Chefs fuse multicultural dishes to create menu

When chefs Ek Timrerk and Bonnie Wright decided to open a restaurant, they wanted to create an eatery that blended comfort food flavors from America and Southeast Asia.

Timrerk and Wright opened Kin & Comfort inside the Hana World Market in April. In Thailand, where Timrerk is originally from, the word "kin" means eat. Wright said the restaurant's name is a reflection of the Thai and American fusion dishes the restaurant offers, such as macaroni and cheese made with cheddar cheese, stew brisket, pan curry, kale and coconut.

Other menu items include peppered beef tongue, meatloaf, coconut cabbage coleslaw and hush puppies. Dessert items include ginger ice cream with warm caramel apple and cinnamon, and chocolate chess pie.

For the monthly special dishes that are not offered on the regular menu, Wright said combinations of flavors she has recently tasted inspire her. For the holidays, Kin & Comfort offers a special dish with ingredients such as soy butter, ham and cranberries.

Kin & Comfort, 1700 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, 512-832-7870, www.facebook.com/kinandcomfort, Hours: Mon., Wed.–Sun. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.