Now Open
Fresh Fish in Brookside
Fans of Jarocho chef Carlos Falcon’s omakase dinners, offered by reservation at his two Veracruzstyle seafood restaurants, can now enjoy a third option with this budding restaurateur’s new venture. Sayachi Sushi and Oyster Bar (6322 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. 816-437-7513) is open in a space formerly belonging to Domo, Brookside’s longtime casual sushi restaurant. Where Jarocho highlights Falcon’s Mexican cuisine, Sayachi taps into the chef’s passion for Japanese seafood and pulls from his wife and business partner, Sayaka Gushi Falcon’s, heritage. Japanese sushi chef Miyoshi Yamada mans the counter and will offer omakase dinners, where the chef determines all the courses, in addition to sashimi, nigiri, maki rolls, oysters and a selection of traditional hot Japanese dishes, including ramen bowls.
Shakin’ in Leawood
New York’s famed Shake Shack opened its second area burger spot at Leawood’s Town Center Plaza (5200 W. 119th St., Leawood, Kan. shakeshack.com) in late August. Shake Shack’s cheese fries and frozen custard deserve just as much of your attention as the burgers.
Springfield-style in the Crossroads
Until recently, if you wanted authentic Springfield-style cashew chicken — tender pieces of chicken deep-fried in peanut oil and served over rice with chopped green onions, cashews and a sweet soy sauce — you’d have to drive the nearly four hours to Springfield, Missouri. Now, thanks to Springfield restaurateur Danny Schlink, you can save a tank of gas. Schlink opened Grad School in the Crossroads (1744 Broadway Blvd. Kansas City, Mo. 816-221-0832) in a space formerly occupied by Coda Bar and Grill. In addition to famous cashew chicken (called Micah’s Chicken on the menu), Grad School offers wings, pastas, burgers and sandwiches.
Re-opened
Brookside’s Beloved Dive Back
In mid-June, Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille (12 W. 63rd St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-361-8841, charliehoopers.com) had to evacuate patrons due to a kitchen fire. Now, the beloved Brookside dive is back open and ready to serve a thirsty public. With the exception of a new grill menu, not much has changed — and thank goodness.
Vegan Burgers in the Crossroads
You may remember Pirate’s Bone as a specialty coffee shop that operated in East Brookside for four years until business partners Zaid Consuegra and Lydia Palma closed to relocate to an expanded Crossroads location. At last, Pirate’s Bone is open on Main Street in the former Brioche Pastry Shop space. Although coffee is available, the focus has shifted. Pirate’s Bone Burgers (2000 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-605-1014, piratesboneburgers.com) offers a varied menu of miniature vegan burgers with beet patties, black bean-carrot patties, a Beyond Meat option, a “chicken” option and a breakfast patty, all priced at $4.50 each. There are soy-based hot dogs, too, plus “cheesy” fries and fried plantains.
Screaming in Martin City
Summer may be over, but don’t tell that to the folks at The Scoop at Martin City (411 E. 135th St., Kansas City, Mo. thescoopkc.com). Martin City Brewing’s co-owner Matt Moore and general manager T.J. Carr planned to open their walk-up ice cream parlor in late September. Pop by for fun flavors like peanut butter and jelly and maple bacon, plus vegan ice cream sundaes and beer-flavored ice cream.
Just Announced
Get Your Game Face On
In 2017, Chicken N Pickle introduced pickleball — a paddleball sport that mashes up tennis, badminton and table tennis — to the local masses with its expansive location in North Kansas City. They’re now adding a second location at Prairiefire in Overland Park, set to open in fall 2020. The newest Chicken N Pickle will be massive, with seating for over 500 people, six indoor courts, four outdoor courts, a rooftop bar and an ice skating rink.
