Cary

"Chef Lon Bounsanga is just days away from opening his own Laotian restaurant, Saap, in downtown Cary at 370 S. Walker Street. On November 15, the public will have a place to order pork belly soup, larb, green papaya salad, and more. Much of the Triangle knows Bounsanga as the executive chef of Raleigh restaurants Bida Manda and Brewery Bhavana. Bounsanga now has a place of his own though, where he can continue to showcase the food of his childhood home of Vientiane, Laos. He’s proud to introduce more dishes like smoky pork skewers, North Carolina ginger prawns, and crying tiger, a grilled steak dish served with papaya salad. The menu is divided into small plates, large plates (with soups and curries), and a wok section (with fried rice and noodle dishes). The chef is also excited to show off his new space, which his wife Annmarie helped him and his team design. They brought in the earth tones of Laos into the dining room with forest green accents, natural light woods, and large windows bathing the room in sunlight and allowing views of the lush greenery in Downtown Cary Park. Starting November 15, Saap opens for dinner on Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and has plans to add in lunch service soon." - Erin Perkins