New Tuscan sandwich spot with Italian cocktails, wine window opening in KC
A Kansas City winemaker is opening a Florence, Italy, inspired Tuscan sandwich shop and bar this summer.
Joe Amigoni owner of Panino Divino, is also the winemaker at Amigoni Urban Winery, the family business started by his parents, Kerry and Michael Amigoni, in the West Bottoms. The new sandwich shop will be at the old Gilhouly’s, 1721 W. 39th St.
Panino Divino has been in the works for about two years, according to Joe Amigoni, who thought a spot by the University of Kansas Hospital would be perfect, adding his initiative to give discounts to healthcare workers.
“I think it’s something that could thrive on 39th Street,” he said.
Panino Divino will also feature a spritz bar, other Italian cocktails and a wine window, inspired by bars Joe Amigoni saw in Florence.
“You can ring a bell, order straight from the bartender right there; a wine, a spritz and drink it right on the patio or take it inside,” he said.
Amigoni’s family got an apartment near Florence in 2020 and began visiting a couple of times a year. It was during those trips that Joe Amigoni got hooked on the Italian street sandwiches.
“It’s like my favorite type of sandwich I’ve ever had,” he said. “ I kind of started getting in more of the entrepreneurship mindset and tried to start a place in Kansas City.”
The street-inspired sandwiches at Panino Divino will feature a made-in-house Tuscan flat bread called schiacciata. It is similar to focaccia, but is a thinner bread that makes an excellent vehicle for sandwich toppings.
“One of our sandwiches will include, prosciutto, pecorino cream, truffle, honey and arugula. That’s a great example of what the Tuscan sandwich vibes are that we’re trying to bring to Kansas City,” Joe Amigoni said.
Though the menu has yet to be finalized, sandwich prices are expected to range from around $13 to $17, according to Joe Amigoni. Though an exact date has yet to be announced, it’s expected to open in July.
