Red Thread, serving flavors of the Silk Road, will open this month in downtown St. Pete

Red Thread, a new restaurant featuring flavors from the Silk Road, will open on Saturday January 18th at 300 1st Avenue North in downtown St. pEte | St PEte Rising

Red Thread, the hotly anticipated restaurant from the owners of Saigon Blonde, is expected to open on Sunday January 19th in the heart of downtown St. Pete.

The finishing touches are being put on the new upscale restaurant, located at 300 1st Avenue North, that will invite diners on a culinary journey to explore the rich tapestry of the ancient Silk Road.

More specifically, Red Thread will explore the diverse flavors of China, India, Persia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean — all of the territories along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes spanning 4,000 miles connecting the East and West from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century.

Red Thread is also named after the “red thread of fate”, a mythical concept derived from Chinese and Japanese folklore that suggests a predestined bond between two individuals.

The interior of Red Thread, an upscale restaurant opening in downtown St. Pete on January 18th | Red Thread

As with Saigon Blonde, stepping inside Red Thread will transport you to another world, designed to highlight the richness of the cultures along the Silk Road. With a mix of gold, green, red, and black hues, the interior features a blend of Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian design with brass fixtures and wooden herringbone floors.

Diners can choose to sit indoors or on an expansive outdoor covered patio, which features an indoor/outdoor bar.

Red Thread offers lunch, dinner, and a late-night menu six days a week (closed on Mondays). Eventually, brunch will be offered on the weekends.

The menu, crafted by the creative mind of Executive Chef Zachary Sylvester, is comprised of small plates, inviting guests to share with their table, as well as a handful of entrees.

Smoked Salmon Tartare with capers, orange blossom, dashi, and masago (fish eggs) | Red Thread

The small plates include dishes like Break Bread, a crispy bread bowl filled with legume hummus, muhammara (a spicy dip made of walnuts and red bell peppers), artichoke, and fennel; Smoked Salmon Tartare with capers, orange blossom, dashi, and masago (fish eggs); and Stuffed Olives with feta, kataifi (a pastry made from shredded phyllo dough), coconut, and black garlic.

Entrees include items like Chicken Pastilla, a sweet-and-savory North African chicken pie made with dates, almonds, sumac (a spice from dried sumac berries), and phyllo; and Beef Short Ribs with curry, melon kimchi, cured yolk, and cucumber.

For dessert, there's Arabian Tiramisu, an Italian dessert reimagined with cardamom, toffee, arak (an alcoholic anise-flavored drink served in the Middle East), and chevre (cheese made from goat's milk).

Red Thread’s cocktail menu features creative riffs on classic cocktails developed to pair perfectly with the cuisine by using unfamiliar ingredients from countries along the Silk Road | Red Thread

Meanwhile, the drink program, helmed by Lucien Chalfoun, features creative riffs on classic cocktails developed to pair perfectly with the cuisine by using unfamiliar ingredients from countries along the Silk Road.

Similar to the trendy Espresso Martini is Red Thread’s Coffee Date, a cardamom-infused vodka blended with robust dark coffee, velvet chocolate, black salt, and dates.

Feeling adventurous? Try the Tahini Tiki, Red Thread’s take on the traditional Mai Tai made with tahini and roasted sesame; or the Spiced Trail which is where tequila meets clarified tomato lifted by bright lime, fresh cucumber, tangy sumac salt, and spicy green pepper.

Beer and wine is also available.

Be sure to follow Red Thread on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on special events and new menu items.