Review: The American Bowman Restaurant

The American Bowman Restaurant

500 Welt Street, Weston, MO 64098.Full menu

This quaint restaurant is a staple for our family whenever we visit Weston, MO. It is part of the Weston Brewing Company, which also includes O'Malley's Pub. I first ate here the night of my engagement (although I didn't know then that I was soon to be proposed to onstage in O'Malley's Pub). And I've been coming back whenever I can since that first perfect dinner.

The restaurant is situated inside a charming, rustic late nineteenth-century building that has been built onto O'Malley's, and the interior atmosphere can perhaps be best described as "old farmhouse romantic". Lit candles and kerosene lamps grace the rough-hewn tables, and the popular folk artist Bob Reeder often serenades each table with traditional Irish ballads.

The base of America Bowman Restaurant's menu is traditional Irish fare. From Bangers and Mash to Ham and Cheese Pye, all of their dishes taste better than the typical "Irish-themed" chain restaurant's overly pretentious menu options, in my opinion anyway. At the America Bowman, you feel you've stepped back in time and are savoring your Irish mam's hearty home cooking. And no meal here should be enjoyed without sampling their famous Cheddar & Ale Soup! Seriously, this is the best cheddar ale soup I've ever tasted--and everyone we take here agrees hands down. It is spicy, thick, and filled with wholesome veggies and, of course, tons of cheddar and their house-brewed ale.

They even have a children's menu, which is another reason why we love this place. Even my picky-eater niece chows down and cleans her plate each time we come here. And may I add, their french fries are kid-approved as well: natural-cut crispy skinny fries with just a hint of seasoning.

But let's not forget that Irish dinner staple: the beer! You can sample any of the Weston Brewing Co.'s brews with your meal--what better way to wash down your Fish & Chips? My husband loves the Beer Flight Sampler. For a reasonable price you can sample 6 different beers from the Weston Brewery line. My husband usually pairs his Beer Flight with the Beef In Stout (tender beef sirloin and onions in a Gaelic sauce served up hot with colcannon potatoes and a pub roll).

Yes, the America Bowman Restaurant is rustic in flavor and atmosphere, but that is the reason why this restaurant appeals to so many, whether you are dining with the family or enjoying a parents' night out.

America Bowman Restaurant is open 7 days a week, 11:30am-9pm. For private party, group, and tour group menus, call: 816-640-5235

Written by Margaret Bristow:

Greetings, fellow KC parents!

I am a mom who is passionate about our thriving metropolis. I love all that Kansas City has to offer, especially its diverse, flavorful, and often unique cuisine. I'm always on the hunt for new and exciting culinary adventures in the Greater Kansas City area and beyond. And I'm always excited when I find a new "favorite place". The journey there is thrilling, I'm always up to trying new (and established) places I haven't yet discovered. Kansas City has more to offer than just BBQ (shh, don't tell that to my husband), although I take pride in that being one of our specialties. Every city should have a famous epicurean past to help pave the way for an exciting future. There's a reason that Kansas City was recently named one of Budget Travel's top destinations: what was once a booming cowtown is now an acclaimed center for art, culture, and cuisine.

And since I have become a wife and mother, I most appreciate those restaurants or companies that each member of my family can enjoy. Whether it is a kid-friendly restaurant or a place where my husband and I can relax on a date night, I know it can be found right here in Kansas City.

~ Margaret Bristow