Two new Asian restaurants are spicing up University Avenue.
Bahn Thai opened Friday in the former Bella Donna’s location at 1023 W. University Ave. Small House Traditional Chinese Cuisine opened during Winter Break in the former Farah’s location, at 1120 W. University Ave., both close to Karma Cream.
Bahn Thai is owned by a husband-and-wife team, Aung Chun and Moe Marlar-Chun. Both were medical professionals in Burma and Jamaica before they took over Bahn Thai from its former owners three years ago.
“Cooking healthy meals is important to us,” Marlar-Chun said, attributing her background in the medical field as the inspiration for preparing healthy dishes.
Bahn Thai opened for business on Friday at its new location and served a full house the same night.
“We decided to put the sign out, and everyone just came in,” Marlar-Chun said. “I was surprised.”
The most popular dish so far is the Pad Thai, and about half of the customers who’ve come so far are vegan or vegetarian, Marlar-Chun said.
Megan Ely, an 18-year-old UF zoology freshman, is hooked on the new Thai restaurant.
“I love the family atmosphere here,” Ely said. “The owners know me by name now. It’s nice.”
At Small House, the Szechuan spicy boiled fish filet is the most popular menu item, said Sherry Huo, a manager at the restaurant.
“Everything on the menu is what Chinese people are very familiar with in their home country,” she said. “As good as homemade — that’s the goal here.”
Huo said the restaurant keeps vegans and vegetarians in mind while keeping the menu interesting.
“We use vegetables many Americans are used to, and we cook them in ways they’ve never experienced before,” she said.
Lake City resident Robert Morgan is already a regular at Small House.
“I have made friends with some of the international students here,” Morgan said.
Huo said the proximity to UF campus is good for Small House. She said groups of Chinese and international students visit every day for lunch.
“It warms my heart to see that they can make this place like home,” Huo said. “They can come here and get a meal they really enjoy eating that tastes like home.”
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 1/15/2014 under the headline "New restaurants add flavor to University"
