New KC Mexican restaurant opening downtown, in this former eatery
More than a year after upscale restaurant Charisse closed, something new is poised to take its place.
Mexican restaurant Añejo is moving into the spot, 1006 Walnut St. in the Commerce Bank Building, with the hopes of serving customers by May 25.
Añejo has two existing restaurants in the Kansas City metro, with its others in Zona Rosa at 8600 NW Prairie View Road and in Tanger Kansas City at the Legends at 1700 Village West Parkway. Its Olathe spot, 16411 W. 119th St., is now closed.
On the downtown restaurant’s menu: the “famous” Añejo burrito, enchiladas, street tacos, carne asada dip, steak fajitas and other Tex-Mex items.
“Great service, great margaritas,” assistant manager Victor Terrazas told The Star. “We have a big selection of margaritas.”
Indeed, the more than a dozen margarita flavors include peach, raspberry, mango, watermelon, passion fruit and green apple.
Terrazas said the group is eager to be in the middle of the World Cup excitement.
“We’re pretty excited to open it,” he said. “Ready to … welcome everybody.”
Angel Martin Ortiz is the owner of the concept, which first opened in Olathe late 2021.
The new spot will look and operate similar to its existing locations, though the team plans to launch a specialty line of Añejo tequila soon. It will immediately serve the tequila at the downtown and Zona Rosa spots. The KCK location hopes to pour the spirit eventually, though they have to weed through liquor licensing first.
As for Charisse, the concept, owned by chef Jason Craine, operated out of the space for 10 years.
What started as a satellite dining spot for French restaurant Aixois became its own concept, and Craine focused on American food like salmon, grilled ribeye and more.
Guests found out about the closure via a sign on the door.
“After many wonderful years of serving our amazing guests, we are closing the door on this chapter of our lives,” the note read “It has been an honor to serve you, and we will miss you all. Sorry for the temporary inconvenience while a new spot is envisioned.”