Herald photo Rim Nam Thia Cafe on Highway 58 has reopened under new management. New people, same name, same great Thai cuisine.
By JOY KINGSBURY/for The Herald — Robert and Yui Philips are leaving Oakridge to settle in Woodland, Texas. It is a sad parting since they have made so many friends and had much success with their restaurant serving wonderful Thai food for five years. Robert is acting as my interpreter for this interview for Sean, the new owner. Luv, a friend of the family who has come to Oakridge to work with Sean at the cafe, does well with English. Luv will be a greeter and server in the restaurant.
New owners are only recently from Thailand
Never fear, though we will miss Robert and Yui, Sean and Luv will take their place. Fresh from Thailand, they’re very eager to make Oakridge their new home and to continue to serve an even greater variety of Thai cuisine and add flavors and dishes that have not been offered on the menu previously. They are from the North of Thailand and their cuisine is regional to that area. Sean and Luv, with just seven months in the United States prior to settling on Oakridge as their permanent home, are having a bit of a struggle with the language. Sean speaks little English, but Luv speaks it quite well. They are both ready for the challenge of learning better English through interacting with the locals who will patronize their restaurant, I’m sure.
Joy Kingsbury photo Sean and Luv on the right with his visiting parents.
Sean’s mother and father came over to help revamp and establish the business here, and will return to their home in Thailand soon, however, they hope to visit as often as possible.
From policeman to chef
Sean is a man of many talents. He was a policeman in Thailand with a passion for the culinary arts and with a dream to become a chef. When he did become a chef, he practiced his art in Thailand before the idea of tackling the United States. Sean has hobbies, as well. He collects vintage bicycles and restores them for resale. He is especially proud of his ancient, original Schwinn bikes. He plans to have his bicycles shipped here to be put on display. Sean plays soccer and is a huge fan. He also loves to fish. The family selected our part of the world for the mountains, greenery, rivers, and similarities to their area of Thailand. It feels like home, they say.
Rim Nam is open for business
Sean’s plan is to introduce new flavors and new specialties from the North of Thailand to his customers. He believes in culinary excellence, specialty spices, hot ginger tea, and Thai flavors that will best fit every pallet. They will hold a grand opening the end of this month featuring dishes made with duck. Rim Nam restaurant is currently open for business, and they have been doing a “soft opening” while waiting for some special equipment to be delivered.
Since their English is poor, they are looking forward to learning through interaction with their customers. Sean is so happy to meet and greet all who enter and expects to learn more English to better communicate with his new neighbors in Oakridge. In the meantime, Luv is the interpreter. Sean is expecting his fiancée to join them from Thailand soon.
The restaurant has taken on a new, more open look and the decor has changed. It is very inviting, and quite roomy. Rim Nam is now open 11:00 AM to 9:00PM Tuesday through Sunday. The number for take-out is 458.675.9027. Feel free to call.
Joy Kingsbury photo Joy Kingsbury is an Oakridge resident and regular contributor to The Herald.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
