Not every restaurant that marks a decade on Capitol Hill has a concept. Some places — like Bamboo on 15th Ave E — survive through a combination of satisfying menus, fair prices, and, often, timely boosts of new energy.

Capitol Hill Vietnamese standard Bamboo is marking 10 years this summer under new ownership.

Vietnam native and long-time Seattle resident Nhat-Linh took over the restaurant perched above 15th earlier this year. It is the longtime food industry veteran’s first turn as an owner.

“The previous owner of Bamboo were getting tired,” said Linh, who said that she has had a long relationship with founder Thanh Le and refers to him as “brother.”

“Suddenly he said, ‘I’m too tired’ and he had to spend more time with the family, and he can’t work for so long because his health [is] not good anymore.”

Linh is now running Bamboo and her energy is a big part of the reason Bamboo is now marking 10 years on Capitol Hill.

Le’s business was born on 15th after his first food and drink effort here, soup shop Pho 900, was displaced by Broadway redevelopment. Today, The Lyric building calls that block home.

Linh’s story goes back further when she moved to the United States from Hue City as an international student when she was 18 years old, she said, and she eventually became a U.S. citizen. Since 2007, Linh has lived here.

Linh has never owned a restaurant before and her long experience in food and drink comes from years in the grocery industry.

Tired of the long commutes and challenges of raising her three children, Linh says running her own joint is actually a nice change of pace for her life, making it easier to make time for family and her children.

As for Bamboo, her goal is to maintain and grow what is working.

“All the recipes and everything, we kept the same,” she said.

Something that Linh hopes to bring to Bamboo are new dishes and drinks, while maintaining original recipes.

“I hope I can make them feel like I have more choices for them, and make sure it’s still friendly,” said Linh, who mentioned she hopes to keep the eatery a family-friendly spot.

While Linh is still going through a learning curve with operating Bamboo, she tries to make improvements where needed, she said, and she’s finding joy in adapting to the new work environment.

“It’s really nice — really good. I am getting to know a lot of people, like the regular customers for us, and we’re talking here and there,” said Linh. “They support us so much. Of course they still miss my brother but the way that we serve and the way that we do it is kind of similar.”

Bamboo is located at 345 15th Ave E. Learn more at facebook.com/bamboorestauranton15.

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