A Laotian restaurant called Bida Manda is opening this summer in the former Duck & Dumpling space in downtown Raleigh.

Owner Vansana Nolintha, who is originally from Laos, says they hope to open in late July or early August. Nolintha, 26, is opening the restaurant with his sister, Vanvisa, 24.

The siblings came to the United States in 1998 to learn English and finish school in Greensboro. From there, Vansana attended N.C. State University, studying chemistry, art and design and world religions. He went on to get a master's degree in peace and conflict studies from Trinity College in Ireland. All of that training led him to food and a desire to open a restaurant that reflects his own personal narrative.

His sister seems appropriately trained to join him after studying hotel and hospitality management at UNC-Greensboro.

So what is Laotian food? Nolintha explains it combines aromatic Southeast Asian ingredients with French technique. It is a cross between Thai and Vietnamese food but was elevated and refined when Laos was a French colony, he explains.

Nolintha plans to use recipes that he learned from his mother and hire a chef to execute them. They will offer a small, seasonal menu.

The restaurant's specific location is 222 S. Blount St., Raleigh.

The Duck & Dumpling restaurant in downtown Raleigh will close at the end of the year. It's a move that will shutter a long-standing downtown restaurant and the first one opened by Raleigh businessman Greg Hatem.

Hatem's Empire Eats is the company behind several downtown Raleigh restaurants, including the Raleigh Times and Morning Times, The Pit, Siti and Gravy. But Duck & Dumpling was first, opening eight years ago and bringing Asian cuisine to downtown Raleigh.

Though a popular lunch and weekend dining spot, Hatem said business at the restaurant was just OK.

"It hadn’t done great in years, put it that way," he said.

Eat or drink at any of the six Empire Eats restaurants in downtown Rlaeigh(Raleigh Times, Morning Times, The Pit, Duck & Dumpling, Gravy and Sitti) today (Monday, July 19) and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to N.C. Theater.

The theater company is the region's non-profit producer of Broadway musicals.

Raleigh's Duck & Dumpling is serving up a three-course Indonesian meal for $25.

The choices include beef satay or tofu satay, masaman beef curry (potatoes, carrots, onion, roasted peanuts and avocado AND I assume beef although the e-mail doesn't say) or Indonesian chicken curry (chicken, potatoes,  carrots, red peppers, onion and fresh ground tumeric) and banana fritters for dessert. 

Call 838-0085 for a reservation.