V’s Italiano Restaurante turns 50 years old

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Fifty years ago, when Kansas City residents could tear themselves away from the three networks on TV (Petticoat Junction and The Fugitive both premiered in 1963) to go out for a little cibo Italiano, the choices included Italian Gardens downtown, Jasper’s in south Kansas City, Villa Capri in Overland Park and V’s Italiano Restaurante on Highway 40. V’s was named for Vita Totta, who opened the tiny restaurant with her husband, Jay; the original place (three blocks from the current location) only had a seven-stool counter, three tables and four booths.

“And a much more limited menu,” says Greg Hunsucker, the current president of V’s who has worked at the restaurant, beginning as a 13-year-old busboy, since 1974. Hunsucker later married the Tottas’ daughter, Mary. “I’m Italian by osmosis.”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Italian restaurant, Greg and Mary Hunsucker are featuring monthly specials from now until October, the actual anniversary month of the trattoria, which is now much bigger and fancier than the first location. The January special, offered every day of the week, is a good one – I’ve had it myself! – a four-course dinner for two for $19.63. The meal features a toasted-ravioli appetizer, two salads, and two pasta dinners with a choice of meat sauce or meatballs or meatless marinara sauce, and two slices of the restaurant’s signature rum cake for dessert.