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It’s officially time to bid farewell to the original location for Hue Vietnamese Restaurant, 2691 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., which will be closing after service on Saturday, April 16 to prepare for the move into its new location just two doors down.
That means just three more days to enjoy a final bowl of warming pho, a bowl of Vietnamese curry or plate of bánh xeo (Vietnamese crepes) in the restaurant where Carina (Cat) Tran first introduced the Bay View neighborhood to her culture heritage through the fresh, nuanced fare of Hue, Vietnam 12 years ago.
“It’s bittersweet,” says Tran, who operates the restaurant with her husband Mark Nielsen. “We established our business in that space. But it also feels good to have our own building, our own space. Am I a little bit sad? Yes. But we’re also excited for people to see the new restaurant.”
Tran says she expects to be able to welcome guests into the new restaurant at 2699 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. within the next couple of weeks. And when she does, she says they can look forward to a fun, lively space with a fresh new aesthetic, an indoor/outdoor patio and local art, including a large mural depicting the city of Hue, Vietnam.
“When we first opened the restaurant, it was about sharing a piece of our culture, and introducing people to Vietnamese cuisine," she says. "Over the years, Vietnamese food has really become everyday food. We have an identity now, and it feels good to be where we are.”
Hue is open for lunch and dinner through April 16 with hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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