Ep 1. Visions of Vietnamese

In season 2 episode 1 of Restaurant Startup, the show follows two competing teams as they present their visions for a Vietnamese restaurant concept to investors Joe Bastianich and Tim Love. The first team is comprised of husband and wife duo, Sarah and Ken who aim to bring authentic Vietnamese street food to the masses with their concept, V-Spot. Their menu includes dishes like banh mi sandwiches and pho noodle soups, with a focus on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.

The second team, led by brothers Tom and Tony, seek to modernize traditional Vietnamese cuisine with their concept, Pho Nomenal. They offer non-traditional twists on classic dishes, such as a pho-inspired mac and cheese and pork belly sliders with pickled vegetables. As the teams pitch their ideas to the investors, tensions rise as they both have strong cases for their concepts. They are tasked with creating a pop-up restaurant to showcase their food and create buzz for their concepts.

V-Spot sets up shop in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood, where they are met with enthusiastic customers eager to try their dishes. The judges appreciate the authentic flavors and attention to detail in each dish, but express concern over the competition in the area.

Pho Nomenal decides to take a risk and set up their pop-up in the less-traveled borough of Queens. The gamble pays off as they receive rave reviews and high praise for their creative twists on traditional dishes. However, they struggle with service and organization throughout the night.

After reviewing both concepts and evaluating their success at the pop-up restaurants, Joe and Tim must ultimately decide which team to invest in. The decision isn't easy as both teams bring unique perspectives and delicious food to the table.

Overall, episode 1 of Restaurant Startup season 2 showcases the fierce competition between two Vietnamese restaurant concepts and highlights the challenges and risks that come with creating a successful restaurant.