Married couple, trained as Las Vegas chefs, to open restaurant where KC tapas spot closed
Josh and Kelly Bianchi have spent the past 17 years working in the culinary industry in Las Vegas.
He was the opening executive chef at Vetri (at the Palms Casino Resort) and Drai’s (at The Cromwell); she has worked for the better part of the last decade as the executive chef for the catering and special events program at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Kelly Bianchi is from Kansas City originally, though, and recently the couple moved back.
Soon, they’ll open a restaurant near Liberty, in the space at 9261 N.E. 83rd Terrace formerly occupied by Trago Bar & Tapas, which closed in July.
“We’re calling it Osteria Bianchi, and it’ll be a traditional Italian concept with some modern American influences,” Kelly Bianchi said. “It’s not fine dining. It’s more of an upscale casual thing.”
Dishes planned include a tonnarelli cacio e pepe pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and a pork trio (braised pork belly, roasted pork loin and crispy carnitas) served with spaetzle and red wine-braised cabbage.
They hope to open in early 2024.
“We picked the Liberty area because we live here and saw a need for a well-done, neighborhood Italian restaurant,” she said. “It’s a tight-knit community and everyone’s been very supportive so far.”
