BOCAPHE in SoHo Celebrates Third Anniversary
By: Marina Kennedy Oct. 13, 2018
BòCàPhê is a celebration of Vietnamese and French culture, serving up healthy, traditional Vietnamese classics with a French twist. Conceptualized by Parisian owner and Executive Chef Raphael Louzon in partnership with Jeremie Mouyal, the two were introduced in 2011 by their fathers in Paris, recognizing the pairs diverse talents and their deep appreciation for Vietnamese food. The duo took that passion and set out to bring the experience to New Yorkers, and in 2015 they opened BòCàPhê, which celebrates its third anniversary this October.
Executive Chef Raphael Louzon has always been immersed in the culinary world since he was a child. Growing up he worked with his family, who own multiple Vietnamese restaurants in Paris including the immensely popular Hanoi Cà phê and the newly opened Ca Phe Hanoi in Tel Aviv. Hungry to learn more about the culture and cuisine, Chef Louzon traveled to Vietnam to work under Chef and Kung Foo master Hando Youssouf at La Petit Hanoi, practicing Kung Foo by day and mastering the art of Vietnamese cooking by night, before making his way to New York in 2011 to bring his family's restaurant concept to the states. While living in New York, Chef Louzon went to work, holding different positions within local eateries including The Butcher's Daughter to learn the ins and outs of the restaurant world before opening BòCàPhê.
Partner Jeremie Mouyal decided to forgo his career as an attorney in Paris and joined Chef Louzon on his NYC adventure in 2011. He took up all kinds of posts in different spots around SoHo including Tartinery to learn the art of running a restaurant.
BòCàPhê is artsy and stylish, accented by famous French quotes and prints of old Vietnamese newspaper clippings with rustic zinc tables lined in the front room. A bar is anchored in the center, where brightly colored bulbs and upside-down flower pots are hung to create a Vietnamese street vibe. In the back-room guests will find a large skylight with a window giving a full view of the kitchen, multi-colored Terrazzo high-top tables and an arresting mural by French artist Stephanie Ledoux. The plateware is originally from the Chef's family's restaurant in Paris with depictions of iconic Vietnamese figures. There's also an outdoor terrace with views of SoHo's Lt. Petrosino Square.
Chef Louzon's inventive menu features simple dishes with complex flavors that will excite the senses. Everything on the menu is made in-house with Vietnamese classics and French touches noted throughout. Chef Louzon only uses grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and Steelhead salmon, cooking with grapeseed oil. Striving to make the food even healthier he provides guests with low-carb alternatives such as zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice. Guests will find appetizers of Taro Fries served with a homemade spicy mayo dipping sauce, the Vach Ki Ri, a French-inspired fried spring roll with a whole grain crispy shell stuffed with quinoa, shiitake mushrooms and Vache qui rit cheese, and a selection of Bao Buns with options such as Miso Eggplant and the crowd-pleasing Shitake & Cheese made with a light and creamy goat cheese, each served with pickled vegetables and cilantro.
BòCàPhê signature Pho selections include Classic Pho made with traditional Vietnamese noodles and grass-fed beef and Vegan Pho with vegetables and vegan broth. Bo Bún rice noodle bowls are spotlighted with a base of vegetables, lettuce and peanuts, topped with choice proteins such as the Salmon & Avocado and Beef & Lemongrass. Burger lovers will find a quirky twist on an American classic with the Bao Burger, a grass-fed beef patty with Bibb lettuce and green pepper sauce served on a steamed bun served with a side of taro fries.
Breakfast is an all-day affair at BòCàPhê with options like a delicate and boldly colored Acai Bowl with fresh fruits, homemade granola and chia seeds, and an inventive Avocado Toast with cranberries and an added crunch of pecans. A breakfast menu standout comes in the form of the Egg Banh Mi, an omelette served on a baguette with Vache qui rit cheese, pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, jalapeno and cilantro served with a side salad.
For their Brunch offerings, they provide a bottomless mimosa special and a different take on the everyday Eggs Benedict with their Bao Benedict served on a steam bao bun with fried potatoes and papata salad, with the option of smoked salmon or turkey bacon.
For a sweet ending to the meal, guests can indulge without the guilt with selections including the Chocolate Mousse, a dairy-free avocado chocolate mousse complemented with fresh strawberries, and Coco Chia, a dairy-free Chia pudding made with coconut, banana chia seeds and chocolate sorbet.
The beverage program was also crafted by Executive Chef Raphael Louzon and features everything from house specials including the Hydromiel known as the drink of the gods (honey, lemon juice, fresh ginger shot, fresh mint) and Black (lemon, honey, lavender, black charcoal), fresh pressed juices, healthy shots and smoothies. A French wine list and specialty craft cocktails are served up with choices like the Ho Chi Mint (house sake, ginger, lemon juice, pineapple and mint), Belle Piscine (Rose wine, pink grapefruit and fresh strawberries), Swimming Pool (white wine, sparking wine and hibiscus) and Back to Black (sake, lemon, honey, lavender and black charcoal). They also provide homemade infused sake with lychee and pineapple and ginger offerings. Vietnamese coffee, black drip coffee with condensed milk, can also be savored and is served tableside.
BòCàPhê has always attracted celebrity guests for their healthy vegan and traditional Vietnamese options including Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively and Dakota Johnson. They also offer delivery and can be found of popular service sites including Caviar, Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash and Eat24.
BòCàPhê is located at 222 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012. Phone them at 646.882.1939 and visit their website: http://bocaphe.com/. The restaurant is open Sunday to Wedesday from 8:30am - 12:00am and Thursday to Saturday from 8:30am - 1:00am. Follow them on Instagram @bocaphe
Photo Credit: Courtesy of BòCàPhê
Comments
Videos