And that’s how Vientiane Café got its start as the city’s premier Laotian restaurant. The Blue Tent was done.Ī year later, the family opened their cafe at 4728 Baltimore Avenue. world-renowned anchor institutions, small businesses and residents to improve economic vitality and quality of life in Philadelphias University City. One night, L&I knocked on the Phanthavong’s front door - they were being raided. Thang Long Noodle Restaurant (Kensington) - 2534-36 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia. of Al Biernats This is an upscale steak restaurant that caters to the Highland Park crowd. But, remember, this was an “underground” business with no licenses and permits, and those can only last so long. Local example calling from another location in Vientiane.

Hordes of families, friends and neighbors would line up outside the Phanthavong household for a taste of Daovy’s cooking and a seat under the tent where they could spend the night drinking and gambling (before dinner, Sunny proudly mentioned, “Laotians know how to party.”). Latest reviews, photos and ratings for Vientiane Caf at 4728 Baltimore Ave in Philadelphia - view the menu, hours, phone number, address and map. All land borders closed and the last flights departed from Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Thai Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The family-run setup was helmed by Phoxay Sidara and Daovy Phanthavong - Laotian refugees - and their two daughters Manorack and Sunny. The government announced a lockdown on 29, March, starting on 30 March. It was known as the “Blue Tent” among locals - a tarp-covered wooden structure which served as an unofficial meeting place for the neighborhood’s blooming Southeast Asian community. Back in 2002, before it strutted the Vientiane name, the Phanthavong family’s Laotian operation out of West Philly functioned more like an outdoor speakeasy than a cafe.

Vientiane restaurant philadelphia