STRANG HALL - A CHEF-COLLECTIVE COMING UP IN OVERLAND PARK

Calling all local foodies! Not one, not two, but six  Chef-driven restaurants are coming to town. Yes, you heard that right! Add a coffee shop and a bar to the mix. Strang Hall is a chef collective under one roof, which will be opening its doors soon. Downtown Overland Park, has been undergoing a  major facelift, and Strang Hall might just be the star of the new block. I can't tell you excited that makes me as I am forever looking for great dining options in the southern part of the KC metro. If you were thinking fo Strang Hall to be just another food hall, then you are mistaken. As its much more than that. 13,00 square feet of fine dining, from six different chefs.Tim Barton, the founder of Strang Hall, seeks to create a unique culinary experience by partnering with local chefs. A series of media events and the narrative of Strang Hall was unveiled, along with some exclusive tasting sessions.  

It is hard to pick favorites, but let's start with Chef Remy Ayesh. I love me some tacos, any day of the week. Chef Ayesh's restaurant will be called Nida, which means Nest in Spanish. Why did I start my article with Chef Ayesh, well, both of us went to KU Journalism School. She returned to her culinary roots to follow her passion. After holding prestigious positions in New York, Chicago, and Kansas City, she will be packing a flavor punch in a tortilla. 

From Spanish-Lebanese flavors to something closer to home. Chef Anourom Thomson will be opening Anousone(A-New-Sone). Chef Thomson will be serving comfort food with a Southeast Asian flair. While I have eaten my way across quite a bit of Asia, I must add that it was my first introduction to Laotian cuisine.

Chef Chad Tilman's Italian-inspired Norcini shall be offering craft sandwiches and both red and white pizzas. Chef Tilman is well known for inspiring foodies on how to eat local. From being a skilled butcher for over twenty years to being a forager of wild mushrooms, Tilman's culinary journey is fascinating for any foodie.

ChefMark Dandurand shall be opening Fond -which seeks to serve familiar dishes by injecting exciting flavors to create something wholly new. From butcher shop fare to vegan plates, Chef Dandurand has quite a few culinary surprises up his sleeve.

Chef Jon Ponzer brings an East Asian flair to a fried chicken concept, at his restaurant - Basabasa. A fried chicken sandwhich with spicy Kimchi or a close cousin of the  Japanese chicken sando. As an Asian foodie myself,  I can tell you that Asian fusion with fried chicken, seems like quite a culinary match made in heaven.

Last but not least, is Chef Erin Bassett's restaurant Solstice, which higlights seasonal produce and her passion for healthy food. Chef Bassett seeks to have a menu that uses the freshest of produce sourced from local farmers, featuring soups, sandwiches and seasonal salads. 

So which Chef's creation will you be interested in sampling first? Strang Hall shall be opening its doors to the public in December. Bon Appetit !


Thank you Nam Cu for photographing me at the preview events.