Longtime Kansas City restaurant on Country Club Plaza to get new name, menu, management
In 1981, Far Ling “Theresa” and Bo Ng “Richard” opened Bo Lings, a Chinese restaurant at 91st Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park.
It has since grown to several Kansas City area locations, including the one many now consider its flagship, on the Country Club Plaza.
That restaurant — once located in the former Kansas City Board of Trade building, now at 4701 Jefferson St. — will soon see a revamp.
Bo and Far Ling are partnering with W. VinZant Restaurants, the group behind BRGR Kitchen + Bar, Gram and Dun, Taco Republic and other local establishments. The company will take over management of the Plaza restaurant — though not the other Bo Lings locations, which are individually owned and franchised.
The plan is to change the name of the Plaza Bo Lings to Heritage — Asian American Fusion. The menu will change, too, incorporating more modern offerings alongside Bo Lings’ classic staples and dim sum.
“We will retain the popular dishes guests enjoy while introducing new high-quality items such as steamed whole turbot served tableside, fresh lobster pad thai, Asian braised short rib, and wood-fired steaks with house aged Asian serving sauces,” Far Ling said.
CEO Whitney VinZant said he met Bo at a 2022 wedding and soon struck up a friendship with him and Far Ling. VinZant started spending more time at Bo Lings and was intrigued by the staff meals they served.
“I recognized Bo and Far Ling regularly were making dishes for the kitchen that utilized a wider range of ingredients, flavors and methods, and this food was intoxicating,” VinZant said. “I asked Bo and Far Ling, why don’t you serve these items to guests?”
The restaurant will be renovated into Heritage in phases over the next year, with no construction-related closings planned. The redesign will feature hardwoods, rich textures, barrel ceilings, hand painted murals, and a room inspired by sake and Asian whiskey, VinZant said.
