A new Italian restaurant is coming to Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza
Summit Hospitality — the group behind Summit Grill, Third Street Social and other local concepts — is launching a new Italian restaurant on the Country Club Plaza.
The group announced in a media release Wednesday that the new concept, called Vertice Italian, will open at 616 Ward Parkway, in the former Parkway Social Kitchen space.
There, visitors can enjoy a “refined yet approachable” selection of handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, according to the release. Vertice also plans a full cocktail menu and curated wine list for the space.
The restaurant plans a 2026 opening. “Vertice” is Italian for “peak” or “summit.”
“Vertice is a culmination of our passion for creating memorable dining experiences,” Domhnall Molloy, Owner of Summit Hospitality Group, said in a statement. “This concept allows our chefs to showcase their craftsmanship while offering guests something that feels both timeless and fresh.”
The group said it’s been using its recently closed taqueria, South of Summit, as a test kitchen. They did not indicate what’s next for the Waldo space.
In January, longtime Italian restaurant Brio closed at 502 Nichols Road.
Another restaurant, Buca di Beppo, is still open at 310 W. 47th St.
The new addition comes as the Plaza tries to find its footing under new ownership, which promised to bring new life to the 102-year-old Spanish-styled shopping district, including bringing in more local restaurants.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM.