Bangkok Republic in Wilton: Top Notch Thai Food Hidden in Plain Sight on Route 7

Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant Thai Wilton Asian Interview

Andrew Dominick January 07, 2026

Raise your hand if you’ve driven past a strip mall, plaza, a couple of storefronts clustered together, or whatever you call it, countless times without giving it any thought. We’re all guilty of this. In this case, we’re talking about a Thai restaurant that’s located on Route 7 that so many of us drive up and down so many times per week. And unless you’re a Wilton local who has obviously been gatekeeping this hidden-in-plain-sight gem, you may not even know it’s there, despite the fact that Bangkok Republic has been open for almost a decade.

My Favorite Dish: Kawa Ni’s Chicken Katsu Parm w/Kimchi Vodka Sauce

Ingredients Interview Restaurant My Favorite Dish Chicken Parm Westport Kawa Ni Ingredients Italian Asian Fusion Homepage

Andrew Dominick November 23, 2025

When Kawa Ni messes around with fusion, they don’t miss. Over three years ago, at one of the friends and family previews of Kawa Ni’s expansion into the space next door, I remember asking chef-owner Bill Taibe which newish dishes I should try in addition to my usual pork + garlic ramen, karaage don, spicy lamb dan dan, and pork Szechuan dumplings. His reply: “I gotta tell ya, one of my favorites, and a sleeper on this menu, is the kimchi carbonara.” In the present, Kawa Ni’s carbonara is no longer a sleeper. Also in the present, and another foray into Italian–Asian mashups, is their chicken katsu parmigiana.

Jeff Taibe Opens Southeast Asian Concept “Next Door” Inside of Taproot in Norwalk

Features Interview Ingredients Restaurant Southeast Asian Asian Homepage Jeff Taibe Norwalk Opening

Andrew Dominick February 25, 2024

Jeff Taibe had a big 2023. Not only did Taibe relocate his six-year Bethel restaurant, Taproot, to South Norwalk, he received much deserved recognition at December’s edition of the CRAzies Awards in the form of a “Best Restaurant Fairfield County” win.