Issara Modern Asian Cuisine, located at 17th and Pine Lake Road, is a family owned and operated sister restaurant to Blue Orchid that offers a wide variety of pan-Asian cuisine. Benton Alexander is the Head Bartender at Issara Modern Asian Cuisine.
Tell us a little about your business. – Issara has been open for 3 years now. We focus on Thai Fusion and have an extensive wine list along with a serious cocktail program working very closely between our chef and myself to make sure that we always have new and exciting drinks for our guests.
How did you get started in the business? – My first job in a restaurant was the day after I turned 16, and I’ve been with the Issara/Blue Orchid for 8 years now. I think that says a lot about our owners and how great and gracious they are that I’m still excited to work here.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – As with any service industry position it’s staying ahead of the curve, continuing to be fresh and creative in our approach to every guest, maintaining a high standard of quality, and consistently bringing something new and great to the table.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – That for me is yet to come. Approaching the Sommelier Exam has been a huge challenge with studying and learning. In October when I take the test, and then pass it and earn my professional title, it will be my most important achievement!
Tell us a little about your family. – I come from central Nebraska and my parents live in Donovan. They are normal western Nebraska type people. Kind, humble and very supportive of everything I’ve ever done and it’s been very exciting exposing them to Thai food. They always get to try new things and that makes me happy.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Go out to eat. I’m a musician as well so I write a lot of music when I am not in the restaurant. I also like supporting local businesses, so you’ll usually find me at one of those.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – While I’m a wine service professional, I write electronic music, and I’m well-traveled, my roots are still very country. I was raised on horseback, and a lot of people don’t know or wouldn’t expect that I came from central Nebraska.
What are you the most proud of? – The work that we do in the restaurant and the fact that as a musician I have been able to tour about 500 shows in 15 states.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Just listen; keep your mouth shut and your ears/eyes open, pay attention to what other people around you have to teach you, and be receptive of that.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – A professional philanthropist.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.
What is your favorite movie? – Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance).
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Issara, of course!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Nichola Tesla.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Well, I’m always at the bar so you can stop by Issara and say hello, call the restaurant at (402) 261-5594 or visit our website at issaracuisine.com.