After a successful soft opening this weekend, Brookside's new Julian (6227 Brookside Plaza) is up and open for all comers to check out food "that won't break the bank, monetarily or calorically," according to Chef Celina Tio.
"I wanted to create a restaurant that I would want to eat at. It needed to have the right price point, a chef-driven menu, and as many local products as possible," says Tio.
The dinner menu reflects that. Starters range from "green eggs & ham," a soft yolk in a spinach flan with prosciutto toast ($6), to house-smoked trout and potato chive pancakes ($8). Three sandwich choices are led by the "b.e.l.t." -- bacon, egg, lettuce and tapenade mayo with fries ($9).
Dinner could be a four-hour braised shorts ribs "pot roast" ($15) or fish "tacos" with egg, cliantro, lime and spanish rice ($14). Boulevard Pale Ale macaroni and cheese with broccoli is $10, and sides -- cheesy grits, cheesy broccoli, onion rings -- are $4.
Tio also wants diners to know that she hopes to keep vegetarians happy by offering substitutions of tofu or housemade saiten. If you've followed her career from her time at The American, you'll be pleased to see one of her signature dishes -- the lobster "shepherd's pie," ($22) is on the menu, too.
She also expects to do well with a line of mini desserts ($4), including baked chocolate puddin' with a giner donut, grilled pound cake with caramel apples and sea salt, and organic squash cheesecake with its very own brittle.
The space, formerly Joe D's Wine Bar, has been transformed with modular, modern furniture and several coats of white paint. In the back dining room, a counter that seats four will have a direct view into the kitchen and a prep station on the other side of an alcove.
While Tio has found the Brookside neighborhood to "be very eager and
supportive," she's also turning to her neighbors for many of the
ingredients on the menu -- using only Shatto milk, Campo Lindo Farms
chicken and Boulevard Beer.
"We're only serving Boulevard Beer here. It's what I like and it's local. It was an easy decision," says Tio.
Julian will also be serving breakfast on the weekends, hoping to find success in between the established brunch crowds at Avenues Bistro and Sharp's.
"I'm sure Sharp's will still have a line out the door. Hopefully we can help bring more people to the neighborhood," says Tio. She's sharing with Sharp's in more ways than one. Julian
opens with a staff of 20, and watchful diners might catch some of their
favorite servers from Sharp's pulling double duty.
Those of you who want to keep up with Tio yourselves can find her on Twitter (@juliankc), where she plans to let people know when a table
might be opening up or what's being featured at the Sunday Night family
meals.
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Food was comparable to McDonalds. Should have saved my 38 dollars and bought a happy meal. I have yet to find a dining establishment this pathetic in KC.
My husband has had throat cancer. His salavary glads were remeoved so VERY limited saliva. Do you have soups at dinner. Shepards Pie he can tolerate with a LOT of gravy. Would this be available on a Friday night?
We had dinner at Julians last night and it was wonderful. The food was great and the service impeccable. I will highly recommend Julians to my friends...it is so nice to have this restaurant in the neighborhood! We will be back...thanks!
We arrived with party of six on a Friday night. The food was great,the service was great,however,dinner conversation was impossible due to the terrible acoustics. My friends said that they would never return. I would love to see you succeed.Please fixs the problem.
Marilyn Frederick
Scooby ... you are arrogant. Celina holds a Bachelors in Hospitality disciplines and has worked her way up through the restaurant industry since she was 15. Given her successful endeavors at a number of fine restaurants (i.e. Disney Resorts and The American KC) ... she obviously has something going for her. I have had the pleasure of dining with her a number of times at The American and her feel for the midwest palate is dead on. Calling her a brat is juvenile .. if you knew her, you would know how far off you are. I wish her the very best with "Julian" and know she will continue as always in her endeavors to please her customers.
Hope this place falls flat on its face.
Celina is a arrogant brat with no formal training...BRAT
But the noise level is not her fault.
But the fault of her dumb ass guests who feel they must yell even though the person they are talking to is 3 feet away.
My husband and I had dinner here Friday night and it was wonderful! I almost don't want to share in fear of not getting in once the word is out. I had lobster pot pie and my husband had crispy pork shoulder with mashed sweets and marshmallow and both were excellent. Servings are not huge but moderately priced. We both had dessert of pound cake and squash cheesecake.
Think some of previous postings are DEFINITELY JERKS!!!! I'm glad I won't be seeing you there - more room and food for us.
we need your phone number so we can make a reservation for friday night. we have been there and the food and service are excellent. The noise level does need to be addressed but I am confident that will be a non issue in the future. Thank you for bringing another fine dining experience to Brookdside.
Tim -
parties of 8 make the waitress and establishment a lot of money.
#1 Bristol is terrible
#2 What the h is 'priority seating'
#3 Did I miss the info that we aren't allowed to have more than 3 friends if we live on the Missouri side?
Hi, zmann,
Yes, I was surprised the hostess did not say, "gee, it would be easier to seat you if you came earlier" or "you're welcome to come and wait" (which we would have) or any such thing - she just said they couldn't accomodate our group. We enjoyed Lill's very much and Trell, the owner, took very good care of our group.
Tim, very nice manners - I live in Brookside as do the other 7 members of my party. Relax and have a great day!
What rude assholes take a party of 8 to dinner?
Stay in JOCO and go to the Bristol.
SP,
We had a table for 8 and although we had to wait 30 minutes at the bar (drank excellent wine) we eventually got our table....for eight. Must have been timing. Try again.
I'm just curious why everyone is getting irritated about the "priority seating" its priority for a reason. Ideally you'd wait half the time as people coming in at the same time as you that don't have a reservation.
Just tried to make a 5:30 dinner reservation for 8, and was told they "cannot accommodate my request." Seems there is no table larger than a four-top, and they were unwilling to put two four-tops together. The hostess said, "gee, sorry," to which I said, "Wow."
Lill's on 17th happily took our reservation and said they'd be pleased to see us. Too bad for Julian to lose a very nice, good-tipping crowd! Guess they can afford to turn away customers...
pretty harsh crowd here. no leeway for a place that has been open for just over a week?
and i would seriously question anyone who claims to have had a "delightful" dinner at avenues bistro. that place is like dining in the lobby of a marriott hotel, circa 1993.
looking forward to trying julian. it sounds like it will be a bright spot in the bland brookside dining scene. (i use the term "scene" loosely).
I was in the entranceway (never made it inside). My wife, BAKER, got the full treatment.
1. New entrance stinks.
2. Where is Mike Perkins???
3. I don't mind local produced food but organic stuff will never cross my lips!!!!
4. Julia who lived on butter, you may recall, lived to be over 90!!!
4. I want this place to be a nice expeience and will try it one more time but it has a long way to go!!!
Beause the restaurant phone was out of order went to Julian on Monday morning to make reservations for a party of six Tuesday Oct 6. Celina took the reservation for 7pm. When we arrived on the dot of 7pm were told it would be 15 to 20 minute wait. While waiting we observed the noise level, the general milling about of others waiting in the forwad room where we were told we would be seated. After 10 minutes we surmised this was not going to be a pleasant dining experience no matter how good the food. Our group retreated to Avenue Bistro where we had a delightful dinner. In the renovation of Joe D's it would appear seating capacity is reduced. The traffic pattern via the new entrance reeks havoc with dining in the front room. No thanks-will cross Julian off my list. Do wish I had bulldozed my way into the bar to see if Mr. Perkins still holds court at the bar.
Came in for an early dinner. Ordered potato leek soup to start. Hot, delicious, & creamy. For dinner, paella and the lobster shepherds pie. Portions are perfect. Flavor was spot on.
We came in Friday evening with a group of 7 and had a wonderful experience. When we got out table (we called for reservations but its priority seating,,,) but they did a great jobe seating us...Celina came out and started us with an assortment of appetizers that were delightufl! Everything was terrific...from the hamburger to the pot roast to the fish tacoes and salmon....sevice great staff friendly and the chef was tremendous....we will bring more friends back! Great find!!! And very reasonable! Great cab also!!!!
Ate there last night.
Called for reservation on Friday, Celene answered phone and gave us 6:45 Sat. Arrived on time & was told by hostess, "...no reservations, only priority seating". Another group arrived and the same hostess asks "do you have a reservation?".???
We're seated. Noise level is akin to when the Chiefs manage to score:deafening!!!
Menu is printed in a font that is about the same as a phone book listing: I can't read it without glasses. Wife has to read it to me.
Order regular paella @ $19.00(with orzo instead of rice?) served with four mussels, three shrimp, some crumbled chorizo and NO saffron. Paella? I don't think so.
Two glasses of Julian Chard @ $10. Wife orders single fish taco. Total over $60!
Advice: Hang rugs from ceiling to control noise level. If you call it paella, then make it paella. You want repeat customers, find some cheaper wines that match what you're serving.
Overall impression: When it's fixed, let me know.
Avoid this place. No good karma. Rude, clueless, uncaring, hellish experience. Who knows if she can cook but she sure can't open a restaurant.
Wish we could drop in for a lucious pot roast and lobster shepherd's pie! Wishing you the very best!
I can't imagine a restaurateur I'm pulling for more than Celina. Good karma coming your way.
Wow! Having enjoyed your American-Restaurant caliber food, at American Restaurant prices, I can't wait!
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