Ellington

This year, Fondren has seen restaurants like Nick's and Miso close their doors. While local favorites are always missed, these closings are an opportunity for the spaces to be filled with something new. Surin of Thailand, a Thai food franchise based in Atlanta, will move into the building that formerly housed Nick's and will fill in the gap in Asian cuisine offerings that Miso left when it closed.

Surin of Thailand has six locations, and the upcoming venture in Jackson will be No. 7. The first of the restaurants opened in Atlanta in 1990, and the others have popped up all over the southeast in the years since. Birmingham, Knoxville, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville are all home to a franchise.

Fondren's foodies should expect a more refined dining experience at Surin of Thailand than what they are used to at local Thai places. The chain is more upscale, and consequently, a bit more expensive than your favorite hole-in-the-wall Asian eatery. Like those places, the restaurant will serve authentic Thai noodle dishes like satay and curry, but it will also have a sushi bar, full martini menu, wine by the glass and desserts made from scratch.