they also offer Mezzo Thai takeout orders by calling 509-491-3400.
Richland’s Parkway district is attracting increasing attention as an area catering to the cocktail crowd.
Earlier this year, Frost Me Sweet expanded its outdoor seating and added more cocktails to its menu.
Next door, Moniker Bar opened last fall featuring specialized hand-crafted cocktails and food items based on pan-Asian, Indian and South American cultures.
This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 11:31 AM.