Whether the Aspira building qualifies as downtown or Denny Triangle, I couldn’t tell you. But I do know this: Cynthia Hoang and her family are opening La Lot Vietnamese eatery at the base of the shiny tower at 1823 Terry Avenue.

Hoang is involved with several other restaurants in the area, including Pho To Chau and Cafe Pho, but says the concept of La Lot is “completely different… More wine and dine.” One assumes she’s referring to the sleek surroundings with floor-to-ceiling windows and trendy trimmings (there it is again: wallpaper), as seen on the La Lot website.

A bar seating 25 or so is in the center of the restaurant and will tender a decently stocked beer, wine, and cocktail list. Food-wise we’re looking at “a mixture of fusion and traditional dishes,” says Hoang.

Hoang is hoping to open La Lot, named for the leaf predominant in Vietnamese cooking, by the end of the month but is realistic about such things—a mid-February target is more likely.