Anjin Receives National Acclaim Again and Again
A restaurant in the Crossroads continues to make a national splash.
Anjin, an izakaya-style restaurant helmed by Nick and Leslie Goellner of the Antler Room, made Kansas City proud when it was announced as a finalist in this year’s James Beard Awards Best New Restaurant category. The sake and small-plate restaurant didn’t win, but no worries: Bon Appétit named it one of the Best New Restaurants of 2026 in August. If that weren’t enough recognition, in September the New York Times listed Anjin, which opened in July last year, as one of its 50 best restaurants of 2026.
We at Kansas City magazine agree with Anjin’s acclaim. We announced the eclectic 20-seat Japanese pub as the No. 1 Best New Restaurant in KC back in January. With a small but mighty menu of Japanese-inspired eats, great sake, a lively atmosphere and great hospitality, Anjin is certainly one of the most interesting places to eat in Kansas City right now.
Longtime West Side Restaurant Closes
Blue Bird Bistro has long been a fixture of the West Side, sitting on the corner of Summit and 17th streets for the past 25 years. The farm-to-table restaurant surprised locals last month when it announced on social media that it would be closing within weeks.
The announcement stated that the restaurant had “lost our lease” and, although it was “a big change to process,” owner Jane Zieha hoped customers would continue to dine in over the next few weeks to help close its final chapter.
Blue Bird Bistro appeared in Kansas City magazine’s 2023 Best Biscuits and Gravy roundup. The restaurant’s last day of service is Oct. 15.
Morty’s Chicago Food Truck Changes Ownership
Since 2020, Brian Newton has been posting up with his Chicago food cart, Morty’s, outside a KCK strip-mall church off 43rd Street, slinging Italian beef sandwiches, depression dogs and more. Newton announced on Morty’s social media that he would be retiring due to health reasons, but not to worry: Morty’s will continue under new ownership.
The cart is now operated by Sauls Beef, a pop-up specializing in Italian beef sandwiches. Owners Mike Iammarino and Ethan Wheeler are serving a limited menu to start, including Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago dogs (hot dogs garnished with sliced onions, tomato wedges, sport peppers, celery salt, yellow mustard and a whole pickle spear), with plans to expand soon. The cart’s hours aren’t set yet, so keep up with Morty’s hours on Morty’s or Sauls Beef’s Instagrams (@mortys_kc, @saulsitalianbeef).
Pitchside Lands at Current … Again
After announcing the closing of their Crossroads brick and mortar in August, Pitchside owners and Current players (current and former) promised it wouldn’t be the end of their coffee shop. They’ve made good on that promise, moving back to where the coffee brand first started: as a pop-up trailer in the Riverfront.
Pitchside Coffee is now open full-time with its trailer parked in front of the Current Stadium, making it a great option for pre- or post-game beverages.
According to an Instagram post by Current Landing, the coffee brand is evolving “into an all-day social drink destination” and will “serve up a menu that focuses on health and wellness drinks as well as curated cocktails.”
Currently, the Pitchside menu offers espresso and matcha drinks, tea, and food from local restaurants like Luca Bagels, Buck Tui BBQ, Blackhole Bakery, Hana’s Donuts and more.
KC Restaurant Week Gets an Extra Day in 2027
Kansas City Restaurant Week is returning for its 18th year in 2027, but this time, the event is getting an extra day.
Restaurant Week typically lasts for 10 days, but next year, it will last for 11 days, from Jan. 8 to Jan. 18. This extra day will allow diners to end their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend by dining out. During Kansas City Restaurant Week, restaurants will offer multicourse menus at exclusive prices of $20, $40, $50 and $65.
Each year, participating restaurants pledge to donate 10 percent of their menu sales to three charities. Hosted by Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, the charities include the Greater KC Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Visit KC Foundation and 2027’s feature charity, Pete’s Garden.
“We are honored and grateful to be recognized as the 2027 charitable beneficiary for Kansas City Restaurant Week,” says Tamara Weber, founder and executive director of Pete’s Garden. “This recognition will help us spread the word within the community about our food recovery program and sign on more food donors as well as financial sponsors who can help keep our operations going.”
