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There was a time when Arun's epitomized fine dining in Chicago by combining elevated takes on classic Thai dishes in an elegant setting. But as Chicago's culinary reputation grew, diners began shying away from that unassuming spot along Kedzie Avenue. Now comes news via Crain's that owner Arun Sampanthavivat has listed the restaurant for sale, leaving the future of the 30-year-old institution in jeopardy.
There's no announced closing date, as Sampanthatvivat listed the two-level, 6,100-square-foot building in December with an asking price of nearly $950,000. Arun's opened in 1985, and it soon became a favorite among critics. AAA awarded the restaurant its esteemed Five Diamond status from 2002 through 2014.
Over the summer, Sampanthavivat opened a second restaurant, repurposing a police station and transforming it into Taste of Thai Town, which includes a community center component. He told Crain's he intends to spend more time helping the Thai community.
