THE HAISOUS COLLECTION · NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Chef Thai Dang envisions bringing HaiSous, his acclaimed Chicago restaurant, and its sister concepts to Northern Virginia, where he grew up.
Chef Thai Dang and Danielle Dang envision HaiSous, Cà Phê Đá, and Dang Good Wings together under one roof in Northern Virginia.
For Chef Thai, this would bring what he and Danielle built in Chicago back to the region where he grew up.
Guests could stop in for Vietnamese coffee in the morning, a casual meal at midday, and shared plates and cocktails in the evening.
Each concept has its own identity and gives guests a different reason to visit throughout the day.
CO-OWNERS · A SHARED VISION
Chef Thai and Danielle opened HaiSous in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in 2017. Its name means “two pennies,” a nod to the restaurant’s modest beginnings.
CO-OWNER · EXECUTIVE CHEF
Raised outside Washington, D.C., Chef Thai brings classical technique to the Vietnamese flavors he grew up with.
CO-OWNER · DESIGN & OPERATIONS
Danielle designed HaiSous and leads operations and marketing for the restaurant and its casual sister concepts. She is also HaiSous’s mixologist, bringing the same care she gives the room and guest experience to its cocktails.
Director of Operations, HaiSous
Founder, Den of Lions Design
The collection pairs a full-service restaurant with two casual concepts, each with a distinct identity and a different reason to visit.
The culinary anchor. Full-service Vietnamese dining, shared plates, tasting menus, and an evening at the bar.
The casual favorite. Boldly flavored wings and fries, served casually or packed to go.
The daily ritual. Vietnamese coffee, bánh mì, and casual café dining.
Refined, personal, and unmistakably HaiSous.
Bamboo, copper, warm timber, and an open kitchen. Family-made furniture from Vietnam gives HaiSous a personal sense of place.
Those materials can carry into the next location, giving the concepts a family resemblance while letting each keep its own character.
Copper · bamboo · warm timber · natural light
The HaiSous menu balances smoke and savory depth with fresh herbs, bright acidity, and contrasting textures.
Grilled betel-leaf wraps, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce.
Grilled eggplant, scallion confit, and pickled shallot.
Baby broccoli with HaiSous chili crisp and coconut.
COCKTAILS & WINE
Drinks that meet Vietnamese cooking with freshness, fragrance, and balance.
As HaiSous’s mixologist, Danielle creates cocktails that complement Thai’s cooking. She also helps shape a wine program that invites guests to discover something new.
Green Theory layers tequila and mezcal with green herbs, citrus, and serrano. Old So n’ So brings bourbon together with blood orange and ginger.
Crisp whites, lighter reds, and a particular affection for Riesling keep the food at the center of the experience.
HAISOUS · CHICAGO
James Beard semifinalist · Chef Thai Dang
James Beard finalist · Chef Thai Dang
HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
James Beard semifinalist · HaiSous
WINGS & FRIES
Big flavor.
Easy to come back to.
Dang Good Wings keeps things focused with boldly flavored wings and fries.
Currently served at Cà Phê Đá in Chicago, it carries the Dangs’ culinary personality into an easygoing meal.
Wings and fries, made for sharing.
An easy meal or a convenient pickup.
VIETNAMESE CAFÉ
Vietnamese coffee.
A daily connection.
Cà Phê Đá brings the collection into the everyday, through Vietnamese coffee and street-food favorites.
Chef Thai’s coffee work connects the café to growers and roasters in Vietnam.
Vietnamese coffee and specialty drinks to start the day or pause along the way.
Bánh mì, phở, and café favorites for a relaxed meal or a quick visit.
A NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME
We’re looking for a Northern Virginia setting where HaiSous, Cà Phê Đá, and Dang Good Wings can feel at home. The right landlord will help bring that vision to life.
One home for all three concepts is the goal, with room to consider individual locations when the fit is right.
Walkable town centers and mixed-use districts with character, visible frontage, easy arrival, and activity throughout the day.
The space should accommodate a warm dining room, a lively café, and an easy flow between them. We can shape the layout, timing, and lease terms with the right landlord.
CHEF THAI DANG × LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU
Beyond the HaiSous collection, Chef Thai is Chef Partner at Crying Tiger, a collaboration with Lettuce Entertain You that opened in Chicago’s River North in October 2025.
“one of the toughest places in Chicago to get a reservation”The Infatuation · April 2026
THE PEOPLE. THE FOOD. THE EVERYDAY RITUALS.
At the table.
In the feed.
Each concept gives guests a story to recognize and share.
The reels show the care behind HaiSous, the energy of Dang Good Wings, and the daily rhythm of Cà Phê Đá. Together, they introduce the collection before a guest’s first visit.
HaiSous
Dang Good Wings
Cà Phê Đá