Prairie Village’s newest restaurant.
Tavern in the Village opened its doors on February 28, 2011, and just recently had a special media event to showcase some of their dishes and cocktails. I was thrilled to attend this event, what a great opportunity for me to be able to let you know what you are missing!
The expansive menu features classic American-Style cuisine. There was a beautiful table display of some of Tavern in the Village’s dishes that had my mouth watering. The menu is split into categories: Starters, Soups and Salads, Mains, Hand Helds, and Homemade Desserts. Below are a few of the offerings featured for each category. (Warning, this will make you very hungry!)
Starters
Chili Seared Jumbo Shrimp
Soups and Salads
Santa Fe Chicken Salad
Asian Tuna Salad
Mains
Grilled Pork Porterhouse
½ Rotisserie Chicken
Kansas City Strip
Penne Pasta
Fresh Grilled Salmon
Hand Helds
Grilled Beef Tenderloin
Chicken Tacos
Homemade Desserts
Butterfinger Cheesecake
Cinnamon and Sugar Coated Donuts
In addition to all of the wonderful dishes, Tavern in the Village offers an extensive hand crafted cocktail list created by David Smuckler, 2007 Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition Champion. Smuckler’s mission is to showcase unique and delicious cocktail combinations that you will not find anywhere else. With the use of fresh fruits, a variety of herbs and quality spirits, these drinks are delicious and absolutely gorgeous. The cocktail display was simply beautiful. Below is a sneak peek at some of the offerings.
Blueberry Cilantro Margarita
Rosemary Monk
Mandarin Dream
Rosewater Citrus Rickey
Lavender Lemongrass Drop
Peach New Fashion
Thai Tavern Julep
I had the chance to have a tiny taste of each one of these and was in cocktail heaven. All of them were unique, fresh and beautiful. The Lavender Lemongrass Drop and Rosemary Monk were my favorites with the Blueberry Cilantro Margarita coming in a close third. I cannot wait to take my sister there for a Mandarin Dream. The flavors in that were reminiscent of the classic orange push up pop we all ate as kids. Those were her favorite and I am sure she will be thrilled to have an adult version of it.
In addition to a sampling of cocktails the Tavern in the Village graciously provided samplings of their Hummus, Spicy Ahi Tacos and Butterfinger Cheesecake. From the offerings that I tried, Tavern in the Village has me hooked! They use the freshest ingredients and source local when possible. I cannot wait to go back!
Below is some information from Tavern in the Village’s press release that gives more information about them.
Tavern in the Village
3901 Prairie Lane
Prairie Village, KS 66208
913-529-2229
If you have a great food find in Kansas City, email me.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
Prairie Village, KS-Prairie Village continues to further position itself as a dining destination with the opening of Tavern in the Village. Tavern in the Village, at 3901 Prairie Lane in the Prairie Village Shops, underwent a complete transformation and is introducing an upscale-casual restaurant geared to the socially active community and their friends. Tavern in the Village is filling a void in the new “Village” for diners in search of specific accommodations to fit their lifestyles. From busy families to casual business lunches, to a casual glass of wine with friends or late night diners, cocktail enthusiasts and wine drinkers, Tavern in the Village is an evolved experience in the “Village.” The restaurant opened to the public on Monday, February 28, serving lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Dinner will extend to midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The concept is the vision of owner and Prairie Village native Kelly Manning, an established local restaurateur with over 20 years in the restaurant industry, including time with Kansas City-based PB&J Restaurants Inc., Houston’s Restaurant, and most recently with Morton’s The Steakhouse, as regional director of operations. Manning is a Pembroke Hill graduate. General manager Anthony Zarate works closely with Manning, focusing on staff, training and operations.
Tavern in the Village’s menu is the creation of executive chef Lon Froneberger, formerly with The Oread in Lawrence, Kan., and McCormick & Schmick’s. The menu will feature upscale-casual American style cuisine featuring ingredients fresh every day and dishes prepared per order. To complement the refined menu, a wine list offering 60 bottles is offered. A “5 for $5.00 Kids Menu” will offer five options all priced at $5.00, including a several healthy options.
David Smuckler, the 2007 champion of the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition, returns to Kansas City after a brief stint away in Atlanta. Smuckler has competed nationally and received notable acclaim for his mixology skills. He will direct Tavern in the Village’s bar operations. The fully-stocked bar will feature a drink list compiled by Smuckler of his freshly inspired, handcrafted cocktail creations. A bar food menu featuring four smaller plates for $5.00 will be available daily early from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and late from 8:30 p.m. – close.
Menu
Lunch and dinner daily. Distinctive items include:
• Grilled Baby Brie
• Spicy Ahi “Tacos”
• ½ Rotisserie Chicken
• KC Strip
• Fresh Catch Of Day
• Creole Chicken & Shrimp Pasta
• Santa Fe Chicken Salad
• Turkey Croissant With Apples
• Portobello Melt
• Chicken Tacos
• Homemade Peach Cobbler
• Cinnamon Sugarcoated Donuts
Bar Menu
Options available in the bar.
• Hummus with Toasted Pita
• Tavern Chicken Nachos
• Fajita Steak Sliders
• BBQ Chicken Sliders
Drink List
Created by David Smuckler, 2007 Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition champion.
• Rosemary Monk – Hendricks Gin, Green Chartreuse, Lime, Fresh Strawberries, Simple Syrup, Rosemary
• Blueberry Cilantro Marg – Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, Elderflower, Lime, Simple Syrup, Fresh Blueberries, Cilantro
• Mandarin Dream – Stoli Ohranji Vodka, Grand Marnier, Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice, Simple Syrup, Vanilla, Fresh Layered Cream, Lemon Zest
• Lavender Lemongrass Drop – Ketel One Citron Vodka, Cointreau, Lemon, Lavender Simple Syrup, Lemongrass
• Thai Tavern Julep – Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Thai Basil, Simple Syrup, English Cucumber, Soda
• Peach New Fashion – Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Aperol, Tawny Port, Fresh Orange, Peach Bitters
• Rosewater Citrus Rickey – G Vine Gin, Lime, Simple Syrup, Rosewater, Grapefruit Bitters
• Tavern Foster – Tavern in the Village Roasterie Blend Coffee, Spiced Vanilla, Tuaca, Banana Liqueur, Fresh Whipped Cream
Distinctive Dining
The 4,400-square-foot restaurant, designed and developed by local start-up companies Generator Studio and Centric Designs, will feature 17-foot ceilings, natural stone and a spectacular fire display separating the bar and dining room. Booths will have 42-inch backs, creating an intimate dining experience, perfect for families, dates or business professional holding confidential discussions. The bar will feature a 17-foot floor-to-ceiling retractable, glass door to create an indoor/outdoor environment during warmer weather. In addition, the bar will house two 42-inch high-definition, flat screen televisions.
An outdoor patio is planned that will incorporate additional seating for al fresco dining.
Service Hours
• Lunch and dinner: Open seven days a week, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Dinner will extend to midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• Early and Late Bar Food Menu: Daily, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 – close.
For more information visit www.taverninthevillage.com