Bac Nguyen comes from a long line of enthusiastic Vietnamese
cooks. His grandmother is the “Minh” in Minh Anh, a restaurant she
founded 24 years ago. (She is no longer involved.) His mother operated
the popular Chinese Village, a casual Asian eatery that survived in
Lakewood for 14 years. Now it’s Bac’s turn. The Case grad is putting
the finishing touches on Bac, a contemporary pan-Asian
restaurant that will open in the former Tremont home of La Tortilla
Feliz. “Neither me nor my mother are trained cooks,” explains Nguyen.
“It is just something we naturally enjoy doing.” The menu will feature
popular dishes from various Asian cuisines; most will be prepared in
the traditional way, but others will be freshened up with modern
twists. “My intention is to keep the food familiar and accessible at
first, and down the road introduce some more unique fusion dishes.”
Diners can expect edamame, spring rolls, crepes, shredded papaya salad,
pad thai, pho, rice vermicelli and braised Korean short rib. Look for a
totally renovated space, with new façade, bar and lounge area,
expanded patio and updated dining room. Nguyen, an experienced DJ,
hopes to create a “casual, cool vibe” that lingers into the night. “I
want the restaurant to be nice enough to bring a date but affordable
enough so that people can come regularly,” he says. Look for an October
opening.
It was a sad surprise for many to learn that Juniper Grille (1332 Carnegie Ave.), the seven-year-old breakfast and lunch spot near
Progressive Field, closed abruptly earlier this month. “My wife and I
looked at the lease, and I decided we wanted to do something else
somewhere else,” explains owner Tom Szoradi. Fans of Szoradi’s
style, which relies on quality ingredients and classic technique to
create approachable, affordable fare, should not have to hold their
breaths too long. Once the team settles on a spot — they are
looking in the nearby suburbs surrounding the city — they will
move forward with plans to open “something similar in style.”
Nickel & Nickel is the source of some of the finest
single-vineyard wines coming out of the Napa Valley. At 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 6, Moxie (3355 Richmond Rd., 216.831.5599,
moxietherestaurant.com)
will host a dinner featuring the wines of Nickel & Nickel,
including an early release of the 2006 cabernet sauvignon. Chef
Jonathan Bennett has created a spectacular five-course menu to
match. Reservations are suggested; cost is $99 plus tax and
gratuity.
This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2009.
Pretty excited to have a good Asian spot in tremont. Ty fun doesn’t cut it…
D