When chef Jurrajet "Jett" Hurapan and Blu owners Amy and Jiten Karnani announced their plans to open Songkran Thai Kitchen in Uptown Park, it ws seen as a homecoming of sorts for the chef, whose first job in Houston was in the Galleria at the now shuttered Gigi's Asian Bistro. Songkran has found an audience by offering diners authentic Thai dishes prepared with elevated ingredients: as chef Jett described it last year "Thai guy — Thai food."

With the first location well-established, the opportunity to launch a second location presented itself. Rather than seek out an unfamiliar location, the second Songkran has opened in Sugar Land by carving out space from Blu's massive dining room and lounge. Fans of the Uptown Park original should feel immediately as home in the space, as it features the same features dark colors and murals on the walls of Thai imagery as the original.

Similarly, the menus mostly overlap, with chef Jett's familiar curries and noodles dishes. Both vegetarians and gluten-free diners also have a wide range of choices. Dishes can be paired with either traditional Thai beverages or something alcoholic from the full bar.

Jett and his wife, pastry chef Jira Hurapan, will be based primarily out of the Sugar Land location, which both keeps them closer to home and allows them to work on overhauling Blu's menu, too. The original location will be under the direction of its longtime chef de cuisine.

In keeping with the spirit of the Thai New Year festival that Songkran is named for, the restaurant plans a lavish grand opening celebration on Thursday featuring Thai water dancers, appetizers and drinks. Email the restaurant to RSVP.

The announcement comes on the heels of the plans of restaurateurs Robert White and Victor Litwinenko to add a fourth concept to their growing Sugar Land mini-empire when The Ginger Mule Tonics & Meals makes it debut in the former Capriotti's space next to Blu at Sugar Land Town Square.