February/March
2013
I
remember when Thom Pham purchased Kowloon Chinese Restaurant across from the
Texa- Tonka Shopping Center and turned it into a popular spot for his version
of Asian fusion food. At age 25, it was
his first restaurant and he called it his “new generation of Azian cuisine.” It
was the spring of 1999 and stepping into this bright, pleasant restaurant with
its surprising menu promised a new look at the traditional food of the Asia
Pacific Rim. The restaurant was
successful from day one and after a few years he moved it across the street
into the shopping center, expanded the space and added a full service bar.
After delving into four other
restaurant ideas Thom is back at ThanhDo creating even more Asian food
surprises. While his popular cranberry
puffs with their spicy bit of chili are still on the menu, he is now working on
additional fillings including salmon, bacon or crab. He continues to take familiar foods and give
them a taste twist. Bow tie pasta leaves
the Italian approach with flavors of peanut, coconut cream sauce and Sing Ha
beer. Tamarind and butter sauce provides
a tangy contrast to the sweet meat of stir-fried lobster. Walleye pan fried in a light breading is
served on top of brown rice and vegetables, and then topped with Thom’s version
of Asian black bean sauce. Mussels
broiled with galangal and basil broth bring Southeast Asian flavors to these
sea creatures. Traditional Maryland crab
cakes move into the world of Asian flavors with green curry and fruit relish.
When Thom took over Kowloon he
continued to carry some of the Chinese dishes that made the restaurant such a
popular neighborhood spot for several decades.
The lunch menu still includes many of these favorites including chicken
chow mein, sweet and sour chicken, and lemon chicken along with an assortment
of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian favorites as well. But, the rest of the menu is strictly Thom’s
idea of blending flavors from around the world.
For the diner who still wants more
familiar dishes with just a hint of Asian flavors there is still Thom’s
treatment of slow-cooked pork spare ribs, Korean style short ribs and rack of
lamb.
The menu pays tribute to Thom’s
Grandma Bo who put him to work in her catering kitchen when he was six years
old. His first job was peeling carrots
and from there he moved on to understand and cook the dishes of Vietnam. As he grew older he would travel throughout
Vietnam with his grandfather tasting new dishes in restaurants along the way
then go home to Grandma Bo to try to recreate them. When he came to Minnesota he continued to
explore the food around him and broaden his recipe base with local and
international ingredients. His food has
no culinary boundaries. You may even see
Thom visiting local restaurants where he continues to explore new flavor
combinations.
ThanhDo opens at 11:00 am seven days
a week and closes at 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 pm Friday and
Saturday. It is at 8028 Minnetonka
Boulevard, St. Louis Park, with free parking at the door. Phone 952-935-5005. Stop in soon and help Thom celebrate
fourteen years of his “new generation of Azian cuisine” that brightens any cold
winter day. For additional information
visit thanhdorestaurant.com or visit them on facebook.
Read
more about Asian traditions and celebrations in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in
bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online: Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875
Buy online: Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875
