Mushroom salad from the upcoming Ronnarong Thai Tapas Bar

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

After 10 years, The Great Thai Chef in Somerville has closed and chef-owner Ronnarong “Ronnie” Saksua is transforming the space into Ronnarong Thai Tapas Bar, slated to open in April. While its popular lunch menu remains the same, Saksua is adding kap klaem – roughly translated as “drinking food” – to the dinner menu. These small plates will be matched by an expanded wine and Asian beer list and new Thai-inspired cocktails like the sake-based Thai Sunray, made with coconut, chili, sugar, lime, lemongrass, ginger and soda. The physical space itself will undergo cosmetic upgrades, including an organic herb garden in the windowsills with lemongrass, mint and three varieties of basil (255 Washington Street, Somerville; 617-625-9296).