He’s been threatening to do it for years, but I was trying to wish the thought out of his head. I just received word that he’s making good on his threats. It’s true. Francois is selling our beloved restaurant, Vo’s. In a few months he’s running off to California. New owners will be taking over the restaurant next week. Saturday is the last day Francois will officially run the roost. There are rumors of a big pajama party/lockdown, but nothing is confirmed yet.
Sigh.
Let me tell you a thing or two about Vo’s. It’s all about Francois.
The food is excellent, sure. But he is such a personality. And he treats his vegan customers very well. Then again, he treats all of his customers very well. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a vibrant little community. Watching Francois in action is a wonder. He knows the names of all of his customers, including the little ones. The first time I ate there he was friendly. The second time I ate there he’d remembered my name and what I’d ordered the time before. Now that I’m a regular he knows my preferences like they were his own (tofu spring rolls w/special sauce and mock duck w/potatoes, hold the onions, add broccoli). When I was an exhausted new mother, stumbling in bleary-eyed, he would take the little man off my hands for a bit. Often giving him a tour of the restaurant so that I could eat in peace. My son has seen more of Vo’s than I have. He’s a frequent VIP visitor to the kitchen (I’ve never been in there). Francois always takes time to chat, asking about my son…keeping up on where I’m working and who I’m dating. He gives my son and I gifts and hugs. And, if we’re really good, he’ll sometimes sing karoake (he used to be a lounge singer). This is terribly terribly depressing. I had to break the bad news to a good friend. Ruined his day. He is even more of a Vo’s devotee than I am. He and his wife were married in the restaurant. I swear, that was the best wedding I’ve ever been too (ah, the fried bananas). These are sad times indeed. But I know where I’ll be eating the next couple of nights.