Robin Krause has built a reputation for delicious, mindful, ingredient-driven cooking at Billie’s Grocery, but with Casa Ama she turns her attention to the vibrant flavors of Mexico as seen through her lens. She’s created a menu that balances deep flavors with her signature freshness. Located in the former Salty Iguana space at 8228 Mission Road at Corinth Square in Prairie Village, the restaurant feels less like a reinvention of a neighborhood institution and more like an entirely new chapter, one rooted in bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a polished approach to casual dining.
The restaurant’s expansive patio and bright bar area naturally lend themselves to lingering over cocktails and shared appetizers, but once you head inside, the former Salty Iguana has been transformed into a clean, contemporary dining room softened by warm woods, cobalt tile, lush greenery, and natural textures that feel appropriate for dining day or night. Large windows flood the space with light while maintaining an inviting neighborhood feel that fits comfortably into Prairie Village’s evolving dining scene.
Rather than presenting a strictly regional interpretation of Mexican cuisine, Krause, consulting with the chef Anourom Thomson, owner of Anousone at Strang Hall, and the director of operations, Rico Hernandez, has created a menu inspired by the dishes and ingredients that were shaped by her travels throughout Latin America and beyond. Look for Laotian and Thai ingredients sneaking their way into some dishes, offering a nice mix of cultures and cuisines that complement each other.
At Billie’s Grocery, Krause built her reputation on creating vibrant, ingredient-driven dishes that never asked diners to sacrifice flavor for healthier choices. Her acclaimed pastry program also proved that gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan desserts could be every bit as indulgent as their traditional counterparts. So it came as little surprise that, within hours of Casa Ama posting its first photos on Instagram, loyal Billie’s Grocery fans began asking what dietary accommodations would be available at the new restaurant. The answer is reassuring: Casa Ama’s philosophy is the same as Billie’s Grocery…