A new ‘taste’ in town

There’s a new restaurant in town, and its menu is full of unique flavors.

Viet-Thai Taste opened its doors to hungry customers for the first time Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Newton. Set up in a former county garage building, 208 S. Second Ave. W., the downtown eatery serves both Thai and Vietnamese cuisine — so wholesome soups and fresh spring rolls are plentiful.

Theresa Hoang, owner of Viet-Thai Taste, told Newton News in May the restaurant’s dishes and one-of-a-kind flavors may, at first, feel different to locals’ palates. However, Hoang is convinced her homestyle eats — like a hot bowl of pho or a heaping pile of pad thai — will win over customers.

Goldfinch Growth, Inc., a local real estate development group, acquired the property in 2019 after co-owners Bryan Friedman and Natalie Umsted pitched their idea to transform the old county garage into a restaurant or bar in downtown Newton. The county sold the building for $40,000.

Afterward, Goldfinch Growth steadily cleaned out the brick-and-mortar space and historically renovated it with the help of grants. Friedman said Hoang brings “enthusiasm, experience and tenacity” to the newly formed restaurant.

“And I think those are some key ingredients,” he said.

Keep a look out for a full story about this new restaurant in an upcoming issue of the Newton News.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com