After closing in Brookside, Avenues Bistro opens a spot for carryout, delivery only

Earlier this week, Avenues Bistro confirmed that it would be closing for good in Brookside.

Now the owner and chef, Joe Birch, said he has relocated the operation to his bakery at 3102 S. 24th St., Kansas City, Kansas, and will continue to offer weekly specials for curbside pickup and delivery.

For example, Saturday’s Surf & Turf Dinner will have an 8-ounce petit KC strip — shrimp scampi-style — house salad, baked potato with sour cream and butter, and almond cake, $16 for one person, $30 for two. Sunday is German Night with Wiener schnitzel, braised red cabbage and balsamic beets, and apple strudel for the same prices.

Avenues had operated in Brookside for nearly 15 years. It also had a short stint with a second location in Leawood’s Mission Farms.

But its Brookside landlord has twice filed suit since mid-2019 for back rent and possession of the space.

In a recent email to customers, Birch said the COVID-19 crisis has been “incredibly challenging for all of us. The people that have been lost, long-time successful businesses closed, changes and new restrictions in the way we have been doing things our entire lives. … Avenues in Brookside has certainly been affected as well.”

When the pandemic hit Kansas City in March and mandates were put in place to limit indoor dining, Avenues Bistro pivoted to a carryout-only operation. This week, Birch and his Brookside landlord announced the closing of the Brookside location.

Birch said he will operate out of the bakery facility until he finds a permanent spot.