First look: Chef behind Strang Hall favorite Anousone brings his popular Laotian fare downtown
March 19, 2024 | Startland News Staff
A new menu option at the Strang Chef Collective at lightwell hits familiar flavors for diners who already have fallen in love with renowned Chef Anourom Thomson’s Southeast Asian-inspired comfort food, said Shawn Craft.
Anousone at Strang Chef Collective at lightwell; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Anousone — a popular staple with the Strang Hall food hall concept in downtown Overland Park — has opened a new location within lightwell’s Strang pocket restaurant space. It joins Panacea, a New American bistro, in the two-concept, 4,805-square-foot food and beverage setup, which features additional outdoor seating along Main Street in downtown Kansas City.
“We know that the Central Business District is hungry for fast-casual lunch options that are also chef and season-driven,” said Craft, CEO of Strang Chef Collective. “It was a no-brainer to expand this popular concept into multiple locations.”
Anousone’s menu draws from Laotian-born Thomson’s journey as a refugee who found solace in his mother’s home cooking, according to Strang Chef Collective. The eatery provides a unique blend of flavors that pay homage to Laotian cuisine while incorporating Thomson’s extensive experience in American fare.
Click here to check out what’s cooking at Anousone.
“I am thrilled to announce the grand opening of our new restaurant at Strang Chef Collective at lightwell,” Thomson said in a press release. “This additional location will feature customer-approved dishes that meet our high-quality standards and reflect our commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience for busy professionals.”
The new space opened March 11.
Chef Anourom Thomson, Anousone
Strang Chef Collectives — a platform for local culinary talent and food entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and provide authentic chef-driven experiences — has locations in Downtown Overland Park, Downtown Kansas City, and the historic Country Club Plaza.
RELATED: Plaza’s two-floor, chef-driven food hall and late-night hangout now open
Thomson first launched Anousone’s Mobile Cuisine in 2017 within the Little Piggy food truck hub on Southwest Boulevard.
At Strang Hall, he has been an inspiration for his fellow chefs, which notably include his former sous chef Chris Jones — who now runs Khai-Noy, a Southeast Asian within Strang’s Plaza location — and Chef Ameet Malhotra — who recently opened Elephant Wings at Parlor KC in the Crossroads.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
This retro arcade and restaurant is revitalizing downtown with more than just flavors of nostalgia
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. TOPEKA — In the capital city of Todd Renner’s youth, he could ride his skateboard through downtown and not be bothered by anyone if he picked the right time of…
The Loop KC deepens leadership bench as it expands Millennials professional network to new cities
With a transition in leadership in the mix, a still-budding network for young professional in Kansas City — and beyond — is just getting started tapping into its potential, The Loop KC’s founder said. “Nothing is really by young people, for young people. Networking groups can be exclusive or cost too much for some people…
ULAH merging stores, moving women’s brand into seamless, new one-stop shop experience
Fans of LUNA by ULAH — a retail shop featuring an on-trend mix of ready-to-wear women’s apparel, accessories, gifts and home accents — will soon find the brand’s curated offerings two doors down in the Woodside Village live/work center on Rainbow Boulevard. The store is in the final planning stages of relocating to a space…
‘We’re all in it together’: Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop wraps family flavors with team work ethic
A staple of Kansas City’s emerging food scene for 27 years, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop’s growth and popularity wouldn’t have been possible without Malisa Monyakula’s team, the chef and owner said. “I’ve had amazing people working with me since the beginning; people continue to gravitate toward helping me with my vision,” said Monyakula from the…