Kansas City fine-dining spot calls off planned sale to local restaurant group
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room is no longer being acquired by W. VinZant Restaurants, despite an August announcement that the acclaimed Kansas City restaurant would join the growing portfolio of restaurateur Whitney VinZant.
In a message sent to staff last week, co-owners Michael and Christina Corvino said they decided to walk away from the deal, citing VinZant’s “inability to uphold their original commitments.”
“We cannot lower our standards or ethics no matter what,” the Corvinos wrote. “We apologize for the inconvenience or anxiety it may have caused you, as we had put months into plans to avoid that.”
The Crossroads restaurant (1830 Walnut St.) will remain open as the Corvinos look into “future opportunities to find a better fit for the next chapter,” the owners added.
“The doors aren’t closing. For the time being, it’s business as usual.”
The Corvinos did not respond to a request for comment.
VinZant told The Star in an email, “We think Corvino is a terrific restaurant and hope the restaurant has continued success!”
The reversal ends months of speculation about the future of one of Kansas City’s most celebrated fine-dining spots. Since opening in 2017 in Corrigan Station, Corvino Supper Club has been an anchor of Kansas City’s fine-dining revival, its elegant, seasonally driven menus earning chef Michael Corvino multiple James Beard Award nominations.
The partnership, announced this summer, was presented as a union of Corvino’s culinary vision and VinZant’s business expertise.
VinZant, a Kansas City native, has expanded aggressively in recent years, adding BRGR Kitchen & Bar, Gram & Dun, Taco Republic, Heritage by Bo Lings, Waldo Pizza, Merchants Pub & Plate, and, most recently, Café Trio to his portfolio.
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
