Table Hoppin

Worcester chef opens third restaurant, with a fourth set for November launch

BARBARA M. HOULE

On the move: Local restaurateur and chef Son Vo launched his third restaurant, Chashu Ramen + Izakaya in September, and will open a fourth, Reign Café inside the DCU Center, by November.

Vo of Worcester, co-founder and executive chef of Chashu Ramen + Izakaya, 38 Franklin St., Worcester, and his close friend Tam Le of Newton, Chashu’s co-founder and CEO, have partnered with Joe and Susan Skrzek, owners of Glazy Susan doughnuts, in Reign Café. Glazy Susan doughnuts, coffee and beverages currently are being sold weekends, outside Reign Café. Check Glazy Susan’s Facebook page for more information.

Vo entered the local restaurant scene in 2007 when he opened Kaizen Sushi Bar & Grill in Sturbridge, expanding his business portfolio with the Vietnamese restaurant Pho Sure in Shrewsbury in 2014. Worcester Business Journal in 2019 named Son Vo Small Business Leader of the Year.

We recently sat down with Vo and Le to dish about their city restaurants. Both men have a strong work ethic, and their path to success can be attributed not only to great teamwork, consistency of food and service in their businesses and guest loyalty, but also a sense of community.

Son Vo’s mother ran a restaurant in Vietnam before the family came to the United States when Vo was 14. He’s now 40, married and father of three boys. After graduating from

South High Community School

in Worcester, Vo served three years in the U.S. Army. He worked in sales and was a waiter in a couple of restaurants, including the former Sakura Tokyo in Worcester, before “deciding to go for it” and open his own restaurant. One of his three sisters, Cynthia Tsang, partnered with him in Kaizan Sushi Bar, he said, and another sister, Tram Vo, manages the Vietnamese restaurant Pho Sure. All three of his sisters are successful businesswomen, he said.

Vo and Le first met in 2014 when Vo was a guest at Le’s wedding. Le’s wife and Vo were high school friends.

Tam Le and Son Vo pose for a portrait inside their new restaurant, Chashu Ramen + Izakaya located at 38 Franklin St. in Worcester.

SABRINA GODIN

The men laugh when they tell the story that they again met when Le and his wife were on their honeymoon in Cancun. Vo and his family were vacationing there at the same time. “Our families got to know each other even more,” said Le. “We really were surprised to see each other. It was coincidental, and I guess you can say it was meant to be.”

Le owns Reign Drink Lab in Dorchester, Pho Linh in Quincy and is a partner in his family’s business Pho Hoa in Dorchester. He does cook, he said, and has been in the kitchen, especially at Pho Linh. He received his MBA from Babson in 2013. “I felt my strengths were outside the kitchen,” he said about his degree. Le and his wife have a son and daughter. His father-in-law, a former owner of Sakura Tokyo, owns Hien Vuong Restaurant in Worcester.

About two and a half years ago after Vo looked at the Franklin Street space, he called Le and told him about his plans to open a restaurant and asked if he would be interested in a partnership. “Once I saw the spot and heard Son out, I immediately agreed to come on board,” said Le, adding that the men had no idea that COVID-19 would force them to shut down two days before the planned March opening.

The restaurant remained closed until last month. “We decided we wouldn’t do takeout from the very beginning,” said Vo. “It didn’t make any business sense for what we do. Our food is fresh and presentation is very important. We take great pride in what we do, and we don’t cut corners.”

The food at Chashu is a fresh take on Asian cuisine, fusing flavors across five eastern cultures, according to the owners. Vo said he is a food enthusiast who loves travel and finding great food when visiting a new city or country. He has trained with other chefs, he said, and is dedicated to his craft. “You’re always thinking about what you’re going to do next,” said Vo. “Honestly, I get bored when I have nothing to do. I need to keep busy.”

Le said Son had a vision for the business early on. His plan was for a beautiful restaurant where guests could relax with friends and family and where food and drink would complement each other, he said.

Chashu’s not just about great Asian cuisine, but also the elegant atmosphere that features Asian art with the art deco designs of New York architecture, said the owners. The dining experience is unique, and guests often comment that being inside the restaurant takes them to a whole new place, away from busy city life outside.

The restaurant currently seats 55 guests, adhering to city and state COVID-19 guidelines. There’s no outdoor seating. Guests are asked to wear masks before being seated. Temperatures are taken; hand sanitizing is provided.

Restaurant hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; closed Sundays. Reservations, especially weekends, are highly recommended. Call (508) 304-7183. Visit www.chashuramen.com for menu, etc.; Connect on Facebook.

Note: The restaurant offers discounted parking at the Mercantile Parking Garage on Front Street. There also is on street parking in front and near the restaurant.

Vo and Le said all their restaurants are doing well despite the pandemic. Both men agree Chashu is the biggest project they have been involved in so far, and they’re both happy with the decision to open the downtown location.

It appears Chashu’s diners are happy, satisfied customers.

Storming the Castle

James Nicas and Evangeline Nicas, owners of the Castle Restaurant in Leicester, have announced October wine tasting and dinner events.

The schedule:

Oct. 11 at 3 p.m., guests can taste 12 “incredible” wines (three whites and nine reds) from seven countries. Call the restaurant at (508) 892-9090 for more details. Limited seating.

“An Experience from the Sea”

will take place at 4 p.m. Oct. 18. The seafood dinner, with wine pairings, costs $112 per person, inclusive. Call to reserve.

Hors d’oeuvres, or “Oyster Extravaganza,” will precede dinner. Enjoy Oyster Rockefeller, Oysters Casino, Oysters Fire-Grilled with Garden Herb Butter and Oysters Au Natural.

First course: Gulf White Shrimp Tempura with a Blackberry Tartare Sauce; Dinner: Mahi-Mahi Filet, encrusted and oven-roasted served with a Nantucket Scallop and Saffron Cream; Dessert: McIntosh Apple Tartlet with Calvados Crème Anglaise.

Check the Castle’s menus for take-out. Restaurant hours: 2 to 8 p.m. Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday through Thursday.