Lemongrass Bistro opened its doors in downtown Martinez on August 19, 2009. The owners of the restaurant envisioned a venue where people could come together to enjoy "contemporary" Southeast Asian dishes prepared by their mother Boun Pheng in an upbeat, cozy "bistro" setting. With that in mind, 501 Main Street was redesigned and remodeled with the help of student designers from the Academy of Art in San Francisco to make this vision a reality. Since its opening, Lemongrass Bistro has not only become a recognized restaurant in Martinez, but also a member of the community.