Pham's Wondrous Asian Kitchen Closed

[SmartCookie]

I'm so conflicted; he has such grand visions but can't seem to be able to make his restaurants work, for reasons ranging from poor management, over-extension, to lackluster menus.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/10...

[galewskj]

What's the grand vision? Adding lots of sugar and/or cranberries to Asian dishes and calling it fusion?

[sandylc]

He is colorful at best and self-indulgent & egotistical at worst.

[zfwp]

felony charges have been made, an arrest warrant has been issued

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/...

[Jordan]

Is anyone surprised?

[shadowfax]

Not me. Been there twice. Once for an office function and once for a gathering over dim sum. Unimpressive food both times. Some of the dim sum was ok, but the waitstaff looked at you weird if you ordered more than 3 small items (that 2 people were sharing). Don't make me feel awkward for asking you to let me give you more money. Duh.

[bkmnus]

It was reported that he owed an equipment supplier $30K, which he may have now paid up, but still owes $150K to the state. He does have a history of overextending himself, on many levels.

Thanh Do in SLP has really been slipping in quality of late. For some reason he thought having a full liquor license would make the place a hit. It hasn't. Now the kitchen is flailing badly.

It is a good thing he is now only a consultant to the new version of Azia @26th & Nic.

[SarahInMinneapolis]

That place was doomed from the get go. Ego, people. Not what anyone wants to pay for.

[semanticantics]

That and $20 Pad Thai...

[Edit] Forgot about the retooling of the failed menu to nonsense burger fusion. Oof.