Touch of Thai II opens in Rock Falls

ROCK FALLS – Touch of Thai II opened its doors Monday after 3 years spent renovating the 117-year-old building that houses the restaurant.

The building at 102-104 W. Second St., formerly the women’s clothing store Innovations 4 You, is also home to Dead Tree Tavern, a bar connected to the restaurant that opened in May.

“We’re overwhelmed to reach this point, because it was a lot of hard work to keep the beauty of the building the way it is,” said Trirong Khuntangta, co-owner of Touch of Thai II.

Renovations included gutting several layers of wall and flooring to reach the building’s original structure, as well as replacing its plumbing and electrical systems – work that cost about $300,000.

The restaurant had a soft opening over the weekend, serving appetizers and training the staff to prepare for Monday’s official opening, said Pavida Pratumrat, co-owner and manager of Touch of Thai II, and Khuntangta’s fiancée.

Khuntangta said Pratumrat’s prior managing experience with food distribution in Thailand and her connections with renowned chefs is a great asset for the restaurant.

Running the kitchen are chefs Koranath “Gahn” Ehirahirahroch, who served at the Dusit Hotel in Thailand and the Nana Thai restaurant in Washington, District of Columbia, and Sawitree Bangthup, who served at the Siam Terrace restaurant in Champaign and the Green Peapod Thai restaurant in McHenry.

The business has about 15 employees, and Khuntangta said there is room for other ventures.

“The building has a lot of space, and we are getting some good ideas for businesses in the future,” he said.

Although the restaurant is attached to the bar, which is owned by brothers Brian and Brent Sisson of Sterling, it will maintain a calmer atmosphere during restaurant hours, Khuntangta said.

The restaurant offers dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering options as well as lunch specials. It will be open every day this month, then will transition to a 6-day schedule and will be closed on Sunday or Monday.

The menu is similar to Touch of Thai at 221 W. First St. in Dixon, established by Khuntangta about 15 years ago.

Khuntangta, owner of Touch of Thai Properties LLC, leased the Dixon space to the late Somkit “Sam” Yindeeroop and his wife, Udi, in 2007, and the family has run the restaurant since.

“Both restaurants are good for the Sauk Valley and bring something interesting for the small towns,” Khuntangta said.

Khuntangta also owns the Traditional Wellness Center and Ginkgo Tree Cafe, 216 W. First St., in Dixon. The Ginkgo Tree Cafe is closed until new management can be found, Khuntangta said.

TOUCH OF THAI II

Touch of Thai II, 102 W. Second St, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. During June, the restaurant also will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Call 815-716-8559, visit touchofthai2rockfalls.com, or Touch of Thai II on Facebook for more information.