Ha Nguyen and Binh Pham opened Saigon Garden on South University, they wanted to make sure they hadn't overestimated the market for Vietnamese cuisine, so they served traditional Chinese dishes alongside Vietnamese noodle soups, gingered chicken over rice, and lemongrass-seasoned fish. They needn't have worried. In June, she opened Paradise Restaurant in the Colonnade shopping center on West Eisenhower. Paradise is nicely appointed and bright, with imitation green marble tables, sleek black chairs, and a pretty floral carpet.
Classical music plays quietly over the sound system.
The initial menu offered 200-plus dishes, but it's now being trimmed down. Less Chinese dishes, more Vietnamese. Paradise offers free delivery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At dinner, most of Paradise's business is carryout. The Vietnamese restaurant replaces Dennis Moosbrugger's Pizza Republic, which closed for lack of business.