Boozefish Wine Bar

I guess I expected more. Being the highest rated wine bar in the Kansas City area I was hoping to walk into an interesting space with an impeccable wine list and essentially be wowed to pieces. That didn't turn out to be the case.

Perhaps my expectations were too high hailing from Oregon, a state that exports volumes of wine second only to California. Perhaps my expectations of the tastes of the patrons were too high or too varied. Granted, Boozefish could have the most adventurous yet balanced wine list in the country but if no one local is going to take a chance drinking certain varietals then it's all for not. Because of this I can't give less than a 3 star rating even though this would rank as a 2 compared to most of my experiences. The wines are mainstream - Cabs, Merlots, Chardonnays, Syrahs, etc. I like to call them gateway wines to more obscure grapes. Unfortunately someone starting out with wines at Boozefish will eventually need to branch out on their own to continue exploring. This process could take a few years, but it's ultimately inevitable based on the mostly mainstream selections.

Ambiance wise it's pretty quiet. Seemingly a place where middle aged and older folks gather to imbibe in a space with dark woods, reminiscent more of an Irish pub than a wine bar. There's ample, varied seating around the space and the staff is attentive. One thing holding them down I their food. I took one look at the menu and knew I was not in the mood to spend nearly $15 for a hummus plate. A glance over the other food offerings lead me to believe they either don't want you to eat here, or they are extremely confident in their dishes. Confident enough to take you to the limit of price gouging. We enjoyed the last bits of our wines then paid and took off to find dinner elsewhere.

I was unable to try any other wine specific or wine focused bars in KCMO so comparisons aren't possible. Though I have to say if Boozefish is the highest rated space in town I question how much more limited other places around town could be.

Chuck's dip and a pinot grigio out on the patio with your dog. You should do that.

The best wine bar that no one knows about.

The owner is passionate about all things wine- and food-related, there's something for everyone on the eclectic wine list, the menu is varied and delicious (try the Quiche du Jour), and the regulars are always entertaining.

If you've never been, just go. Now.