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Thom Pham's Temple

by Peter Lau

As Chef-Owner of some of the most popular restaurants in Minneapolis, it is no surprise that Thom Pham's dream is gaining momentum. Rooted in the rich cooking history of his past starting with his Grandma Bo's specialties in Vietnam, Pham has developed a combination of local and exotic flavors, which have become his signature. Temple, in downtown Minneapolis, is his latest creation and there are two new projects on the horizon. Pham let us in on some of the details.

TS: It seems like not that long ago we were talking about cranberries and Asian flavors at Thanh Do in St. Louis Park. Then came the modern and sexy Azia and Caterpillar Lounge. You have added Anemoni Sushi and another restaurant called Temple. Did you ever imagine you would be one of the leaders in the F&B business in Minneapolis back then?

TP: I ALWAYS HAVE A DREAM AND JUST TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME. FOCUS ON THE NOW AND TODAY AND KNOW YOU WILL MEET YOUR LONG TERM GOALS.

TS: What keeps you going?

TP: THE BUSINESS. THE ENERGY, THE PEOPLE, THE EXCITEMENT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE FOOD. FOOD OFFERS ME AN ENDLESS PALETTE FOR ART. I LOVE TO BE BUSY!

TS: Your downtown location was inspired by you grandmother, is that right? What put the Temple concept into motion?

TP: YES, MY GRANDMOTHER BO. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO A RESTRAUNT CONCEPT DEDICATED TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S FINE CUISINE. TEMPLE'S SPACE OPENED UP AND I KNEW FROM THE MOMENT I ENTERED THE BUILDING THAT IT WAS THE HOME THAT WOULD CATER TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S PASSION... FRENCH ASIAN FUSION.

TS: It seems that, with the late night menus, you have tapped into a market many other restaurateurs undervalue. Do you feel this is one of your strong points?

TP: NOT NECESSARILY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO OFFER GREAT FOOD ALL THE TIME. I DO GET THOUGH THAT AT DIFFERENT TIMES WE WANT DIFFERENT THINGS. THE FACT THAT WE SERVE UNTIL 2 AM AT BOTH AZIA AND TEMPLE IS A STRONG POINT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL RESTAURANTS.

TS: What inspired you to add music to the environments you create?

TP: TEMPLE AND AZIA ARE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES IN A SENSE. TO ME, FOOD, DRINK AND MUSIC SHOULD ALWAYS GO TOGETHER.

TS: The look of your venues are modern yet very comfortable. Do you have a design background?

TP: NO. TO ME IT IS COMMON SENSE. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS ALL I DO. I TRY TO READ PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND AT THE CORE OF THEM WHAT THEY WANT FROM ME AND WHAT MAKES THEM HAPPY AND OF COURSE COMFORTABLE.

TS: Much of the press lately has presented a negative view of the Minneapolis dining scene highlighting all of the closings. At the same time your restaurants and career are blossoming. How do you feel about the future restaurant scene in Minneapolis?

TP: THERE IS A MARKET FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY. I BELIEVE IF YOU PUT OUT THE RIGHT PRODUCT DURING THE RIGHT TIME YOUR BUSINESS WILL THRIVE. I BELIEVE IN THIS MARKET AND I LOVE MINNEAPOLIS. I HAVE HAD AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SO MANY OF MY GUESTS AND I HAVE FAITH THAT THIS MARKET WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

TS: What is your next project?

TP: MIX RESTAURANT AND BAR AND ALSO MANHATTAN MARTINI LOUNGE. BOTH ARE LOCATED ON EAST LAKE STREET IN THE LONGFELLOW NEIGHBORHOOD. WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THIS SUMMER BUT WE WILL NOT BE RUSHING INTO ANYTHING.

TS: How are they different than your previous spaces?

TP: MIX IS MORE OF A CASUAL DINING SPACE WITH GREAT FOOD AND GREAT PRICE POINTS. MANHATTAN IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DONE. IT IS GOING TO BE MORE OF AN EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY RENDITION OF A NEW YORK BAR!

TS: What is the best seat in the house (just so I know where to request when I bring a date)?

TP: TEMPLE BOOTHS IN THE MAIN DINING ROOM ARE VERY COMFORTABLE AND ASSIST IN THE ENJOYMENT OF THE EXPERIENCE. IN THE LOUNGE THE SETEES' ARE MOST SEXY.

AZIA HAS THE BOAT IN ANEMONI THAT IS A FUN EXPERIENCE. ALSO, AFTER DINNER THE CATERPILLAR LOUNGE IS A GREAT SPOT TO RELAX, DIGEST AND LISTEN TO GREAT MUSIC.

TS: Any great values like the half price sake happy hour at Azia?

TP: TEMPLE'S HAPPY HOUR IS THE SAME AS AZIA... EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM 3PM TO 6PM AND FROM 10PM TO 2AM. THE TAP BEER IS HALF OFF AS ARE A NUMBER OF MARTINIS AND EVEN BOTTLES OF WINE!

TS: What will you be cooking up that you would sit down and enjoy when you finish with a shift?

TP: THAT TRULY DEPENDS ON MY MOOD I SUPPOSE…DEPENDING ON WHICH RESTAURANT I END UP AT. AZIA AND TEMPLE BOTH HAVE GREAT SEAFOOD SELECTIONS…YELLOWTAIL TUNA TARTAR AND LOBSTER WITH TAMARIND AND GINGER SAUCE HAVE BOTH BEEN RECENT FAVORITES FOR ME. OH YEAH, AND A OF COURSE A NICE GLASS OF WHITE BURGUNDY!

TS: Do you have a dish that the crowd just won't let you change because they love it?

TP: OF COURSE THE COVETED CRANBERRY PUFFS AT AZIA ARE A CROWD FAVORITE. IN TERMS OF ENTREES THOUGH, IF I CHANGED THE CRANBERRY CURRY OR THE WALLEYE IN JALEPENO BASIL SAUCE I COULD POSSIBLY FIND MY OWN HEAD ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. THE SEABASS IN UNI BUTTER SAUCE AND THE SHRIMP CAKES ALREADY HAVE AVID FOLLOWERS AT TEMPLE

Get theskini on Mix and Manhattan coming soon to the 3300 block of East Lake Street!

Temple | 1201 Harmon Place | Minneapolis | 612.767.3770 | www.mplstemple.com
3pm to 2am 7 days a week

Thanh Do | 3005 Utah Avenue | Saint Louis Park |

Azia Caterpillar Lounge - Anenomi Sushi & Oyster Bar| 2550 Nicollet Avenue South | Check out the Archives

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