The longtime home to Basa Modern Vietnamese will become Fork & Barrel in March, and be run by chef Geoffrey Heyde.

After 10 years operating one of the city’s most innovative Asian restaurants, brothers and owners Steven and Michael Ton will close Basa Modern Vietnamese in Clifton on Saturday, Christmas Eve.

According to Steven Ton, the end will be bittersweet, but the story has a bright future for both him and Michael.

“Everyone’s apologizing when they hear we’re closing, but it’s actually OK because we’ve had a really good run,” said Steven Ton, who managed Basa’s dining room. His family immigrated here from Vietnam, as Saigon fell, four decades ago. “Michael and I have made a lot of friends through the restaurant, and so I’m going miss that relationship with our guests. But we’re both really looking forward to what’s coming next.”

Michael Ton, the restaurant’s chef, will move to Boca Raton with his wife and two sons. Steven said she bought a nail salon there, and her having a business will give his brother time to spend with his sons, who are 7 and 12 years old.

“Working in the restaurant business means there are a lot of sacrifices made,” Steven Ton said. “He’s worked six days a week for 10 years, and he’s missed a lot of time with my nephews—his sons—and so I’m very happy for him. I know he’s looking forward to being a stay-at-home-dad for at least a little while.

“As far as me, it’ll give me more time to spend on Falls City (Hospitality Group) projects. I’ve spent the last several years working on that during the day, and then coming to Basa at night. I’m looking forward to a little more free time.”

Though the Tons are partners in Falls City Hospitality Group, he stressed that Basa is not a part of FCHG, and that the fall closure of Doc’s Cantina “has no connection at all to our decision. These are completely separate businesses. The timing is the only coincidence.”

Michael Ton will remain an FCHG partner for at least the immediate future, his brother said.

Ton said he’s promised the restaurant’s 10 employees that he’ll help them find jobs, and that several have already been absorbed into the staff at Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar, which is owned by FCHG.

Ton said the closing night’s dinner will include a special menu. The ending will be bittersweet since any sadness will be offset by seeing loyal customers.

“I’m not leaving Louisville, so I hope to see many of them around the city,” he said. “But I do really want to encourage customers to come by that night so I can say goodbye to them in person.

Since it’ll likely be busy, ring them up now for a reservation at 502-896-1016. And if you have an outstanding gift card, make sure to use it soon.

And speaking of Doc’s Cantina, what FCGH plans to do with the River Road space remains undecided, Ton said.

“No, there’s no decision yet,” he said. “We’re still trying to figure that out.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

76 COMMENTS

  2. Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg
    it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited
    from this site.

  7. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.

    I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it.
    Is there anyone else having identical RSS issues?
    Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  8. I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your blog.
    It appears as though some of the text within your content are
    running off the screen. Can someone else please comment
    and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might
    be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Many thanks

  10. We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to
    be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write
    content for you? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write concerning here.
    Again, awesome weblog!

  12. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.

    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I
    figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though!

    Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Thanks

  14. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get
    the hang of it!

  16. May I simply just say what a comfort to find someone who
    really knows what they are discussing online. You actually know how to bring an issue to
    light and make it important. More people must read this and understand this side of your story.
    I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you surely have the
    gift.

  19. I loved this post! I read your blog quites often and you’re always coming out with some great stuff!
    I shared this on my Facebook and Twitter page and my followers loved it!
    Keep up the good work!!

    Wow!!, Thanks for the info!! I’m definately going to pass this information along to my friends!!
    Thanks!!

    Excellent!! Right on time!! I came across your page at the right moment!!
    Thanks!!

    Great Post!! I needed to see this! I’m definately going
    to share this!!! Thanks!!

    Check out my web site :: Restaurants

  20. I loved this post! I read your blog quites often and you’re
    always coming out with some great stuff! I shared this on my Facebook
    and Twitter page and my followers loved it! Keep up the good
    work!!

    Wow!!, Thanks for the info!! I’m definately going to pass this information along to my
    friends!! Thanks!!

    Excellent!! Right on time!! I came across your page
    at the right moment!! Thanks!!

    Great Post!! I needed to see this! I’m definately going to share this!!!

    Thanks!!

  21. Hello there, simply changed into alert to your blog thru Google, and located that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful when you proceed this in future. Numerous other folks can be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!|

  22. Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Cheers!|

  27. I loved this post! I read your blog quites often and you’re always coming out with some great stuff!

    I shared this on my Facebook and Twitter page and
    my followers loved it! Keep up the good work!!

    Wow!!, Thanks for the info!! I’m definately going
    to pass this information along to my friends!! Thanks!!

    Excellent!! Right on time!! I came across your page at the right moment!!

    Thanks!!

    Great Post!! I needed to see this! I’m definately going to share this!!!
    Thanks!!

  28. I loved this post! I read your blog quites often and you’re always coming out with some great stuff!
    I shared this on my Facebook and Twitter page and my followers loved it!
    Keep up the good work!!

    Wow!!, Thanks for the info!! I’m definately going to pass this information along to my friends!!
    Thanks!!

    Excellent!! Right on time!! I came across your page at the right moment!!
    Thanks!!

    Great Post!! I needed to see this! I’m definately going to share this!!!
    Thanks!!

  29. Thanks for your marvelous publishing! I truly savored reading through it, you will be an incredible author. I will generally bookmark your weblog and can generally come back sometime quickly. I wish to motivate you to definitely definitely proceed your wonderful posts, Possess a nice weekend!

  68. Hoşlanan ilaç tüketicileri, çevrimiçi eczanelerden yeterince para kazanmalıdır.
    Onlinepharmacy, yerel tıbbi mağazalarda sağlanmayan kolaylıklar ve düşük maliyetler sunar.
    Çoğunlukla evde kalan engelliler için uygundur.

    Reçeteli ilaçlarını almak için akrabalarına bağımlı olmaları veya yardım almaları gerekmez.

LEAVE A REPLY