Cityscape

Johnson County Italian restaurant ‘permanently closed’ after two decades

The restaurant was known as Bravo Cucina Italiana when it opened in 2003, with tiled floors, textured walls and faux columns designed to replicate the ruins of a Roman temple.
The restaurant was known as Bravo Cucina Italiana when it opened in 2003, with tiled floors, textured walls and faux columns designed to replicate the ruins of a Roman temple. cochsner@kcstar.com

After 20 years of operations, Bravo Italian Kitchen has closed in Leawood’s Town Center Plaza.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the shopping center said: “As for the permanent closing of Bravo Italian Kitchen, it provides an opportunity to bring new tenants to Town Center Plaza. Our leasing team is in discussions with potential new tenants to fill the space and we will announce plans when we are able.”

She said it closed March 5.

Bravo corporate officials couldn’t be reached for comment. A phone message for the Leawood restaurant says, “This location is permanently closed.” It is no longer listed on the company’s website.

Bravo had operated in Leawood’s Town Center Plaza for two decades.
Bravo had operated in Leawood’s Town Center Plaza for two decades. File photo

The Bravo in Zona Rosa is still in operation, as well as sister restaurant Brio Italian Grille on the Country Club Plaza.

The Leawood Bravo, at 5005 W. 117th St., opened as Bravo Cucina Italiana in April 2003. It closed temporarily when the pandemic began, then reopened in late 2020 under new owners and a slightly new name.

But it had competition from the new, locally owned Plate Italiano Moderno in Park Place, just to the north. Nico & Ana’s Italian Street Food also recently opened nearby in Overland Park.

In other Town Center Plaza updates:

In mid-2020, a Chicago-based fitness center focusing on rock climbing, First Ascent Climbing & Fitness, announced plans to open a 25,000-square-foot center in the shopping center. The pandemic pushed the opening back. Officials said Tuesday morning that they still planned to open there.

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This story was originally published March 14, 2023 at 10:31 AM.

JS
Joyce Smith
The Kansas City Star
Joyce Smith covered restaurant and retail news for The Star from 1989 to 2023.
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