A long-quiet River North corner is about to get some serious glow-up. A Thai fine dining restaurant and a basement cocktail bar are set to move into the long-vacant space at 121 W. Hubbard St. Tarra is slated to take the main floor with roughly 100 seats, while Sura will operate as a 60-seat cocktail lounge below. The project brings restaurateur Michael Chen together with GoldStreet Partners and names chef Namo Chowcharoe to helm Tarra's kitchen, promising elevated Thai flavors in a sleek, modern setting.
In a press release via GoldStreet Partners, the firm said the nearly 9,000 square foot site at the corner of Hubbard and LaSalle had been vacant for years after tenants, including Vinyl, left. The release describes Tarra as a contemporary Thai fine dining concept and Sura as an intimate cocktail lounge designed to complement dinner upstairs. GoldStreet framed the signing as a boost for the neighborhood and said the duo will aim to activate the corner for both dinner and late-night service.
What To Expect Upstairs And Below
As reported by Crain's Chicago Business, Tarra is expected to seat about 100 guests, while Sura will hold roughly 60 and focus on small bites and inventive mixology. Crain's Chicago Business says Tarra will blend authentic Thai traditions with modern creativity, promising a "sophisticated dining experience" that leans on tasting menus and elevated main plates. The same report names chef Namo Chowcharoe, trained at Dusit Thani College and with four years at The Franklin Room, as the expected kitchen lead and notes the team now lists the opening timing as "opening soon."
Who's Behind The Food And Drinks
Michael Chen of Kylin Hospitality, who opened Kyuramen near Hubbard and State, is leading the restaurant side with backing from GoldStreet Partners. In GoldStreet's announcement, David Goldberg called the signing "a major milestone in River North's resurgence" and said the partners hope the concepts will energize the intersection. Chen told the release he was drawn to the project by the neighborhood's comeback and by the opportunity to build on his downtown track record.
Timeline And What's Next
While GoldStreet's August statement initially targeted a late-2025 debut, Crain's Chicago Business reports the team now lists the opening timing simply as "opening soon" with no firm date. The operators have not published menus or reservation details yet, and permitting and interior build-out schedules will determine when Tarra and Sura start accepting guests. Expect more details once the owners announce soft openings, menus and booking windows.
