Acadiana Business

Around Town: Anne's Table coming downtown

by Kari Walker

Healthy takeout concept to open on Jefferson Street mid-August in former Pane & Vino location.

Photos by: Kari Walker

Former Pane & Vino location becomes Anne's Table mid-August.

Anne's Table is a new food concept hoping to open by mid-August at 740 Jefferson St., the site of the short-lived Pane & Vino restaurant. Pane & Vino is now a food-truck-only business.

John Panaro will be taking over the downtown location for his new concept. Panaro considers himself a food scientist - his educational background is diverse, with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, a master's in nutrition and an associate degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America.

His idea centers on healthy takeout options prepared fresh, by him, and then ready for customers to either take with them or to eat at a table in the dining room of Anne's Table - the meals will be cold and need warming once ordered.

"Everything is fully cooked, and there's no need for additional cooking," says Panaro, adding microwaves will be available for guests wanting to dine on site, or the meals can be re-warmed at home.

Menu items will feature dishes made from lean proteins, like fish and chicken, gluten-free side dishes, vegetables and housemade bread and cornbread. As for the title of the restaurant, Panaro is using his passion for food as a tribute to his mother, Anne, who died of breast cancer.

Anne's Table will serve lunch and dinner options from 11 a.m-8 p.m.