Hot Basil is so hot that it’s expanding

Restaurateur Lee Chai’s 18-month-old Thai restaurant, Hot Basil, had built such a solid customer base by its first anniversary that his landlord came to him with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“The tanning salon next door to us was moving out,” Chai says. “My landlord knew we needed more space and made me a very nice offer. We’ll be opening our second dining room by this weekend.”