A popular Thai restaurant at One Loudoun is expanding once again with a new location planned for southern Loudoun County. The Burn has learned that Sense of Thai is headed to South Riding.
Sense of Thai is taking over the space being vacated by Ford’s Fish Shack at the South Riding Market Square shopping center.
That’s the center anchored by a Home Depot and a Giant grocery store just south of Highway 50 off Loudoun County Parkway.
The Burn was the first to break the news that Ford’s is planning to build its own 15,000 s.f. free-standing restaurant building three miles down 50 at the East Gate Marketplace shopping center. You can read that report here.
Now, we’ve confirmed Sense of Thai is the new restaurant taking over the 4,100 s.f. Ford’s space. That spot is next door to the new Foster’s Grille which opened recently.
The space is larger than the One Loudoun location, so we’re told this will mean a larger dining room, a bigger bar, and even a private dining room will be part of the plans.
For anyone not familiar, Sense of Thai opened at One Loudoun back in 2015 and was an immediate hit — not only for its food, but also for its hip cocktails and bar scene.
Signature dishes at Sense of Thai include Street Fried Rice, Lychee Duck Curry, and Crispy Duck Basil. You can see the full Sense of Thai menu here.
“(We are) thrilled to welcome Sense of Thai to South Riding Market Square. They are first-class and will bring an added nightlife element to the center,” said Greg Hull, Senior Director of Leasing and Brokerage for Rappaport, the company that handles leasing at the center. “While they go through their permitting process, Ford’s Fish Shack will remain a tenant at South Riding. While we are sad to see Ford’s leave the center, we wish them the best in their new retail development on Route 50.”
In late 2020, the folks behind Sense of Thai also opened a related concept called Tiki Thai at the Reston Town Center West development in Reston.
Now, they are branching out again with the new spot in South Riding. No word on when the new restaurant will open. We’ve got messages into Sense of Thai management for more details.