Arun Sampathavivat went to graduate school for international relations but he ended up making his name as a Michelin starred world class chef who attracts people from all over the globe to eat at his restaurants. But more than three decades after he opened his celebrated eponymous restaurant in a super un-hip part of Chicago’s Northwest Side, he has chosen another super uncool part of the Northwest side to put on the map: this time by starting a whole ethnic neighborhood called Thai Town on the border of Mayfair and Albany Park. 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino is a big supporter of the project in her ward and helped get $1.5 million in TIF funds for it. (Photo: Flickr)