(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is helping a new restaurant downtown by allowing it to expand its alcoholic beverage offerings.

 

The La Porte City Council approved a three-way liquor license for Bon Viet by a unanimous vote Monday night. Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said the liquor license allows beer, wine, and liquor to be part of the menu. Beer and wine have been served there since the restaurant opened at the former T-Berry’s Diner at 501 Lincolnway.

 

Under a still relatively new state law, the city has an unlimited number of liquor licenses it can issue in what’s described as a riverfront district or a body of water in close proximity to an area being primed for redevelopment.

 

“The liquor license will definitely help us,” said Bon Viet Owner Tu Bloom, who’s a professional chef in Chicago. Bloom said he came to La Porte to shop for antiques when the idea for the restaurant came from discovering the vacant space and “the beautiful small town atmosphere” relatively close to Chicago.

 

“Your community has been so overwhelmingly supportive,” he said.

 

He also encouraged people to stop in and check out the menu.

 

“There are specific things that speak out to people. It’s hard to say which one will be your favorite but I’m sure there will be multiple items,” he said.

 

Bloom is also a florist providing flowers for the annual Grammy awards show.