A Brazilian steakhouse’s demise turns out fortunately for Thai-food lovers who miss Wilmington’s late Jessamine Thai.

Earlier this month, Ragab Brazilian & International Cuisine closed its 7110 Wrightsville Ave. doors. Not long after, restaurateur Tom Trinh started moving his Shukai Thai & Sushi bar into the Wrightsville Beach-area location, bringing chef Patrick Tepnupa with him.

Tepnupa over the past few years has been cooking at Asian restaurants in Atlanta, but before that, he shook woks alongside Ann Veber, a well-known Wilmington area chef who was a partner in downtown’s late Rim Wang and who owned the former Jessamine Thai on College Road.

These days, Veber runs Asian Fusion Noodle House, a favorite spot of chefs (they especially love Veber’s kai soi with beef or chicken) at 4724 New Centre Dr. 

When Shukai Thai & Sushi Bar opens, possibly as early as mid-September, Veber will be Tepnupa’s competition along with nearby Big Thai, the Landfall Center restaurant whose kitchen is run by Rim Wang alum, chef Charin “Big” Choti.

Describing Shukai curry dishes such as duck, soft-shelled crab and lobster deep-fried “naked,” in panang curry, Tepnupa expressed no worry over rivals. In fact, he said, Veber may join him in the Shukai kitchen for the restaurant’s grand opening.

Hailing from an area of Thailand near Bangkok, Tepnupa said he has been cooking professionally for 20 years. 

Trinh, like Tepnupa, was working in Atlanta when he decided to move into the former Ragab and asked Tepnupa to help him open the restaurant here, Tepnupa said.  

Shukai’s 3,500 square feet will seat 85 diners, with patio tables available, Tepnupa said. Expect beer and wine, including sake, he added. Tepnupa said the restaurant is scheduled to be open daily. 

Fernando Almeida, who runs a Wilmington construction company but also has a restaurant-work background, and his wife, Pollyana Almeida, introduced Ragab in May. The restaurant’s original name was Espetus, a Brazilian steakhouse the couple opened in spring 2012. When they changed the name, the Almeidas added more Brazilian dishes and other international selections.

Prior to Espetus, the locale hosted Two Guys Grille.