Today marks the grand-opening of Chaz in the Raphael Hotel. Six weeks ago Chaz was known by the name Raphael Restaurant, but that was before a complete overhaul of the interior and menu. Chaz is located on a lower level of the hotel and has its own entrance on the west side.
I can't claim to be too familiar with the the Raphael Restaurant, though it always seemed stuffy. Even though I was the only male not in a suit yesterday, Chaz never felt stuffy. Actually, it felt airy. That's because mirrors have been strategically placed to point towards windows, the goal being to give every table a view of the Plaza, even if not directly.
Co-Manager Jason Mayo said that although the restaurant has been closed since December, regular customers couldn't stay away for two months,
"A lot of the regulars have been sneaking in. They want to make sure
that the changes meet their approval. That the table they've been
sitting at for years would still be recognizable. So many people make
memories in this restaurant and we're still here for them."
biggest physical changes were in the bar area. Gone is the
grand piano and in is a cork floor for dancing. In addition, the bar
wall is lined with a mural made up of shots of the Raphael from
hundreds of different angles. "It's more a music room than a bar," Mayo said of the effort to create a lively space. "We've got Max Groove on Wednesdays
and Friday nights, on Tuesdays we'll have singer/songwriters who
haven't broken into the scene yet. We're going to have pop, contemporary,
classic and jazz, and from 5 to 7 p,m, every weekday is a lounge menu and
appetizers."
Yes, the menu. Executive chef Peter Hahn has been
with the Raphael for nearly two decades, and favorites like rack of lamb
($34) and seared duckling breast ($25) are still on the new menu. In
all, there's a more comfort-food approach with a local spin like the
pork chop that is served with Missouri mushrooms ($22), a bison ribeye
steak ($28) and a Kansas City cassoulet ($23). Sides include
lobster-Bourshin mashed potatoes ($7), homemade kettle blue chips in
blue cheese sauce ($5) and mac & cheese ($5). Five of the eight
starters are seafood, such as steamed pei mussels ($10), seared tuna
escabeche ($11) and lobster tail tempura ($18).
Breakfast is Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 10 a.m., Saturday from
7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is Monday
through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is Monday through
Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11
p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, Chaz Lounge is open
Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
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Entertainment Available.
Merideth Kaye Clark
http://meridethkayeclark.com/p...
and
Jenn Grinnels
http://jenngrinels.com/
are on tour.
They are currently in Kansas City (and will be here until next Tuesday.
They currently staying at Merideth's parents who are KC residents (They live at the Hemingway condos, 2 doors to your east).
For a minimal booking fee they would be able to do a hapy hour or 2 for you during the next week.
Any interest?
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