Gastropubs in KC
In the ever-changing and innovative world of gourmet food and drink, a new and trendy sensation is taking America by storm: the gastropub. What exactly is a gastropub? It is a combination of the best of both worlds: specialty chef-created dishes that complement the popular explosion of craft beers. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the gastropub as “a pub, bar or tavern that offers meals of high quality.” All major cities, like New York, now abound with many options when it comes to choosing a gastropub destination. Lucky for us, Kansas City is one of the many metropolises to offer a variety of delightful culinary/brew combinations.
Here is just a small sampling of gastropub options in greater Kansas City:
The Standard Pour
First off, the food here is amazing. Seriously, I can’t rave about it enough. For a starter, try the soft pretzel. Now ubiquitous, the Standard Pour’s pretzels are the best I’ve ever had, hands down. The white queso dip comes with house-made pale ale mustard, uniquely squiggled on top. The combination with warm, fluffy salted pretzels is so satisfying. For an entrée, try the Bolt, a thick, crunchy sandwich loaded with bacon and tomatoes. And as far as brews go, Standard Pour has a nice selection of draft beers, as well as craft bottles and cans. KC Bier Company’s Hefeweizen is on tap and is very refreshing on a warm autumn’s day. 1511 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO 64111, 816.531.7687. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11:00 a.m.-1:30 a.m.; Kitchen Hours: Mon.-Thu., 11:00-10:00, and Fri.-Sat., 11:00-11:00.
Blvd. Tavern
The Blvd. Tavern is a hip, eclectic, newer offering on Southwest Boulevard. The atmosphere is casual but intimate—a cozy French farmhouse comes to mind. And the culinary dishes and drink selections don’t disappoint. A great small plate is their poutine, French for a dish of “fries, beef gravy, cheddar cheese curds and parsley” that originated in Quebec. Does life get any better than a bowl full of potatoes, cheese and gravy?! A nice dinner entrée at the Blvd. Tavern is their version of an American staple, the burger. Their daily grind burger (Swiss, red wine shallot jam and peppercorn mayo) is definitely worth sampling. Top it all off with one of Blvd.’s ciders—they have a nice selection, like Sonoma’s the Hatchet Apple Cider. 320 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108, 816.421.1023. Dining Room Hours: Tue.-Fri. lunch, 11:00-2:30; Tue.-Thu. dinner, 5:00-10:00; Fri.-Sat. dinner, 5:00-11:00; Sun. brunch, 10:00-2:30; Sun. dinner, 5:00-10:00. Bar Hours: Tue.-Thu., 11:00 a.m.-Midnight; Fri., 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.; Sat., 2:00-1:00; Sun., 10:00 a.m.-Midnight.
The Westside Local
What are you doing this Sunday? Hopefully, you already have made your reservation for “blunch” at the Westside Local. If you haven’t, get on the phone right now and do so—you won’t be disappointed! This gastropub, nestled between boutique shops and other restaurants, doubles as the perfect place to brunch (called blunch at the Westside Local) on Sundays. Everything on this special menu is drool-worthy, but a good place to start is with the Almond French Toast. The farm-to-market sourdough bread used in this dish is the pièce de ré·sis·tance, making it so mouthwatering, then slivers of almonds, thick cream and raspberries are added to this decadent breakfast. Another great dish is the Avocado Plank, which comes with a perfectly poached egg and a generous amount of avocado atop farm-to-market Italian wheat bread, along with breakfast potatoes and brown sugar bacon. Need I say more? On any given evening, the Beer Garden or pub is where “fresh beer meets local fare” and is the perfect place to enjoy one of the beverages on tap: the Torn Label “House Brew” Coffee Wheat Stout is out of this world. 1663 Summit St., Kansas City, MO 64108, 816.997.9089. Hours: Tue.-Thu., 11:00-9:00; Fri.-Sat., 11:00-10:00; Sun. brunch, 11:00-3:00 and regular menu, 5:00-9:00; Tue.-Sat. limited menu, 3:00-5:00.
Craft & Draft
Did you know there is a gastropub at the K? Well, there is! It’s a new offering at Kauffman Stadium for 2015, where you can find grub and suds beyond the usual ballpark fare. You can sample one of their craft plates, like the popular potato puffs (artisanal tater tots) or the hoisin glazed pork belly sandwich with sriracha sauce. They also serve made-to-order craft pizzas, and their beer list is quite extensive (with better price ranges and selections than in the rest of the stadium). Best of all is the view of the game while enjoying your gourmet meal and drink—the dining seats look out over third base! http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/ticketing/craftanddraft.jsp
Martin City Brewery
This little brewery in Martin City, MO, is big on the local pub scene! There are two options to choose from: the Pub or the Pizza & Taproom. The Pub is located in a quaint 100-year-old building and has more than 50 beers on the menu. The Pizza & Taproom is fun, with a signature train décor theme and an amazing menu of top-notch chef creations. The blanco (white) pizza is not to be missed. All of the Martin City brews are fantastic; the trouble will be choosing which one to try. 500 E. 135th St., Kansas City, MO 64145, 816.268.2222. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11:00 a.m.-1:30 a.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.-Midnight
Margaret Bristow is a Kansas City native always on the search for the best new dishes on local menus.