Jason Rubis and former Ritz-Carlton chef Joe Birch have done an amazing job turning the old Saper Cleaners space in Brookside into a snazzy little bistro that serves lunch, dinner and weekend breakfasts. It’s not a particularly fancy place, but the ambitious, continental-style menu lands all over the culinary map: grilled Bavarian sausage platters, Scandinavian salad, Austrian-style calf’s liver, tortellini Roma, pommes frites. Steaks, too. It’s not easy finding a parking space on busy nights when the Brookside shops are still open, but it’s worth circling the block a few times. — Charles Ferruzza
Price: $$-$$$
Payment Type: All Major Credit Cards, cash
Parking: Lot Available, Street
Reservations: Accepted, Recommended, Recommended for Large Parties, Not Necessary
Attire: casual
Showing 1-5 of 5
I have to say, I've never differed from a professional food critic's opinion on a fine eating establishment as much as I had when concerning "Avenues Bistro" in the Brookside area of Kansas City. I have never been so ignored or overcharged in all my days. For $30 you can recieve the so-called "Filet Mignon", which is nothing but an over-priced lump of charcoal-flavored cardboard, and served by waiters who are almost as attentive as said lump. In fact, the nicest thing about this place was how quickly I received my check. If you wish to waste your hard-earned money on a $120 meal, please go there. Otherwise, I highly recommend you go elsewhere. In other words.....
DO NOT DINE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating Detail:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Value: 1
Overall: 1
My friend and I went to dinner at Avenues last night prior to going to a show. We had heard lots of good things so we were excited to try it out for the first time.
Our first impression was so/so as the dining room is just a little too cute, and there is a bit of a strange vibe. The wine was big, but a little pretentious. It appeared to have been written by someone who wanted to make sure you knew he was more clever than you.
The menu included many items that seemed to contain the same ingredients, and dishes that were very heavy especially for a summer menu. It didn't seem like bistro food, and for bistro fare it was very pricey. It noted that the appetizers were meant to be shared on the menu, but it didnt say by how many! :)
We spoke with our waiter who recommended some items, and we ordered two of their most popular entrees. The lobster ravioli was gummy and so sweet we couldn't eat it. I will say the shrimp and lobster were cooked nicely, but they were so salty they had no other taste. We also ordered the steak au poivre, and the steak itself was mushy and had an "off" taste, and didn't resemble any strip steak I had ever seen. The sauce had little to no pepper, which usually balances the sweetness of the cognac and the cream, so again it seemed overly sweet. The greens that were served with the steak were hot and wilted, and the "pomme frites" were TERRIBLE. They were greasy and soggy, and were an embarrassment compared to what frites should be.
When the gentleman came to clear our almost full plates, we mentioned that we were a little disappointed, but it fell on deaf ears. Our waiter came by and dropped off our check without comment (and without any offer for dessert).
The bill was for two cocktails, two entrees, with tip $80.
In summary, this was the worst $80 meal I never ate.
Rating Detail:
Food: 1
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 2
Value: 1
Overall: 1
My husband and I ate lunch here for the first time and I was very impressed with the food. I had the Thai Scallop Salad and it was just right. My husband liked his Hot Brown Sandwich very much too. I loved the menu and want to go back so I can try everything on it. Attentive and friendly staff too!
Rating Detail:
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Value: 4
Overall: 5
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