The Kansas City Restaurant Association named Mikita Burton (@allthingsmikita) its 2025 Influencer of the Year at its annual banquet in early January. The award honors creators who celebrate the city’s restaurant community. Burton, an early “mommy blogger” who once focused on kid-friendly KC activities, has evolved her content alongside evolving platforms and now highlights date-night destinations and hidden gems. She credits Kansas City’s accessible, welcoming food scene for inspiring her work.
Fusion Fare
Robin Krause, the creator of Billie’s Grocery, is opening Casa, a Mexican-inspired restaurant with Asian and Mediterranean influences, in the former Salty Iguana space at Corinth Square (8228 Mission Road, Prairie Village). The new concept aims to blend bold flavors with health-forward, nutrient-rich ingredients, focusing on locally sourced meat and produce. “Expect chiles, smoke, charred vegetables, layered salsas and sauce-forward dishes,” reads the media release. “Bold, vibrant food that feels indulgent—not restrictive.”…