Latest news with #Sorn
Washington Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Sorn Thai toasts a grandmother's cooking in modern digs in McLean
Supisa Teawbut figured she'd sell a lot of pad thai when she opened Sorn Thai in McLean in March. Patrons surprised her when they ordered more kanom jeen namya instead. The entrée, rice noodles with fish curry, is one of 10 dishes in a category called 'Sorn's Obsessions' and a lovely introduction to a Thai restaurant unlike any other in Northern Virginia. Diners' eyes are pulled in first. The vermicelli — a fine white nest circled with diced green beans, crisp bean sprouts and pickled green mustard — rises from a dazzling orange-gold curry that fits in lemongrass, garlic and gently peppery finger root. A crisp branzino filet leans against the noodles. It's quite a show for $20. Kanom jeen namya is also a nod to the owner's late grandmother, Sorn Teawbut, whose version of the dish was such a hit in her hometown in southern Thailand, neighbors would flock to the house with empty bowls when they heard she made it, says Teawbut. 'Everyone in the family knows how to make it,' says the owner, who adds that her grandmother had a dozen children. Talk about a sweet hand-me-down. Teawbut, who goes by the nickname 'Boom,' is no stranger to the business. Thai fans know the food served at Donsak Thai Restaurant, her casual little outpost in Woodley Park in the District, is some of the best in the area. (When my predecessor, Phyllis C. Richman, and I last supped together, takeout from Donsak — including springy ground pork meatballs with tamarind sauce and a salad of fried tofu, onions and cashews splashed with lime juice — filled the table. She got the leftovers, lucky legend.) While a traditional Thai eater could happily graze the night away at Sorn Thai, the fresh face benefits from a Thai chef whose last professional kitchen was at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara: Prapassorn Teawboot, the owner's sister, whose menu in McLean embraces lots of modern touches. In addition to a larb made with minced chicken, for instance, the chef makes a meatless version featuring chopped, fried Brussels sprouts, and shrimp cakes are rethought as round shrimp croquettes, perched on sweet plum sauce. Every small plate I've tried was a dish to remember. Haaw-mohk, a small square of fish mousse, has a texture that falls between cornbread and custard, a taste that marries the sea with chiles and lime leaf. Presented on a banana leaf, the soft orange mousse is finished with micro-cilantro and tiny dried baby anchovies, garnishes with star power. Another day, another nice takeaway: warm banana blossom salad, strewn with fried shallots, nipped with red chiles and arranged with smoky grilled prawns. The kitchen turns out a respectable pad thai, best spritzed with lime before tackling, and a fine green curry with folds of pork, tender bamboo shoots and Thai eggplant. A lot of the competition can execute something similar, however. You go to Sorn Thai to fill up on the menu's 'obsessions.' Along with kanom jeen namya, the pleasures include moo hong: dark chunks of braised pork belly and crisp green bok choy in a stew warmed with cinnamon and star anise, a sauce best absorbed with tender milk buns that eat like savory doughnuts. There are also sweet prawns and green papaya slices lounging in a stinging and tangy golden curry. The seafood dish, geang som, gets its kick from tamarind and is familiar to home cooks in southern Thailand, says the owner. The key to success — concentrated flavor — is keeping the broth at a simmer, she adds. Khao yum, a Crayola-colored rice salad, gets the beauty award at Sorn Thai. Julienne mango, carrots, red cabbage and green beans make up the vibrant heap, rounded out with jasmine rice tinted blue with butterfly pea flower, valued for its medicinal benefits and as adornment. (Women in Southeast Asia sometimes tuck the flower behind an ear.) Fish powder and shrimp paste in the dressing ensure the tongue is as entertained as the eyes. The best Thai cooking tends to be a balance of five flavors: salty, sweet, sour, bitter and hot. If there's a quibble with some of the food here, it's a tilt toward sweetness in the black duck sauce for the roti-wrapped shredded duck and the peanut-and-pork filling of the fluttery steamed 'butterfly' dumplings. Both could use less sugar. Sorn Thai and Donsak don't look like family. The younger restaurant, set in a shopping center, opens with a handsome bar opposite tall tables hugging a wall and moves on to an exhibition kitchen and a larger dining room. What's not white seems to be green, wood or coconut leaf wallpaper. 'She loved green,' says the owner of her grandmother, whose welcoming home the owner hoped to convey in the design. There's no red carpet here, but the restaurant makes it feel as if one has been rolled out for customers. Delivery is free within 2.5 miles for orders of $25 and more, staff are quick to greet and seat, and the cocktails are as considered as the cooking. First among equals is the apricot-colored pineapple daiquiri balanced with Aperol. Best of all, even though there's background music, the noise level never interferes with conversation. The sighs of pleasure from around the table? You can hear them at Sorn Thai.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
My Stubborn Thai BL drama episode 1 reactions: Jun and Sorb's romance is messy from get-go; fans call it 'wildest' premiere ever
My Stubborn Thai BL drama episode 1: The Boys' Love (BL) drama scene is no stranger to heartfelt moments, slow-burn romances, and plenty of lingering glances, but My Stubborn is kicking things up a notch. This freshly released Thai BL series isn't the typical schoolyard crush story; instead, it arrives with a bold 18+ rating. Starring Boat Yongyut Termtuo and Oat Pasakorn Sanrattana, My Stubborn premiered on April 20 and already has the BL drama community gasping for breath with the 'wildest' ever premiere episode. My Stubborn Synopsis Adapted from the novel Nai Hia Bok Mai Chop Dek by Nang Sao Phop,My Stubborn is the story of Jun and Sorn and their unlikely romance. Jun, a cheeky high schooler with way too much energy and a talent for getting on people's nerves, especially Sorn's. Sorn's the type who maintains a serious demeanour and wants to stay away from messy or unpredictable situations. Naturally, Jun takes that as a personal challenge. Whether it's slipping salt into Sorn's toothpaste or 'accidentally' hiding his stuff, Jun lives to push his buttons—and Sorn absolutely cannot deal. However, they soon lose touch. But fate had different plans for them. After a two-year period of no contact, the duo cross paths again, this time at a professional setup. Jun has now come to terms with his sexuality and has a boyfriend. Sorn, meanwhile, is dating a female colleague, but behind the scenes, he still harbors feelings for Jun. As they navigate professional boundaries, their past connections come in their way as they steal moments of steamy romance. My Stubborn BL drama episode 1 fan reactions The r/BoysLove subreddit didn't hold back—fans were floored by the debut of this steamy new romance. Some couldn't get over the sizzling tension between Jun and Sorn, while others were just wrapping their heads around the 'wild' opening scene. One user wrote, "I love, love, love the messssss. Everybody's just macking on everyone else any time, any place—perfection. The push/pull with the two leads is great so far. They're doing their best making some outrageous dialogue/situations work because what do you mean you're interrogating your company's intern about his sexual preferences, getting him to feel your abs, and forcefully kissing him in the bathroom in the middle of the dang workday????" Another said, "Oh dear, that was something... I expected cringe, bad acting, a nonsensical story, and a budget Payou. And' I'm pleasantly surprised. Crazy and messy, but not nonsense (yet, famous last words...). Actual chemistry and a handsome red flag, not a budget version. Let's see where this goes." "I really didn't have any expectations starting this drama, and I am agreeably surprised by this first episode! As all of you said, the first 8 minutes were wild XD, and I think the way the characters' past interactions are shown via flashbacks is well done. With this nice start, I'll expect more, but it is going to be extra messy, and Stubborn is really a good name since clearly those main leads are so stubborn and tears will flow, leaving us viewers flustered, frustrated, and wanting more. XD I can't wait!" a third user wrote. "Woahhh, I knew this was going to be a wild ride, but I wasn't quite anticipating this wild. I'm ready for the next episode though, ngl, let's go," added another Redditor. Check out more comments in the Reddit thread below:
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
The DeLorean is on the brink of EXTINCTION: Just 303 Back to the Future cars remain on UK roads, figures reveal
It is one of the most iconic vehicles in movie history. But new data reveals that Back to the Future's DeLorean DMC-12 is on the brink of extinction - with just 303 left on Britain's roads. Known for their gull-wing doors and unique unpainted steel body, around 9,000 of these classic cars were produced by the DeLorean Motor Company in Northern Ireland. According to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures obtained by Collecting Cars, only a handful of DeLoreans were taxed for use on public roads last year, while 114 have a road tax exemption called a statutory off road notification (Sorn), suggesting they are probably gathering dust in garages as collectors items. This scarcity has driven the price for this legendary vehicle sky-high. 'Today, a fully restored model treated to a film car replica conversion could attract bids in excess of £80,000 ($106,000),' said Collecting Cars chief executive, Edward Lovett. Back To The Future – which opened in cinemas in the summer of 1985 – catapulted DeLoreans into the public consciousness. In the science fiction classic, mad scientist Doc Brown converts the obscure sports car into a time machine. In the film, eccentric scientist Dr Emmett 'Doc' Brown creates a time machine from a modified DeLorean, using plutonium to power a fictional gadget called a flux capacitor, which allows time travel once the car reaches 88mph. Doc Brown's comment, 'Where we're going, we don't need roads' has reached a legendary status in pop culture shared only by the DeLorean itself. While the DeLorean was an extremely rare and expensive car even when it was first produced, prices have now risen even further. The first DeLorean DMC-12 rolled off the production line in January 1981 but the company collapsed into insolvency the following year. A deal had been put in place to save the struggling manufacturer but this fell apart after John DeLorean, the company's founder, was arrested on drug trafficking charges. Mr Lovett says: 'Back in 1981, the sticker price was around £18,000, making it more expensive than a Porsche 911. 'A combination of their scarcity and the Back To The Future phenomenon has pushed prices higher than people might imagine. Since it began trading in 2019, Collecting Cars has sold just two DeLoreans with the most recent going for £56,000 ($74,000) in 2022. However, the DeLorean isn't the only car from famous films at risk of disappearing from our roads. According to DVLA data compiled by the How Many Left website, there were only 311 of the Aston Martin DB5, made famous by James Bond, left on the roads last year. A further 73 Aston Martin DB5s were listed as Sorned, meaning they are probably only driven on special occasions like track days. The Lotus Esprit driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in 1977's The Spy Who Loved has fared slightly better with 330 on the roads and 374 Sorned. Some cars from the silver screen are still remarkably popular, such as the Mini Cooper from the Italian Job of which 950 are still taxed for public roads. Likewise, there are more than 2,400 Ford Anglias, used as the flying car in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, left on the roads.
