If the term "gap year" conjures images of carefree teens backpacking in Tuscany, such sojourns enjoyed prior to the start of college have not been the experience of Stevenson High School graduate Hansol Kang. Instead, Kang, 19, is devoting most of his gap year to helping a family friend launch the new Pho An Heights restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights, where he works as a host and server. Taking a break between the lunch and dinner rush at the Korean-Vietnamese fusion restaurant at 6 S. Dunton Ave., Kang explained how his job includes daily life lessons not offered at any university lecture hall.

Q: Whenever I've visited Pho An Heights, I've noticed you seem to be very busy, and wearing many hats, so to speak. What is a typical day like for you?

A: We open at 11 a.m., so I usually get to the restaurant at 10 a.m. I start by using a broom and mop to make sure the whole place is clean. I also make sure all the tables are set and the sauces are filled and ready. Depending on what day, it can get really hectic, or business can be nice and steady, which is more relaxing. Once we open, if it's not too busy, I always tell the customers they can sit anywhere they want to. Sometimes two people come in, and they want to sit at a table for four by the window, and if it's not too busy, that's fine. People like to have the choice to decide.

Q: What does the name of the restaurant, Pho An, mean?

A: Pho is noodle, and An is the owner's last name. Someone just asked me that today. I think it's nice that people ask me a lot of questions about the menu, as I'd rather explain it to them than have them not knowing and just randomly guessing what something means.

Q: What are the most popular items on the menu?

A: Our Asian customers order a lot of pho combinations and our spring rolls are really popular. People really love our noodle soup with sliced beef brisket, and the Pho Xao, which is fried noodles. We used to serve tripe (cow stomach) but a lot of people don't eat it, so we took it off the menu.

Q: So, how did you decide to take a gap year from college?

A: I actually went to SIU (Southern Illinois University) after I graduated from high school, and I finished my freshman year, but I really didn't like it because I didn't know what I wanted to major in. I thought taking a gap year would be a good way to get my thoughts together, and take my time deciding on what I want to study. I didn't want to just stay home and do nothing, so when my father's good friend was opening a restaurant, they asked me if I wanted to work here.

Q: Is this your first experience working in the restaurant business?

A: Yes, and it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. I thought serving would be a simple thing, but there's a lot more to it. The hardest part is putting in the order right, and keeping track of all the little things before it becomes a big issue. When I first started, I messed up a lot … I kept forgetting to bring the water, and I messed up the table numbers. But most people are nice. If you are smiling and give them good attention, you can also have fun.

kcullotta@tribpub.com

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