JoyceKC’s notebook for Aug. 22: Kansas City restaurant updates

Here’s a look at developing restaurant stories from across the metro.

Did one investor pull out of two planned restaurants?

Ken Dworak is listed as a 50 percent partner with chef Debbie Gold in a restaurant that was to be called Alchemy. Alchemy wanted to take the former Accurso’s space at 4980 Main St. But now Prime Sushi has signed a lease for that spot and is scheduled to open before Thanksgiving.

The owners of Smithville’s Justus Drugstore restaurant also had Dworak listed as a 50 percent partner in their Black Dirt, which is in negotiations to open at 5070 Main St.

But in mid-July, Jonathan Justus said his funding partner was no longer involved in Black Dirt.

“We decided to go another direction and we are courting potential investors,” Justus said last month. “We have a great relationship with VanTrust and hope we can put a deal together for this great space that they have built.”

Justus declined further comment this week. Dworak and Gold did not return phone calls.

51 Main, where Black Dirt is located, is a mixed-use project that consists of 176 luxury apartments with about 8,400 square feet of retail on the first floor. No leases have been signed for the retail spaces.

When is Doughnut Lounge opening in Westport?

Owner Jake Randall was waiting on his permits and started construction on the space at 4117 Pennsylvania Ave. earlier this week. He hopes to open Doughnut Lounge by Thanksgiving.

Doughnut Lounge will have classic donuts as well as more artisan offerings and wine.

What is taking so long on the repairs at Michael Forbes in Brookside?

Michael Forbes Bar & Grille, a popular Brookside restaurant, closed in April to make repairs after a fire in the basement.

Owner Forbes Cross said he is scheduling a Sept. 21 reopening. The restaurant and bar at 128 W. 63rd St. will have new booths and light fixtures. Cross took up the dining room carpet and will feature the original tile floor, he said; the space first shows up in the 1925 city directory as a restaurant. The ceiling also will be about 3 feet higher.

Any update on the locations and opening dates for Grimaldi’s and Gus’ Fried Chicken?

Both plan November openings — Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria in Prairiefire, 5601 W. 135th St., Suite 2240, Overland Park, and Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in the new NorthWood Shopping Center at 2816 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "JoyceKC’s notebook for Aug. 22: Kansas City restaurant updates."