Listen as Kitty talks with Executive Chef Drew Smith and Owner Sean Degnan of Kō•än Cary. They also share their Sound Palate Pairing!

kō•än, seeks to bring stories, food and people back to the former ān cuisines space in Cary, NC. With a focus on humble, tranquil, “food for thought,” kō•än will bring a renewed energy and feel to Cary’s dining scene. kō•än’s menu is focused on sharing food that celebrates the unsung heroes of Southeast Asian cuisine. The restaurant is located at 2800 Renaissance Park Pl., Cary, NC 27513.

“What remains of ān cuisines is the sacred space, and the immigrant Japanese maple tree beside the beautiful empty building full of beautiful empty frames. What we will bring (back) into the space, to honor its rich tradition and celebrate its history is the kō: the people, sharing good food and drink and telling their stories. One by one, refilling the beautiful empty frames,” states kō•än’s owner Sean Degnan.

The kitchen at kō•än is led by Executive Chef Drew Smith, formerly of Raleigh’s bu•ku and so•ca, and winner of 2019’s Cooking for a Classic dining competition. Smith’s menu and vision for kō•än includes an array of small plates meant for sharing like Cauliflower 65, Duck Bao and Lobster Gyoza, along with large plates like NC Thai Fried Snapper and Green Tea Smoked Duck. Expect to find inventive bowls on the menu as well like the kō•än Hot Pot brimming with lobster, cod, shrimp and local vegetables or the Vietnamese Pho with Wagyu Beef Short Rib.

Check out the songs they paired their signature dishes with: