Lately, I've written a lot about Bluestem. The fine-dining restaurant just celebrated its fifth anniversary and last week owner Colby Garrelts was announced as a finalist for a James Beard Award. Even with all the accolades in the world, though, the restaurant's high prices keep some people away. "That's why we created the lounge," Garrelts told me.
Bluestem's lounge is connected to the main dining area and offers its own lower-priced menu. This isn't normal bar food, but food made from premium-quality ingredients and an everything-made-from-scratch mentality that even extends to the ketchup.
The prices are slightly higher than a sport's bar but not by much. Seasoned popcorn with a hint of curry and covered in Parmesan cheese is $3. Honey-roasted nuts slightly spiced with cayenne pepper are $5. House-cut string French fries covered in a light truffle oil and herbs: $5. Tartare makes a rare appearance on a contemporary menu, with Bluestem making its version from wagyu beef; it sells for $10. The most popular item on the lounge menu is the Kobe Burger served with a choice of cheese, crispy onions and truffle fries. "Everybody else was doing a burger and so we wanted to do our take," Garrelts said. It will likely change way you look at bar burgers. It costs $14.
Those are the normal lounge prices but here is the best part.
Every Tuesday through Friday, Bluestem's lounge has a happy hour from 5 to
7 p.m., with all menu items half-off. That's a Kobe
burger with truffle fries and a side of popcorn for under $10. Or a six-course fine cheese tasting menu for
only $9.
The drink specials include $7 martinis and 20
wines for under $26. I agree that's still some expensive drinking, but
you don't have to get a martini (though they are worth it). Just get
a beer and enjoy a fine meal.
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Don't diss the Quick Trip #197. That was my grandfather's favorite high-end place. The hot dogs there were left out until they were just right.
I agree totally about the cheese plate and have heard good things about the olives too. It's a shame though with all the good wine they have they don't do more by the glass or a wine-flight now and then.
It's OK to talk about Bluestem quite a bit. It's a good place. One thing I was interested to read was that they were one of the few "higher end" joints that got the KCMO health department's grade A food excellence award or whatever it's called for 2008:
http://www.kcmo.org/health.nsf...
I guess it takes a James Beard Award finalist to measure up to the quality offered in other establishments like the deli at Quick Trip #197.
I'm putting the $9 cheese plate on my short list to try next.
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