• Melissa Haskin
• Viet Thai

Two years ago, Hiep Pham closed the doors of his Essex Junction eatery, Vietnam Restaurant. Between rent and other costs, he just wasn't breaking even, he says.

Last Friday night, neighbors and old customers gathered at Pham's new restaurant, Viet Thai, to eat his cooking once again. Viet Thai is located at 118 Pearl Street in Essex Junction, just down the street from the old place. While its name indicates its range of offerings, the focus is on Vietnamese cuisine; Pham and his family emigrated here from Vietnam in 1991.

Customers of Vietnam Restaurant will find the menu numbers different but much of the food similar. Expect five different versions of pho, along with bun ga (vermicelli noodles) and com suon (grilled pork chops with rice). Thai options include curries, tom kha and pad si yew. Most entrées run $7 to $10, while most appetizers are priced at about $5.

There's no web presence yet; the restaurant's phone is 288-1688.