{"id":561142,"date":"2026-03-26T03:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T03:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/561142\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T03:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T03:00:13","slug":"spa-and-patio-in-the-works-for-popular-toronto-restaurants-first-gta-location","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/561142\/","title":{"rendered":"Spa and patio in the works for popular Toronto restaurant\u2019s first GTA location"},"content":{"rendered":"

A dark cloud has loomed over the restaurant world since the pandemic, with stark headlines about ongoing and anticipated closures popping up in print and online at an alarming clip.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While times aren\u2019t easy for anyone (and hospitality businesses in particular are feeling the brunt of a struggling economy coupled with high food prices), one growing concept is taking the leap and bringing its one-of-a-kind restaurant\/market\/spa concept to a whole new municipality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pii Nong, the Thai food powerhouse that\u2019s been earning accolades since opening its flagship location in Toronto\u2019s mid-town neighbourhood in 2024, recently announced plans to open its first GTA location in Oakville<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always been on my bucket list,\u201d Tom Ha, co-owner of Pii Nong, tells INsauga.com when asked why Oakville was picked to be the site of the growing brand\u2019s first non-Toronto outpost.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Pii Nong\u2019s new location slated to open sometime in May (most likely after Mother\u2019s Day), construction is well underway at 266 Lakeshore Rd. E., a spot conveniently located right in the town\u2019s picturesque downtown core.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The newest location is coming less than two years after the much-anticipated opening of Pii Nong\u2019s flagship Yonge and Lawrence location. Prior to that, the restaurant operated out of a smaller space on Bayview Avenue in Leaside, a location the team has since transformed into Chon Modern Thai Cuisine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Since opening the Midtown resto, head chef and co-owner Pii \u201cNana\u201d Nong has earned praise for her street food-inspired offerings<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ha, who splits his time between Pii Nong and the rejuvenated Saigon Star\u2013a near-historic Richmond Hill mainstay that underwent a substantial makeover<\/a> after serving customers for more than four decades\u2013previously told INsauga.com that the flagship was created following conversations about opening \u201csomething so insane, so crazy, so big that people would be like, \u2018Are you sure you can pull this off?\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

With the opening date of the latest location looming, Ha and Jacky Yoh, marketing director with SEA Hospitality Group Inc., are sharing a few more details about the 6,000-7,000-square-foot resto\u2013including the future inclusion of Lamai Thai Massage and a market.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe market was always the plan. With massage, we\u2019re gaining more progress and momentum there. We have every intention to push through with the massages and we look forward to offering services there,\u201d Ha says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thai Lamai massage, offered at Pii Nong\u2019s midtown restaurant, became so popular\u00a0that\u00a0sessions sold out immediately after launch<\/a>. While an exact opening date for the massage portion of the restaurant has not yet been confirmed, Ha and Yoh expect it to open before the end of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for what else will set the new suburban location apart, Yoh says the downtown Oakville resto will boast a patio.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have an outdoor patio space that\u2019s unique to Oakville. Even the flagship in Toronto does not have one,\u201d Yoh says, adding that the patio will be able to accommodate up to 40 guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s right by the waterfront, people in Oakville like to dine outside when the weather is great. Like in Thailand, we hope to bring those sunny vibes too. This is a big differentiator between our two locations. It lets people have a different type of environment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once complete, the restaurant is expected to offer about 120 seats, along with a private dining room for up to 20 guests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for food, Ha says Chef Nong will be on site at the Oakville location frequently once it opens, along with her son, who has been toiling in the kitchen with her for some time. The newest location will offer staples familiar to Pii Nong diners, including pad Thai, pad kee mao, pad see ew and khao soi, as well as unique offerings such as Thai pong karee crab, soft shell crab curry, basil chili paste clams and a crying tiger speak made with beef tenderloin soaked in a sweet oyster sauce marinade and served with sticky rice and cilantro.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new restaurant will also offer its signature Instagram-worthy teddy bear drinks (available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties), made with either mango juice or milk tea and served with endearing frozen teddies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ha says customers can expect some new dishes, as well as multiple Halal options.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be the same staples on the menu, same thought and love behind each dish. There will be more seafood focus and we plan to have a very nice wine list as well. We\u2019re working closely with wineries and consignments to have some really good pairings,\u201d Ha says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the pair is excited to bring their unique concept west.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI met my girlfriend five years ago and explored Oakville, and I love the town, and it\u2019s always been on my bucket list,\u201d Ha says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOakville has a small town vibe, but it\u2019s busy, and a lot of young families are out there, and it\u2019s by the water. We\u2019ve had our eyes on Oakville for a long time, but now we have the right team and we felt it was the right time to pull the trigger. There\u2019s no better location.\u201d <\/p>\n


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