Photography by George Mahe
Tower Grove South restaurant snō is slated to reopen Thursday, a week after co-owner Tony Nguyen was charged with domestic assault. Sous chef Phuong Nguyen (no relation to co-owners Jessica and Tony Nguyen) will run the kitchen.
“I trust the capable staff we have hired in Tony’s absence," notes Jessica Nguyen. "They will run operations as chef Tony takes some time away from the restaurant. There is an appointed acting executive chef and GM that will be present at all times."
The much-anticipated restaurant had been open for five weeks when the alleged domestic abuse incident occurred. The husband-and-wife team had been active in the business before its temporary closure, with Tony Nguyen running the kitchen and Jessica Nguyen overseeing the front-of-house operations. Prior to moving back to his hometown, Tony Nguyen was chef-partner at acclaimed Beverly Hills restaurant Crustacean, while Jessica Nguyen was an accomplished chef and a marine scientist.
As reported by the Riverfront Times, Tony Nguyen was arrested on September 19 and charged the next day with second-degree domestic assault and third-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and fourth-degree domestic assault. Nguyen pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $50,000 bond.
“Jessica and I will be stepping away from daily operations for an undetermined amount of time," says Tony Nguyen.
