Empanadas and paella: New Johnson County Argentine restaurant to be ‘a destination’
French chandeliers, red velvet couches, scratch-made empanadas: Claudia Luna aims for her restaurant in downtown Shawnee to be “a destination.”
Buenos Aires Restaurante, which will open on Aug. 17 at 10919 Johnson Drive, will be an upscale Argentine spot for romantic dinners and dressed-up nights with friends.
“It’s going to be a place to be,” Luna said. “A place to just relax and chill … meet people and experience other cultures.”
While much of Argentina’s cuisine is heavily influenced by European dishes, Luna has also integrated her Spanish and Italian ancestry into the menu.
She plans to serve asado (Argentine barbecue), as well as pasta, pizza and, of course, pastries covered in dulce de leche.
“It’s going to be kind of like going on a trip to Europe or Buenos Aires,” Luna said.
To perfect dishes like her paella, Luna calls upon her 20 years of experience as a caterer, five of which have been in the U.S. But her culinary expertise stretches back even further.
Luna grew up helping her father at his restaurants in Argentina. He’s since died, but Luna hopes to carry the torch.
Aside from being in the kitchen, Luna said she’s most looking forward to connecting with her customers.
“I like to meet people and to talk to them, and to tell them stories and make them happy,” she said.
Luna’s vision for the restaurant includes community events: karaoke nights and comedy specials. She even hopes to teach tango, Spanish, Russian and Italian lessons.
Every afternoon at 4 p.m., Luna will serve traditional English tea with scones and sandwiches. She promised a separate “Alice in Wonderland”-type experience for children during tea time.
Her catering business — Claudia Luna Catering — will merge with her restaurant after it opens. She’ll continue to serve her beloved dishes at events around the area, just under the Buenos Aires name.
Luna joins a plethora of successful businesses in downtown Shawnee.
She neighbors Servaes Brewing Co. and is near Wild Child cocktail bar, which was named one of the best new bars in the country by Vox-owned drinking publication Punch, in November.
James Beard Award finalist Drastic Measures is also nearby. And soon, a Spanish-style tapas restaurant called Gilda’s will open at 5815 Nieman Road.
Owner Bryan Albers had hoped to open his tapas restaurant this summer. An updated opening date was not immediately available Friday afternoon.
Buenos Aires Restaurante will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
