Brookside restaurant back in ‘good standing’ after lawsuit from landlord in the fall

A restaurant that has been in Brookside for more than 10 years was sued by its landlord this fall.

GRI Brookside Shops LLC filed suit against Pinch LLC, doing business as Avenues Bistro, and its owner, Joe Birch, in September. GRI was seeking back rent and possession of the restaurant at the corner of Wornall Road and 63rd Street.

Per an agreement between the parties, Birch was to pay $41, 803 by mid-November and then pay his rent on time going forward, or GRI could take possession of the space. A satisfaction of judgment was filed on Dec. 6.

“Everything is paid in full and we are in good standing with the landlord,’” Birch said.

The attorney for GRI did not return phone calls.

Avenues Bistro opened in Brookside in the summer of 2006. The menu includes grilled salmon, braised short ribs, lobster ravioli, and filet burgers.

It added a lounge and event space, L’Cove, in late 2014.

Birch also operated an Avenues Bistro in Leawood’s Mission Farms for a short time before it closed in 2012.

This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 5:00 AM.