Eric Banh

Eric Banh, an established presence in the Seattle restaurant community, operates three Ba Bar restaurants. He also runs Ba Bar Green, a plant-based restaurant. Leading the restaurants with his sister Sophie, and his wife Teresa. Eric Banh has developed a menu that includes grilled prawn vermicelli, roasted veggie banh mi, and lemongrass tofu Singapore noodle. In addition to dine-in, he has a catering capacity for events and features cold drinks, from craft cocktails to fresh shaken Vietnamese Iced Coffee with a straw.

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Biking as a Workout

​ Eric Banh believes that biking is an excellent cardio workout, capable of burning around 400 calories per hour while focusing on strengthe

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Elements of an Authentic Vietnamese Restaurant Experience

Vietnamese cuisine uses fresh ingredients and vibrant colors. It offers diverse dishes that combine savory, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

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https://ericbanh.mystrikingly.com/blog/a-guide-to-streamlining-restaurant-business-operations

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Gardening Traditions Among Vietnamese and Asian Immigrants in America

Eric Banh highlights that kitchen gardening has been a lasting tradition among Vietnamese immigrants and other Asian communities living in America. For many, like Eric Banh, maintaining backyard gardens to cultivate familiar crops such as vegetables and herbs is an essential part of their lifestyle. This practice allows them to preserve the cultural food practices from their homeland, something Eric Banh values deeply. In recent years, kitchen gardening has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially among millennials who are concerned about climate change, sustainability, and healthy eating. Many have adopted the practice of growing their own food in backyard or rooftop gardens. However, as Eric Banh points out, this isn’t a new trend for Vietnamese and other Asian communities. For decades, they have been using kitchen gardens as a way to maintain their connection to traditional food sources, passing down this skill through generations.

This practice remains a vital part of their lives, blending the need for healthy living with cultural preservation, something Eric Banh believes should be appreciated and celebrated by the broader public.

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Wine Spectator Recognizes Restaurants with Interesting Selections

Seattle-based Monsoon is one of several restaurant establishments to receive the prestigious Wine Spectator Excellence Award. The Wine Spectator awards, including the Award for Excellence, recognize restaurants with interesting wine lists appropriate for the entrees they serve and appeal to diverse diners.

Qualifying restaurants must provide complete information regarding their wine list, such as vintage and appellations (the origin of the grapes) for each application. The restaurants that received the Award of Excellence submitted applications with wine lists comprised of at least 90 selections, meeting specific standards. They also paired them with entrées on the menu based on theme, price, and style. The list must provide discerning wine connoisseurs with satisfying options.

In 2024, 2,150 restaurants received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The award recognizes restaurant efforts to curate high-quality options and collaboration between ownership and operations staff. Moreover, it acknowledges the establishment’s effort to provide diners with excellent wine selections.

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Ba Bar and Monsoon Co-Owner Eric Banh Pays It Forward

Chef and restaurateur Eric Banh, the co-owner of two of Seattle’s top Vietnamese restaurants, Ba Bar and Monsoon, found a way to give back to the community through Mary’s Place. Mary’s Place supports the needs of women and families to ensure that no child will spend the night outside of a safe shelter.

In February 2023, Banh partnered with David Hill Winery to raise funds for this cause. David Hill Winery created a wine called “Saigon Siblings Pinot Noir,” which was sold at all Ba Bar and Monsoon locations. Banh gave $10 to Mary’s Place for every bottle of Saigon Siblings Pinot Noir sold.

Appearing in the “Emerald Eats” segment of the TV show “Studio 13 Live” on Fox 13 Seattle, Banh recalled the time when he, his parents and siblings, and other Vietnamese nationals escaped from Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War. The Banhs sought refuge in Malaysia, moved to Canada, and finally settled in Seattle. Banh remembered that as refugees in America, people came to give them food and everything else that they needed to survive. Now that he is in the position to be able to pay it forward, Banh launched the fundraiser through the wine sold at Ba Bar and Monsoon restaurants. Banh envisioned raising as much as $10,000 for Mary’s Place.

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Tips for Having a Great Karaoke Experience

Coming from the Japanese words “kara” (empty) and “oke” (short for orchestra), karaoke has established itself as a fun and interactive activity. At dedicated karaoke bars, house parties, or team-building events, participants can channel their inner singers and step into the shoes of their favorite music star. In addition, participants can ensure great karaoke experiences by considering the song they will sing and their behavior before and after they step on the stage.

If you have ever watched a singing competition, you know that the song choice can make or break you. The same applies to karaoke. If you already do not have a “go-to karaoke song” that lifts your spirits and you are confident you can sing well, check the playlist for a song you love and know the lyrics by heart, which energizes you and falls within your vocal range.

Many say karaoke experiences rely more on enthusiasm than talent. Elevated moods help participants feel at ease, which attracts the crowd. Knowing the lyrics will give you additional confidence and freedom since you will not have to stare constantly at the screen. The vocal range refers to how low and how high you can sing. If you sound more like Bruno Mars, do not try to be Tina Turner.

Another important point to consider when selecting your song is picking a popular one with a well-known chorus. This way, you can engage the audience and ensure its positive reception. You will fare even better with a song with a call-and-response portion like Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way. Also, keep it short and sweet; avoid songs with long bridges, intros, or guitar solos, which can disengage the audience and make you feel awkward standing on the stage.

Once you have your song of choice, consider practicing singing it at home or anywhere else suitable. Under the shower is one plausible option. The point is to set your brain to the song’s melody and lyrics.

Warming up your vocal cords is also critical for your preparation before you grab the mike. Drinking warm water mixed with honey and lemon will soothe them. Staying hydrated is also beneficial for vocal cords’ elasticity. And more mechanical preparation relates to doing some vocal warm-up exercises. One of the most popular ones is the lip trill. It involves inhaling and then exhaling while vibrating your lips together. Not only does lip trill warm your vocal cords up, but it can also help to improve your vocal range and breath control if you do it at different pitches and speeds.

Finally, when you hit the stage and grab the karaoke mike, keep the latter close to your mouth and avoid shouting and screaming into it. While you may not hit every note, ensure you stay in rhythm. Keeping the beat is particularly important if you have chosen a fast-paced song with abundant lyrics. You can spice things up with attention-grabbing dance moves, grand hand gestures, and exaggerated facial expressions. You can even jump off the stage and walk through the audience like real stars do. Karaoke is the perfect occasion to let loose and have fun.

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How to Franchise Your Restaurant - A Guide to Expansion

Expanding a restaurant through franchising offers an appealing pathway to growth and national recognition. Understanding the essential steps and considerations will ensure a smoother transition from a single establishment to a franchised network as you consider this route.

First, carefully analyze if your business can be franchised by assessing its replicability and distinctiveness. Your restaurant should have a clear, profitable business plan, a well-known brand, and a different selling proposition to set it apart. Maintaining brand integrity will depend critically on consistency in quality, service, and atmosphere over several sites.

The franchising procedure revolves mainly around legal issues. You have to create a thorough Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Legal requirements call for this paper, which contains essential information regarding the franchise system, including the franchisor's history, fees, initial investment requirements, and duties of both franchisor and franchisee. Working with a franchise attorney guarantees that your FDD conforms to federal and state laws, safeguarding your company and future franchisees.

Your franchise's smooth running depends on developing a solid operational foundation. This framework includes standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering all facets of restaurant operations—from food preparation and service protocols to marketing plans and customer service standards. Offering new franchisees and their employee's comprehensive training courses guarantee that your restaurant's operational standards and fundamental principles are always maintained.

Franchise operations depend much on financial planning and management. Making decisions on the initial franchise fee, continuous royalties, and other financial plans requires much thought. While royalties usually fund continuous marketing activities, the franchise fee should represent the value of your brand and the assistance you provide. Fair and open financial terms draw prospective franchisees and help to build long-term, mutually profitable relationships.

Presenting the advantages of your restaurant concept, such as market potential, profitability, and support systems, helps you to create a strong franchise pitch. A solid online presence, including a quality website and active social media activity, allows your business to stand out. Presenting success stories and quotes from current franchisees helps to establish credibility and confidence even further.

Essential elements in the process of expansion include site choosing and development. Finding appropriate sites for new franchise buildings requires market research to grasp consumer preferences, demographic trends, and competitive environments. Working with commercial real estate professionals guarantees franchisees get great sites that fit your business's target market. Furthermore, supporting shop design and layout and offering architectural standards help to create a consistent brand image.

Critical elements in the success of your franchise network are constant help and operational support. Setting up a committed support team to help franchisees with daily operations, troubleshooting, and company growth results in a solid franchisor-franchisee connection. Making sure partners stay in line with your brand's standards and are up-to-date on industry trends is easy with regular contact, performance reviews, and training opportunities.

Uniformity and quality control throughout all franchise sites protect your brand's reputation. A robust monitoring system comprising frequent audits and inspections facilitates regular maintenance of high food quality, service, and cleanliness standards. Encouraging comments from consumers and franchisees offers insightful information for ongoing development and creativity.

Flexibility and creativity are vital in the constantly changing restaurant business. Keeping current with customer tastes, market trends, and technology developments can help your franchise remain relevant and competitive. Accepting digital solutions such as loyalty programs, online ordering, and delivery services will improve the client experience and stimulate expansion.

Finally, building a solid franchise community promotes cooperation and joint achievement. Setting up frequent meetings, conferences, and networking gatherings gives franchisees chances to exchange knowledge, support one another, and help the brand to flourish generally. Acknowledging and recognizing exceptional performance inside the franchise network helps to build a culture of excellence and inspires franchisees to keep on a path of development.

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How to Franchise Your Restaurant - A Guide to Expansion

Expanding a restaurant through franchising offers an appealing pathway to growth and national recognition. Understanding the essential steps and considerations will ensure a smoother transition from a single establishment to a franchised network as you consider this route.

First, carefully analyze if your business can be franchised by assessing its replicability and distinctiveness. Your restaurant should have a clear, profitable business plan, a well-known brand, and a different selling proposition to set it apart. Maintaining brand integrity will depend critically on consistency in quality, service, and atmosphere over several sites.

The franchising procedure revolves mainly around legal issues. You have to create a thorough Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Legal requirements call for this paper, which contains essential information regarding the franchise system, including the franchisor's history, fees, initial investment requirements, and duties of both franchisor and franchisee. Working with a franchise attorney guarantees that your FDD conforms to federal and state laws, safeguarding your company and future franchisees.

Your franchise's smooth running depends on developing a solid operational foundation. This framework includes standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering all facets of restaurant operations—from food preparation and service protocols to marketing plans and customer service standards. Offering new franchisees and their employee's comprehensive training courses guarantee that your restaurant's operational standards and fundamental principles are always maintained.

Franchise operations depend much on financial planning and management. Making decisions on the initial franchise fee, continuous royalties, and other financial plans requires much thought. While royalties usually fund continuous marketing activities, the franchise fee should represent the value of your brand and the assistance you provide. Fair and open financial terms draw prospective franchisees and help to build long-term, mutually profitable relationships.

Presenting the advantages of your restaurant concept, such as market potential, profitability, and support systems, helps you to create a strong franchise pitch. A solid online presence, including a quality website and active social media activity, allows your business to stand out. Presenting success stories and quotes from current franchisees helps to establish credibility and confidence even further.

Essential elements in the process of expansion include site choosing and development. Finding appropriate sites for new franchise buildings requires market research to grasp consumer preferences, demographic trends, and competitive environments. Working with commercial real estate professionals guarantees franchisees get great sites that fit your business's target market. Furthermore, supporting shop design and layout and offering architectural standards help to create a consistent brand image.

Critical elements in the success of your franchise network are constant help and operational support. Setting up a committed support team to help franchisees with daily operations, troubleshooting, and company growth results in a solid franchisor-franchisee connection. Making sure partners stay in line with your brand's standards and are up-to-date on industry trends is easy with regular contact, performance reviews, and training opportunities.

Uniformity and quality control throughout all franchise sites protect your brand's reputation. A robust monitoring system comprising frequent audits and inspections facilitates regular maintenance of high food quality, service, and cleanliness standards. Encouraging comments from consumers and franchisees offers insightful information for ongoing development and creativity.

Flexibility and creativity are vital in the constantly changing restaurant business. Keeping current with customer tastes, market trends, and technology developments can help your franchise remain relevant and competitive. Accepting digital solutions such as loyalty programs, online ordering, and delivery services will improve the client experience and stimulate expansion.

Finally, building a solid franchise community promotes cooperation and joint achievement. Setting up frequent meetings, conferences, and networking gatherings gives franchisees chances to exchange knowledge, support one another, and help the brand to flourish generally. Acknowledging and recognizing exceptional performance inside the franchise network helps to build a culture of excellence and inspires franchisees to keep on a path of development.

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The Traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich Ingredients and Versions

With roots stemming from street food vendors of Saigon, the banh mi combines Vietnamese and French traditions in a sandwich that features a

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Restaurants Benefit by Sourcing Food Locally

More and more restaurants are sourcing food locally. An August 2022 article in the food and beverage publication The Bottom Line defined “locally sourced” as foods transported less than 150 miles from their production site. However, the 2008 Farm Bill says the distance must be less than 400 miles.

Restaurants often source meat and produce locally and purchase beer, cheese, honey, spices, and baked goods from nearby merchants. Some restaurants have even gone so far as to grow hard-to-come-by ingredients on-site. At Ba Bar and Monsoon we purchase all of our beef, pork, chicken and tofu locally. We focus on sustainably raised meats and chicken and partner with ranchers and farmers who act responsibly.

While the main disadvantage of using locally sourced foods is the price, which can be higher, it makes business sense for restaurants for several reasons. First, it reduces supply chain complications, as locally sourced foods have fewer miles to travel. Restaurant operators do not have to worry about items shipped from other states or countries arriving on time or in good condition.

Locally sourced ingredients also tend to be healthier than foods that are not purchased locally. For example, fruits and vegetables imported long distances are often picked before they are ripe, then gas-ripened with the chemical ethylene. Conversely, they may be treated with preservatives to prevent over-ripening. Either way, they are not as fresh as locally sourced fruits and vegetables, which may have been harvested as recently as in the last 24 to 48 hours.

In terms of health, small local farms tend to use organic practices when growing produce and raising livestock. Employing organic methods to grow produce, specifically, means that farmers use no chemical agents or other artificial substances. Without these substances, the food is more natural than food from a large producer. Ultimately, diners benefit from produce that has not been treated with fertilizers and other chemical agents.

Locally sourced food producers enable restaurants to sometimes offer food with distinctive flavors. The reason for this is local farmers or food makers use special techniques as a part of growing or making food. For instance, artisanal cheeses can improve the taste of a dish, giving it a more regional flavor. Furthermore, some winemakers take advantage of the local soil, climate, and sunlight to produce wine with certain flavors. This is another example of how purchasing food locally can influence the flavor of meals.

Outside of fresh, healthy, and tasty food, another benefit of purchasing locally sourced food comes from the restaurant operator's opportunity to network with others in the food industry community. By buying locally, restaurant proprietors build relationships with local farmers which may lead to other business opportunities. At Ba Bar and Monsoon we practice this method and love the relationships we have with local growers and producers.

For restaurants implementing sustainability strategies, purchasing locally sourced foods is a way to reduce their carbon footprint. Shortening transportation of food items by hundreds of miles minimizes the amount of fuel used and reduces carbon and other emissions. Since the food is not traveling as far, producers may also use fewer packing materials to protect it en route, another benefit for the environment. Further, restaurants that buy fruits, vegetables, and other foods from area merchants and farmers keep money in their community, boosting the local economy.

Restaurants that serve locally sourced foods may also attract more customers. The August 2022 edition of The Bottom Line mentioned a 2020 National Restaurant Association report stating that 76 percent of adults surveyed said they were more likely to visit restaurants offering meals with locally sourced ingredients.

Restaurants can reach out to local farmers and merchants by visiting farmers' markets. While at these markets, operators should look at the quality of the food and talk to farmers to determine if they can meet the demands of supplying their restaurant. In addition, restaurant operators can visit wholesalers that source their products from local farms.