Berlu
The name Berlu (bear-loo) comes from the French expression hurluberlu, used to describe an “an eccentric person.” Like Chef Vince Nguyen himself, Berlu is at times eccentric but always authentically so. 

Berlu opened in the summer of 2019 offering our perspective of PNW cuisine through an artful tasting menu. Months after opening, we were forced to close in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Throughout the majority of 2020/2021 we explored the flavors and techniques of Vietnam, operating as a Vietnamese bakery in the morning and Night Market in the evening.

We’ve applied our contemporary approach of cooking to these recent explorations of Vietnamese cuisine to bring a new vision to Berlu.

The Oregonian’s 2019 Rising Star Restaurant
Robb Report’s 2020 Best New Restaurants in America

Chef/Owner
A native of Orange County, California, Vince Nguyen gave up dreams of becoming a pediatrician when he discovered a talent for cooking. At age 21, he started his professional career at Providence, a two-Michelin star restaurant in Los Angeles. After 2 years in LA, Vince moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked at Castagna, eventually moving up the ranks to become sous chef. It was from his experience at Castagna that Vince grew more interested in the international food scene which took him to work in some of the best restaurants in the world, including Noma in Copenhagen and The Royal Mail in Australia (under chef Dan Hunter). Upon Vince’s return to the States, he worked as sous chef at Daniel Patterson’s two-Michelin star Coi Restaurant in San Francisco. In October 2015, Vince launched a weekly pop-up dinner series under the name Jolie Laide. His ambitious 12-course tasting menus were immediately met with rave reviews and solidified his ambitions for a brick and mortar restaurant.

Berlu is the culmination of Chef Nguyen’s experiences in top restaurants as well as an articulation of his personality. It is through his ever-evolving cuisine that he feels best able to express himself.

2022 Portland Monthly Chef of the Year
2023 James Beard Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific