BIZNOTE: Ex-Be’s Restaurant reopening as Bonjour Vietnam

After a year-long closure, what was Be’s Restaurant at 4509 California SW in The Junction will reopen next week with a new name, Bonjour Vietnam. New furnishings, too.

Same ownership – Jade Nguyen, daughter of Be’s longtime owners, who (mostly) retired during the early pandemic shutdowns, after 35 years,

Jade has run The Alley speakeasy-style bar behind Be’s since 2018. She is almost done remodeling the restaurant, with plans for a soft open starting around 5 pm on Summer Fest Eve (next Thursday, July 14th). We talked with her there this evening. Changes include a higher ceiling and new lighting, plus front windows that open.

As for the food, she says the menu is still being finalized but as the new name implies, it’ll have both French and Vietnamese flavors – from escargot and paté to pho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls. She says making a change just made sense, as trying to replicate Be’s offerings with a different chef after her parents’ retirement just wasn’t working. Another change: The restaurant space now includes a bar.

16 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Ex-Be's Restaurant reopening as Bonjour Vietnam"

  • Boinsted July 7, 2022 (9:35 pm)

    Yes!! Looking forward to your opening, Jade. I’m hungry just thinking about some delicious Vietnamese food. Best of luck!

  • FabioDude July 7, 2022 (9:58 pm)

    Yay! I love étouffée!

  • andreea July 7, 2022 (10:24 pm)

    You had us at “both French and Vietnamese” and “front windows that open”. Can’t wait to join you!

  • dhg July 7, 2022 (10:56 pm)

    We will definitely check it out.  Hoping for an elevated Pho experience.

  • BigJer July 8, 2022 (6:58 am)

    So super excited!!! cảm ơn Jade!

  • Rick July 8, 2022 (8:22 am)

    Didn’t that spot used to be Angelo’s burgers in the early 70’s ?  Somebody’s getting old.

    • BlairJ July 8, 2022 (11:01 am)

      I remember an Angelo’s burgers downtown on Pike Street in the late 60’s.  Same chain?

  • JVP July 8, 2022 (8:51 am)

    Yes!  Bring on the some good vermicelli bowls with real Vietnamese flavors! And pho, can never go wrong with good pho.  There’s a lack of good Vietnamese in the Junction, really pulling for you and hope you nail it. We’ll be stopping by.

  • Conjunction Junction July 8, 2022 (9:15 am)

    Excited to be able to walk to get vermicelli bowls and banh mi!  Can’t wait to come and try!

  • Chris K July 8, 2022 (11:35 am)

    This is exciting news!  They’ll have to be phenomenal to compete with Oh’s banh mi, though.

  • Allison July 8, 2022 (1:56 pm)

    Congrats!  Looking forward to trying it!

  • HTB July 8, 2022 (1:57 pm)

    Awesome! Now get new owners/businesses in The Hydrant, Ma’ano and Luka Love spaces

  • Marcus July 8, 2022 (7:21 pm)

    Great news!  Excited for more Vietnamese cuisine in the neighborhood!!

  • Christopher B Barnes July 12, 2022 (8:40 am)

    “Good morning, Vietnam”!!

  • Patti B July 20, 2022 (12:59 pm)

    Ate here today and thought it was awful. Threw out most of it and will stick with Pho Aroma (however inconvenient). 

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