Nick and Leslie Goellner began pioneering modern cuisine in KC when their restaurant The Antler Room opened in 2016. Now, the couple is planning a new spot in the Crossroads – Anjin, a casual “cool neighborhood restaurant” inspired by their travels to Japan.
“It’s going to be like if you took The Antler Room and plopped it in Tokyo,” says Leslie, who helms the bar program at Antler Room.
The Goellners hope to have Anjin open by spring (1708 Oak St, KCMO). Drew Little, The Antler Room’s current bar manager, is also an owner.
Anjin will embrace Japan’s izakaya culture. Izakaya are casual neighborhood pubs where locals enjoy small bites while drinking sake. (“Izakaya” means “food that you eat while drinking” in Japanese.)
Anjin’s 20-seat space will be kept casual, featuring a U-shaped counter-height bar that surrounds the kitchen. Everything will be on display.
Sake will compose the bulk of the bar program but a few cocktails and beer will also make appearances. Handmade udon noodles, yakitori and onigiri are some of the food menu items customers can expect along with many rotating specialty dishes.
While the food will be inspired by Japan, the Goellners are leaving room on the menu for their own personal touches.
“On its surface, the food is going to read as Japanese, but who knows where it will go,” says Nick.
When asked his thoughts on the recent wave of Japanese-inspired restaurant openings, Nick says there’s a benefit to understanding Japanese cuisine.
“If the dining public in KC is gaining more of an appreciation for Japanese food, then it’s going to help the food scene at large for years to come,” says Nick. “Japanese food is one of the most important cuisines in the world and a deeper understanding of it will make people’s appreciation of food really grow.”
The Antler Room was one of our 30 Best Restaurants in KC Right Now.
