Vista Ramen on Cherokee Street will reconcept

Changes are afoot at Vista Ramen. The folks behind the Cherokee Street eatery announced they will drop “Ramen” from the name and cease making ramen altogether. The change comes on the heels of the recent closure of Mothership, the food service Vista Ramen ran inside Earthbound Beer.

Chef-owner Chris Bork said the new concept will feature diner-inspired, new American fare.

“We wanted to be able to reach a wider audience. We felt our restaurant was too hyperspecific,” Bork said. “We’re just taking a step back and focusing more on simpler dishes that might appeal to a wider audience.”

He added that the change will free him up to use different ingredients and flavors outside of the Asian paradigm. “We’re excited. We can do pretty much whatever we want now,” Bork said.

Some of the new dishes include smoked brisket Bolognese with tagliolini, pomegranate-glazed beef ribs and onion rings, and roasted sweet potato with dukkah, an Ethiopian condiment. Not everything will change, though. Vista fans will be happy to learn the popular Korean fried chicken sliders and pork ribs will remain on the menu.

The current Vista Ramen menu will be available through Saturday, July 14. The restaurant will then close for a few days and reopen on Wednesday, July 18, as Vista.

Bork said once the restaurant reopens, it will take reservations via phone or online. Hours will be Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.