KOTO to open new ‘KOTO Villa’ restaurant in the heart of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district on Sunday the 15th November 2020.After months of anticipation, KOTO (Know One, Teach One) is set to open up its brand new training restaurant, KOTO Villa, just in time for Christmas.“It’s been a long journey but the support from the local and international community has made it all possible. We’re excited to bring our mission to Tay Ho,” says KOTO founder, Jimmy Pham.After 20 years of operating beside Hanoi’s Temple of Literature, KOTO’s first restaurant closed in March of this year as the tourist clientele disappeared due to COVID-19. Though disappointing this also created an opportunity and ‘KOTO Villa’ in Tay Ho promises to be something special. “Tay Ho residents demand a high quality of food and service and I know the expectations of our new clientele will drive our trainees to work harder than ever before. This in turn promises to produce an even higher calibre of graduate,” Pham says.KOTO recently acquired the colonial-era, French villa nestled at the intersection of 31 Xuan Dieu and Alley 35 Dang Thai Mai.
Extensively renovated with all of the luxury of Hanoi’s finest dining establishments, and staffed exclusively by KOTO’s best trainees, eating at KOTO Villa promises to be much more than just a meal.The newly revamped menu devised by KOTO alumni promises to offer a whole range of both local and international cuisine with a heavy focus on brunch. Meals will be cooked by KOTO’s best trainee chefs under the careful guidance of Head Chef, Phong Le Duc, who recently celebrated his 10th Anniversary working with KOTO.
That said, there will still be a handful of old favourites available and patrons will still be able to feel good knowing that by eating at KOTO Villa they are providing opportunities to Vietnamese youth, from challenging backgrounds, that they might not otherwise have had.Second year KOTO student, Ha Nguyen, will be waiting tables when KOTO Villa opens. “I’m really nervous but most of all, I just feel ready and very excited,” she says. “I come from a very poor village in the mountains. My family was all farmers and we never made very much money. I never thought I would have the opportunity to work in any restaurant, especially not a beautiful restaurant like this. It doesn’t feel real yet!”
Ha is just one of the hundreds of at-risk & disadvantaged youth who stand to benefit from the experience of working and training at KOTO Villa and it’s this that makes eating at KOTO Villa a dining experience like no other. Dining with social impact. To be one of the first to sample KOTO Villa’s new menu and experience the ambiance of KOTO Villa, visit www.kotovilla.comKOTO Villa can’t wait for you to meet our wonderful team of trainees who will be your servers, chefs and provide unparalleled service with a friendly smile. In honour of this milestone, we’ll be offering 20% off food for the entire day and we’ll also have a competition going to win a free dinner for four!
We’re filling up with reservations so don’t hesitate to pop us a message to book a table. Walk-ins are always welcome too! We can’t wait to meet you!
