611346 Sat Apr 11 17:29:23 -0700 2009 4 19 Outer Boroughs 0 4588140 We tried to stop by the World of Taste Seafood on Jerome Ave in the Bronx for lunch today, but were surprised to see it had a new yellow awning labelled "Pho Mien Tay". That was not the only change, though: David Nguyen and the two older Vietnamese ladies were gone. We were crushed. The only one still there was a Liberian lady named Mary, who said she'd owned the restaurant for the past two years, and that David had been working for her. When we sat down for lunch, we noticed a new Vietnamese restaurant under construction across the street. Mary confirmed that David is opening his own restaurant across the street. I wish I could say the food was still as good without David there, especially since Mary is such a nice lady and it looks like the place is really hurting for business. But it just wasn't. Half of the menu was out of action, including pho and weekend specials like the crab soup, and the half that remains was hardly recognisable. Mary said she intends to keep the existing menu, but hopes to add West African food to the menu - a mix of Senagalese and Liberian dishes. When we said we didn't know a single Liberian restaurant in New York, she tempted us with descriptions of jollof and fufu and goat soup. We checked the new place out after lunch. A hand-written whiteboard out front listed David's signature bun bo Hue. No menus yet, no idea when it will open. We couldn't figure out what the restaurant name was, but the blue and white awning says, "Com tam Ninh-Kieu" and "Pho cali". So we have high hopes that David's amazing bun rieu will be back on Jerome Avenue soon. Some background on World of Taste, nee Phung Hung: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/dining/27brief.html http://www.porkchop-express.com/2007/07/phung-hung-market.html Sat Apr 11 17:29:23 -0700 2009 10402 plum 1 4588553 Plum, fsval also reported the same rather disturbing news in this thread ... Take a look --> http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/404181?tag=boards;topic-404181 Look on the bright side, MORE dining *options* on Jerome Avenue is a good thing and more importantly, I hope that both businesses can survive in this struggling economy. Sat Apr 11 21:56:31 -0700 2009 4588140 10609 Cheese Boy 1 4588990 I had duck soup and spring rolls there a few weeks ago. A man worked the cash register and a woman cooked. I was skeptical that there was sufficient demand to support 2 Vietnamese restaurants. Morphing this restaurant to West African may not be so bad. It seems to change names regularly anyway. Sun Apr 12 07:28:02 -0700 2009 4588140 268231 MahatmaKanejeeves 2 4589446 I'm actually excited about the prospect of a Liberian restaurant in the city. While I'm sure it will be similar to other West African cuisines, I'm sure it'll have some special dishes that have been to this point unavailable in the city. Sun Apr 12 11:30:17 -0700 2009 4588990 12006 lambretta76 1 4591404 thanks for the update. what it really comes down to is: I will follow that duck soup to the end! Mon Apr 13 09:54:17 -0700 2009 4588140 12656 bigjeff