New ‘Thai street food restaurant’ coming to midtown Sacramento’s busiest block

The family behind Thai Basil and Veg Cafe is opening a new Thai restaurant called Kin in midtown Sacramento’s MARRS Building, developer Mike Heller confirmed.

Co-owner Napis Lindley described Kin as a “Thai street food restaurant” when forming Siam88 LLC, according to the Secretary of State’s business search function. Heller said the restaurant at 1050 20th St., No. 180, next door to Peet’s Coffee will be more creative than traditional.

“(It’s) kind of a modern spin to the cuisine,” Heller wrote in an email. “Next-gen vibe. I’m excited to see what they come up with. Cheers!”

Chef Suleka Sun-Lindley opened Thai Basil with her mother Kay Davis and sister Wanni Raffs in Roseville in 1994 and followed with an Elk Grove location in 1998, according to Sacramento Bee archives. The Elk Grove restaurant has since closed, but a midtown iteration opened in 2002, followed by all-vegan Veg Cafe upstairs in 2016.

A California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control permit application indicates Kin will sell beer and wine. Sun-Lindley did not initially reply to requests for comment, but later reached out to clarify she would not directly involved with Kin.

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 10:59 AM.