A new Vietnamese street-food restaurant has opened at 114 Quimby St. in Downtown Westfield, serving rice bowls, banh mi and family recipes. Vina is owned by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Uyen Kirshenbaum, who also run Kirshenbaum Baking Co. on Elm Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Nov. 10.
The restaurant was opened by the same owners of Kirshenbaum Baking Co., according to Patch, which reported that Vina opened on a Friday. Chef Uyen Kirshenbaum, the youngest of six girls, is leading the kitchen and credits her mother for inspiring her culinary career, having been introduced to French-influenced traditional Vietnamese cooking at home, according to TAPinto. She describes Vina's fare as artisanal, soulful, hand-crafted, fresh and authentic, and says savory dishes are often served with rice to provide balance.
A Menu Built on Family Recipes and Bakery Bread
TAPinto reported that the menu ranges from small and large plates to rice bowls and sandwiches. Offerings include crispy Vietnamese pork egg rolls, a gỏi salad with pickled vegetables, herbs and tiger shrimp, and stewed pork belly with soft-boiled eggs.
The restaurant also serves pâté chaud with chicken filling and banh mi made on baguettes supplied by Kirshenbaum Baking Co. TAPinto reported that Vina prepares its sandwich and bowl proteins and pickled vegetables in-house. The restaurant welcomes diners of all ages and families.
Street Food as Comfort, Co-Owner Says
Jeff Kirshenbaum told TAPinto that Vina’s menu is intended to offer a convenient, comforting take on Vietnamese street food. He also pointed to the work involved in making the breads, spreads, proteins and pickles, and described the restaurant as a personal tribute to Uyen’s Vietnamese culture.
Vina’s website greets visitors with chao ban, a casual Vietnamese phrase translating to “hello, friend.” TAPinto reported that Uyen sees the restaurant as a connection to her childhood, Vietnamese heritage and family recipes.
From Bakery Roots to a Second Westfield Storefront
The Kirshenbaums aren't new to building food businesses in town. They established their first Kirshenbaum Baking Co. location in their hometown of Westfield in 2022, and later expanded with a Morristown location that opened Aug. 23, 2024, according to Morristown Green. Vina marks their move into a full-service restaurant concept just steps from the bakery's Elm Street storefront.
Downtown business district
According to the Town of Westfield, the Downtown Westfield Corporation manages the Special Improvement District and works to support downtown businesses and community life. That information describes the corporation’s role but does not establish whether Vina’s 114 Quimby St. address is within the district.
As of mid-July, Vina was expected to open soon, though no date had yet been announced, per the earlier Patch report. That changed when the restaurant opened at 114 Quimby St. Vina is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed Mondays, and can be reached at 908-228-2855.
