Probably my favorite place in Kansas City.
Very cool and stylish, but not pretentious, great food, but easy to enjoy, great cocktails.
Aaron and crew do a great job with every aspect of Westport Cafe & Bar. Â Always my recommendation for a good dinner that is nice without being formal. Â Steak Frites are my favorite, with the Pork Milanese and Bar Hamburger also in the running.
Great cocktail selection and bar tenders who always do a great job crafting them, and a simple, but very nice selection of wine.
This is exactly the type of brasserie that I wish KC had more of.
My friends hype up Westport Cafe a lot, but I don't know why. It's not bad, but it's not great either. And honestly, it's a bit too pricey for just "okay" food.
I came here for Saturday brunch a few months ago. This experience was alright. I ordered the chicken hash and some coffee. The coffee hit the spot. The chicken hash was interesting and  flavorful too, although it wasn't anything special. On just brunch alone, I might consider rating this place as 3.5 or 4 stars.
Anyways, I visited Westport Cafe a few more times for dessert because my friends love the place. I tried my friend's bread pudding. THAT was very delicious. My dessert, on the other hand, was essentially some fruit and whip cream. Worst part: it cost $5. Didn't seem like my other friend got that great of a deal either. One slice of an average looking chocolate pie for $5.
I'm not cheap, but I don't like feeling like overpaid for food. Great value is what puts a restaurant in the 4 or 5 star category to me and this place just doesn't cut it.
I didn't even know this place existed until over a year ago. Well, I guess that was the time that I just moved to KC... so who I to blame for that, right? Anyways, when my friend took me to this place for the first time, I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't even check out the menu beforehand so it was a blind food date for me.
Thoughts? Wow this place is delicious! The cuisine I would say is French infused with an American flare (I made this up, does it sound good?)
The service is great, decor is nice as it reminded me a little bit of NYC but a LOT bigger in space. If i'm not mistaken, the owner went to culinary school in NYC.. so that may explain it.
I usually get:
Appetizer: Mussels with shaved fennel and roasted tomatoes (No, I don't share.. it's obviously that good to have all to yourself)
Main: Pan seared bay scallops
Dessert: Meyer Lemon Pot de CrEme w/ Blackberry Lemoncello
I have not tried the brunch, though it is on my to-eat list in the near future.
Some of the best mussels in town. Â (I usually go for the tomato and fennel, but was recently blown away by the Burger's bacon and bleu cheese variety.) Â They're also a steal at $5 during happy hour, served in a cute little mug with dipping toasts. Â But if they are running a special prix fixe menu, (which they do for Bastille Day, New Year's Eve, and oh yes... Restaurant Week!) ...Get it! Â It's a great deal, and a great way to sample their fine wares. Â Their escargots are excellent, with plenty of garlic and butter, and the steak-frites is of much better quality than its pricetag belies. Â They also have some of the best cocktails in town, from the refreshing Pimm's Cup, to barrel-aged Negronis, and anything else you can think of involving muddling, bitters, tinctures or absinthe. Â Like their sister restaurant, The Boot, they also serve up beautiful brunch plates that include a complimentary Bellini, Mimosa or Bloody Mary. Â I'm a sucker for a good Croque Madame, and theirs certainly qualifies. Â All-in-all, a very well-rounded establishment, and a great place for gathering with friends for great drinks and great food, any time of day.
Review Source:We liked this place enough, but its not something we would seek out again. Â The food was fine, not special and not nearly enough for the price. Â I left and went through the McD's drive-thru after ordering the fried chicken and brioche french toast (a measly chicken leg and small piece of breast fried nicely with gravy and a single piece of brioche). It was a child sized portion deceptively camoed by the breading. Â My husbands biscuits and gravy were, again, nothing to write home about--somewhere in the murky grey between not awful and not amazing. Â It was a nice touch that with brunch you get a free mimosa or bellini. Â That tempered our disappointment a bit. Â
Our server was too cool for school. Â I think I'm a little too crochety to appreciate the hipster aesthetic, even hailing from Portland, Or as I do. Â She acted cool, not as in hip, but as in cold. Â I prefer warmer service. Â The restaurant itself is beautiful. Â Vintage-y and slightyly Parisian. Â We got the only bad seat in the whole place---right across from the kitchen door, but even it wasn't that bad.
Overall, I would be open to going back again, though less hungry. Â It's not a great value, but it isn't a bad experience. Â With a few tweaks, greatness is possible.
I've only been to this place twice but it's quite nice.
I'm not particularly enticed by a lot of the entree and hors-d'oeuvres choices, but both times I've eaten here I've had the burger with onions and gruyere and it has been delicious!
The decor reminds me of the kind of place you might go to in Paris for a late night bite -- casual but classy.
I would come here more often were the prices a little lower. That's okay though...this will remain a safe bet when I want something slightly fancy but not too much so in the Westport area.
Service is always quick and efficient here. Â Even with all the music, the bartenders always get my order right.
Lemme tell ya, get the Pimm's Cup here. Â IT IS TO DIE FOR. Â It's something about the ginger and mint that refreshes the soul.
The oysters? Â Delectable and simple, yet bold. Â Everything I want in an oyster. Â And two bucks each? Â I could eat them all day!
Great atmosphere (although westport cafe, please invest in some new chairs) and seriously good cocktails. I always get the seared tuna sandwich-such fantastic flavors! Their mussels are great, too.
One thing I find to be disappointing, most restaurants of this style do seasonal changes to their menu, but this menu hasn't seemed to change at ail since they've opened.... try introducing a seasonal menu or even some plats du jour.
I have been to WCB numerous times and always enjoyed my meal and drinks. It's good enough that I keep comparing it to genuine French bistros. So there's the rub (and point deduction), it's tricky to replicate French bistro food in the States because much of what makes it great is where it is sourced (typically from local farmers). Nonetheless, I applaud WCB for their concise menu with tasty, French inspired recipes. The drinks are fantastic and the atmosphere is not far removed from a typical Parisian bistro. Bon appétit !
Review Source:Maybe I'm a pretensions diner, but in this case I don't think so.
My wife and I visited WPC & B around 7:30pm. When we walked in we waited up front by the bar for about 5 minutes before being acknowledged by the bar tended. He was busy, but not busy enough to not acknowledge us. In addition at least 2 wait staff passed by us without a greeting or acknowledging our need for a table. Once we did talk to the bartender it was another 5 minutes to get a table - not a big deal. Once seated, we waited another 8 minutes to be acknowledged by our waitress who simply poured lukewarm water into glasses and then disappeared to find menus. It was another 5 minutes to get the menus, and another 5 minutes for her to return to ask if we were ready to order our dinner (not if we wanted drinks). We placed a drink order and stated we needed more time to look at the menu.
About 10 minutes later we received our drinks - vodka soda made well, and a pinot noir served in a dirty glass. Knowing that it would be another 10 minutes to get another glass I simply wiped off the lipstick from the previous customer and drank the wine. About 10 more minutes later we ordered our dinners.
Dinner arrived about 30 minutes later. My wife ordered the Char Salmon and really enjoyed the dish. I have a strange diet so I ordered a hamburger patty with French fries and a side salad. The fries were over cooked and under salted. The patty was over salted / seasoned and over cooked. I'm not sure what the "salad" was but my wife liked it.
The server was obviously over worked. She had tables at the front and rear of the restaurant causing her to run back and forth. Maybe it was a bad night, but I don't remember her greeting us or thanking us. While it's been a few years, I've done the job, and understand the difficulties serving. I think my wife summed it up pretty well when she said she felt like she's gotten better service at Denny's. I said I disagreed because at Denny's you at least get a smile.
I feel like I spent $65 for a $20 experience. What really topped it off was the lack of response I received from directly contacting their management. Â Obviously they do not appreciate feedback - positive or negative.
Went on a Friday evening around 7 and the place was rather empty, but super loud! Â Our server was lovely and their cocktails were superb. Â We started with the mussels w/ blue cheese and bacon...delicious!!! Â Wish I had just gotten it as my entree. Â But, I got steak frites for my entree, which was a mixed bag. Â The meat was tough and slightly overcooked, but the fries were very good. Â Note for future visit, just get the mussels w/ a side of fries and lots of their sangria.
But, the ambiance is definitely Parisian, which I enjoyed. Â Just be prepared to holler to hear your dinner companion.
I was here with a group of lady friends on a Friday night, Memorial Day weekend.
This was my first dining experience in KC and I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. It had a New York type of feel, with a lot of personality. We started off with some specialty cocktails, which at 8 dollars a pop feels reasonable, especially considering the same ones would be around 12-16 in Miami. The only one that wasn't totally enjoyed was the Westport Fizz.
We ordered a variety of entrees. The steak frites was good, although the meat could have been a little more vibrantly seasoned, Maybe it was the cut but it was not as flavorful as I would have hoped. The frites were delightfully crunchy though. One of my friends ordered the pasta au poivre, which was the clear stand out at the table. Â That stuff was incredible, so creamy and the pasta was al dente. Yum!
Another stand out was the Arugula salad, they dressed it with some type of lemon vinaigrette, that was absolutely perfect! Strong citrus zing but not overwhelming, I really regret not asking for the recipe.
Our service was very good, everything was delicious, order was delivered with proper timing. So glad to have come here with some of my very dearest friends and share a great meal.
I love this place. Lunch and dinner get four stars, but brunch gets five. It's the best brunch in town, seriously. We get the same thing every time we go, splitting it all, Norwegian Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy and either French Toast or a plate of mini scones. Add several bucket sized cups of coffee and we're all good. Everything is prepared properly: poached eggs are runny, there is actually sausage in the sausage gravy and the bread in the French Toast has soaked the perfect amount of time.
The space is as bistro looking as you can get here in KC, being open and airy most of the year. The staff is genuinely nice and accommodating without being annoying. We love you Westport Café and Bar. Don't go changing, ever.
Three and a half. Really enjoyed our dinner here last night. We started with oysters, steak tartare and an arugula salad. I ordered the Little Red Rooster cocktail and my husband got a draft beer.
The oysters were large, plump and fresh tasting, served on ice with lemon and cocktail sauce, like how they might serve them in NOLA. Good, but would've preferred a French style. The tartare was delicious--crunchy, fresh and briny with capers.
The cocktail was a highlight, perfectly balanced with grapefruit, aperol and a lovely cinnamon-pepper syrup. Mmmm.
For mains, we switched to an amazing Cotes du Rhone. I ordered the scallops with mushrooms and the husband had the pasta au poivre. The scallops were well-cooked, served with local mushrooms, asparagus and a mushroom jus. The broth was a bit salty, but very tasty. The husband said his pasta was simple and flavorful.
For dessert we shared a cheese plate. This is where Westport fell flat. With so many great local and French cheeses, they should add something unusual here. Instead it was kind of boring--manchego, grana padano, a truffled honey ricotta and an extremely sharp bleu. I would've liked to see a Brie or stinky cheese and maybe some unique jam or roasted nuts. Ah well.
I would definitely come back here to visit, but not before trying some other KC gems.
Service was very nice, attentive and friendly. Great neighborhood place.
This place smells delicious right when you walk in. Come early since this place gets pretty packed for brunch or else you'll be tortured by how good everything smells.
The chicken hash was the best variation of meat + hash browns I've ever had. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor. Add that to perfectly salted hash browns and what do you have? A delectable dish!
Even though we were stuffed, we still decided to get profiteroles for dessert. You can't go wrong with this tasty treat! The cold ice cream mixed with hot drizzled chocolate and a puff pastry just topped our entire meal.
Go now if you haven't tried this place!!
How had we not heard of this restaurant before? Â
Can't say enough great things about this place. Â From great service to incredible flavors, Westport Cafe and Bar is just what we needed for a great evening out. Â
We tried about 8 appetizers for our meal just to get taste all that was tempting on the menu and we were delighted with every single dish. Â The ravioli was delicious, escargot - perfection, beef tartar - out of this world yummy and the prosciutto was like no other. Â Â Prices were very reasonable. Â Forgot one last dish. Â The jumbo shrimp was out of this world great! Â
We will be back very soon.
How have I not reviewed Westport? Â This place is our go-to for virtually everything... birthdays, out-of-town visitors, important business dinners... Westport is the place to go. Â I have never had anything other than an exceptional meal, and we have never had anything but exceptional service. Â Their specialty drinks are divine. Â Also, bonus! For some reason, I'm in love with the wallpaper in the women's restroom (can't speak for the men's).
I'm docking a star because I've made a new rule for my reviews. Â Anyplace with a tv automatically loses a star. Â What. Is the deal. With tvs EVERYPLACE? Â It's a distraction and so unnecessary. Â And at a place like this? Â It is just SO ridiculously out of place with the lovely, old-world vibe. Â I vote take it down.
We had an enjoyable experience and would go back in a heartbeat. The visit actually took place on New Years Eve and we had decided on a low key night, simple dinner and an early night at home on the couch with some Proseco and those awful Bravo housewives, guilty pleasure I know.
I enjoyed the scallops, a perfectly cooked scallop is heaven and an overcooked scallop is a crime, my scallops were wonderful. My husband had the steak with house butter and béarnaise, it seemed like over kill at first, but who doesn't love butter. The ravioli appetizer was wonderful as was my martini, I love a good martini.
It's a great place to take date or you could enjoy a nice meal at the bar with a glass of wine, a book and just yourself. I will definitely be back!
Lovely lunch for one.
I like to treat myself once in awhile and take myself on a date. Westport Cafe & Bar was yesterday's choice!
I had a delicious steak sandwich (cooked to perfection-- and by perfection I mean rare--- but not bleeding), a salad that was not over dressed, yet complimented enough that made it special and gratin pommes (off the hook)! If you are bread pudding lover--- this is some of the best in KC (along with McCoys and Westside Local). What make WC&B's BP unique is the anglaise sauce, poured table side.
The reason I am inclined to review WC&B at this time, is the service.. Dining alone can be a real test. Â My sweet server was attentive without being overbearing. LOVE THIS PLACE! Looking forward to the owners new restaurant, The Boot!
Judging by the other Yelpers, I should have gone there for brunch instead.
Showed up for dinner (Grouponage), and was instantly taken with how small, chic, and intimate the place is.  Honestly, it kinda betrays the name -- it's a full-on fancy restaurant, not JUST a café and bar.
Had the fish of the day; it was cooked just right, although the accompanying potatoes seemed a little like an afterthought.
I think the biggest thing to take away from here... is that this is a place you go with a date, somebody special, or to pop the question. Â It's not really a place you just meet up with a buddy for a quickie dinner. Â I'd definitely try it again; I just have a better idea what to expect next time.
WCB is one of my Kansas City favorites. My wife and I have been on several different occasions and never been disappointed. In fact, of the seven or eight of the dishes I've been fortunate enough to try, I would re-order every single one except for the chicken liver & foie gras mousse. It was fine, but just didn't really stick with me or make me want to eat it again.
But the key to WCB is how everything about the restaurant comes together to form a charming place to enjoy a variety of meal types. For the breakfast-inclined, WCB does an excellent Sunday brunch. The menu includes some of their normal fare, but also has a list of breakfast "entrees" that come with a complimentary cocktail (mimosa, bellini or bloody mary), tea or coffee. Anyone who passes up the alcohol in favor of a coffee is missing out, as WCB does cocktails very well. More on that later.
I've had two different breakfast items, and both were amazing. First, the brioche french toast  with lavender cream is rich and decadent. The homemade biscuits and gravy are also excellent, and I love the fact that they are served with a side of bacon or sausage. At most breakfast places around KC, biscuits & gravy dishes tend to treat the sausage in the gravy as the protein, much to this bacon-lover's dismay. Speaking of the bacon, WCB uses the extra-thick variety.
WCB also does some very tasty sandwiches. As one would expect from a French café, both Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame are staples on the menu. The bread is thick and perfect for absorbing the wonderful egg yolk on the Madame, and the ham is salty and sweet and offset perfectly by the creamy gruyere cheese. Another great one is the bar steak sandwich, that comes with a flavorful horseradish cream and sauteed onions, but my favorite is the seared tuna sandwich with ginger aioli.
Beyond the great cuisine, WCB has a great-looking interior, with a checkerboard floor, classic wooden tables and chairs, and an couple of incredible pieces--the antique-style bar and an ornate art-frame mirror in the back area of the restaurant. The atmosphere really follows through on the authentic French café vibe that permeates the menu.
The last piece of the puzzle is the mix of interesting and classic cocktails that they offer to accompany your dinner (or brunch!). They have a rotating menu of specialty cocktails that have been created by their resident "mixologist", (or as I like to call them "booze chefs") along with a list of classic drinks, including Pimm's Cup, Dark & Stormy and Old Fashioned, among others. They do a mean Gimlet (for gin lovers like myself), and they know their custom cocktails, judging by my West of Rio. It was a drink including muddled blackberries, lime, simple syrup and Cachaça, the fermented sugar cane spirit that is the foundation of the Caipirinha (Brazil's national cocktail).
Whether you tend towards delicious food, refreshing cocktails, or a restaurant with a great overall atmosphere and experience, Westport Café & Bar is worth sampling. No, my review is not an advertisement, I just really enjoy this restaurant and want to see other people discover it so that it will stick around for awhile.
This might be one of my favorite places in town! The service, food and drinks are always incredible. The ambiance is lovely and the decor makes you feel like you're in a French bistro or a cute NYC restaurant. Another great thing about it is that the owner is ALWAYS there. He takes great care of his customers and clearly takes a lot of pride in his restaurant.
Also, you get a bellini, mimosa or bloody mary with brunch. Can't beat that!
Let me just start out by saying that this review is for brunch at Westport Cafe and Bar. The first thing I noticed when walking in here for the first time was just how adorable the restaurant is; the brick wall with the checkerboard flooring makes me feel like I'm in France.
The food was delicious and I loved that you got a whole meal including one alcohol drink with your meal for about $15. It felt as though the people sitting around were locals who may have walked from their cozy apartments in Westport, it just had that kind of feel.
My only complaint is that the price puts it just out of reach of that 'our regular bunch spot' title. Oh well! We'll be back!
Went here last night for a spontaneous dinner with friends. Love the atmosphere and the service was fantastic. Our table wasn't ready and the manager couldn't have been any more thoughtful and appreciative of our patience at the wait. That was stupendous.
The pea ravioli was lovely and the goat cheese (or something like that) appetizer was also wonderful. Highly recommend. The mussels were a bit of a disappointment, but that could have just been because it was pretty late in the evening.
The entrees were good - I had a filet and he had seafood. Mine was good, his wasn't anything to write home about. Other diners had scallops (which looked good) and a hamburger (which looked incredible) and the vegetarian amongst us was satisfied with his fare.
We're foodies and food snobs. This was a great neighborhood place and the food was good, the atmosphere enjoyable and the vibe a good one. It wasn't the best food I've ever eaten, but for the price (pretty inexpensive in the big scheme of things), it was well worth a return trip.
I had a chance to have yet another great experience at Westport Cafe (I found out that they had just opened a food truck behind Harry's on the weekend, so go check it out!). Â I had a breakfast with a friend and was not disappointed.
I had not had the terrine last time (they were out). Â I was craving it and was told it was no longer on the menu (the owner stopped by and apologized. Â "People just not ordering it, cause they're chicken?" Â He nodded. Â "In another life," he laughed).
I ordered the omelette with fines herbes and pommes frites, but I substituted chicken hash for the pommes frites. Â Added a side of bacon and a starter of 5 clams.
Love this place.
So I didn't love brunch at Westport Cafe & Bar when I first gave it a try, but my dude and I had a FANTASTIC dinner there last Friday and I'm still thinking about it.
First - the cocktails. They were amazing. I opted for the Whiskey Smash and the boyfriend went for the Old Fashioned. Both were spectacular and I had some difficulty pacing myself.
We started with the escargot (delicious) and the baked ricotta with goat cheese and truffled honey (amazing). The only thing missing was more bread to soak up all of the deliciousness (granted, we didn't ask for more, so it's our own fault).
Both of us ordered the scallops, but my guy chose to substitute the asparagus with truffled potato pureee and I subbed in the pommes frites. The frites were excellent, but the truffled potato puree? I could have licked the dish clean - rich and buttery and truffley and awesome.
We ended the evening with yet another cocktail and left the restaurant in a state of bliss.
Thumbs up for the decor (simple and chic) and the service (attentive but not overly so).
We will be back. Because I'd like a Whiskey Smash and a side of truffled potato puree in my belly sooner rather than later.
I'm going to give Westport Cafe & Bar a 3 star rating for now, because while I liked my breakfast/brunch yesterday well enough, I've also had better brunches. To be entirely fair, though, I'm also not usually a breakfast person, so take this review as you will.
We arrived shortly after 11am, and were seated right away in the longer middle part of the restaurant. It wasn't very busy when we arrived, but things definitely picked up shortly thereafter. I liked the ambiance of the place, especially the very cute bar area near the front, but found the middle corridor to be just a bit lacking when compared with the front area. On a beautiful day, I'd rather be seated near those big windows so I can people watch while I eat. But no biggie.
I ordered the omlette (which came with pomme frites), as well as a side of bacon and a bellini. The bellini was just alright, and I probably should've gone for a bloody mary instead. The omlette was very nice, the frites were just a tad salty, and the bacon was actually the standout item for me - slicked thick and cooked perfectly (not totally crisp, but definitely not soggy and nasty), it was like rashers meets bacon, and I loved it. My husband had the English breakfast with toast, and also had a bellini...which also didn't impress him. His eggs were cooked perfectly, though; he also loved the bacon, and overall he enjoyed his meal. And some of my frites!
Service was very quick and friendly, and everyone from our server to the owner made sure to stop by and make sure that we were enjoying our food, which was nice. The menu prices were definitely reasonable, and I think we'd go back again. (Well, I know my husband would do brunch again, but I personally want to try dinner, or at least some of the less breakfast-y items.)
I wish this type of restaurant was in every neighborhood in KC. Â Maybe KC would live up to it's "Paris on the Plains" nickname once again.
Pros
I love the drink menu
Types of Fish they offer
Love that they stay open late
Very well priced.
Cons
One night my fish had way to much butter flavor, i was basically eating butter with a side of fish.
The owner seems a little timid when greeting people and asking how everything is going
I will be back because I plan on using my open table certificate here.
Part of the traditoin of Parisian bistros and brasseries is good alcohol and Westport Café & Bar serves up, truly, some of the finest in the city (local mixologists Ryan Maybee and Beau Williams of Manifesto crafted the menu). Last night after taking our seats in the long hallway between the front and back dining areas just outside the door to the kitchen, I ordered up the Winter Smash and Elizabeth the Granny's Westside.
The Winter Smash was a tart, seasonally inspired mixture of Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, spiced honey syrup and peach, garnished with a skewer of three red berries and delicately walking a line between sour and sweet. Burying my snout in that lowball glass was a treat I was sad had to end.
Elizabeth's Granny's Westside looked the part of an old school cocktail in its small juice glass with egg white foam on top. Other ingredients in the lip-smacking libation were a homemade baked apple infused vodka, lemon, lime, simple syrup and soda. She didn't want to share hers and I was confident I was winning out by not having to share mine.
The gal who cuts my hair - a bit of a foodie herself and a great restaurant-talk cohort of mine - had been to WC&B and said the mussels were a must. Between choices with bacon and blue cheese or shaved fennel and roasted tomato, we went with the latter. It had been quite some time since we'd had mussels, so it wouldn't have taken much for them to earn our adoration, but I absolutely did love them.
The mussels were plump and sweet with hints of garlic but not an overpowering amount. The tomatoes, though a little sparse, were soft and savory. And that broth, the best part of a steaming bowl of mussels, was a heavenly bath for the slices of baguette studding the bowl. My only gripe was that the fennel was not shaved, but rather came in long, undercooked strips. They lacked finesse and actually seemed more like long strips of Vidalia onion than fennel at all. Not bad, but not what we'd hoped for. Still, I'd order another bowl of those mussels with the exact same preparation in a heartbeat.
One can go as pricey or cheap as they wish on this dinner menu. The salads and sandwiches are quite reasonable--Chicken Paillard for just $11, Tuna Nicoise for $12, Croque Monsieur for $9, Madame and her fried egg for just another dollar.
We didn't go there on this trip, but the dinner entrees include plenty of seafood: fish of the day, arctic char, cod or scallops. There's also pasta, roasted chicken, steak frites and pork shoulder. All range from $13 to $19.00.
Our first choice was the seared tuna sandwich. On a soft, sweet roll, rare strips of gorgeous pink tuna were heaped with a thick bedding of tender baby spinach and a brightly contrasting, sweet ginger aioli, which I loved. On the side was a small pile of sweated shallot, which I added to the sandwich, not knowing if they were just an optional topping or meant to go with my side salad. Each pleasurable mouthful melted away effortlessly. I instantly devoured the entire thing, which was not huge but certainly an adequate size.
The salad on the side, with shaved Parmesan and radishes, was lightly dressed with a heavenly, unctuous vinaigrette containing luxurious truffle oil. It didn't overpower but was, rather, the perfect amount to make the salad a true bonus as opposed to a compulsory side.
The steak sandwich came on another soft roll (though not the same one as came with the tuna sandwich) again with strips of delightfully tender meat and with a beautiful complimentary slathering of horseradish cream and sautéed onion; quite similar to the tuna sandwich in preparation, but an entirely different world of flavors. My fear with steak sandwiches is always overcooked stretchy, chewy meat. Not so here, as the steak melted away almost as easily as did the rare fish. I'm salivating now, as I relive the memories of each of these sandwiches.
As we conquered the French-inspired sandwiches, we also crammed salty pommes frites, buttery sautéed mushrooms and garlicky wilted spinach down our respective hatches. It was all so satisfying... so delicious... so... French. The attractive clientele sitting around us all seemed so laid back and satisfied, too. Our old neighbors Steve and Janie stopped by to chat. Steve's a trained chef who knows his restaurants. I took his patronage as a sign we were on to something good.
And we were. In the end, Westport Cafe & Bar turned out to be one of the best new restaurants we've tried in quite some time.
You know if I'm craving an omelette, it's got to be a damn good omelette. In general, I avoid eggs, unless they are hidden in a baked good, but Westport Café serves up the best omelette I've ever had. The fluffy  texture is pleasing from the first bite, and it's sprinkled with just the right amount of herbs. Need I mention the pomme frites are the perfect accompaniment? The first time I ordered the ensemble, I savored it slowly. Yesterday afternoon thanks to going about 18 hours without food, I all but inhaled the plate. Actually, for once, I finished my food at the same time as the K, who eats with record speed. This food begs to be eaten with a bit more care and attention, however. Â
Westport Café is easily one of the best brunches you're going to find in town. Quite possibly one of the best brunch deals I've experienced in *any* city, when you consider the superb food quality for a shockingly low price. Have I convinced you yet? Shall I mention the OMFGood melt-in-your-mouth scones? Oh and you get a bloody mary, mimosa, bellini or coffee or juice included in the cost of the brunch, which is incentive to keep ordering more, of course.
I have been here for dinner once and look forward to returning to report more on that. I realize that French bistros are typically not vegetarian-friendly, but WC does have a couple options. I ordered a pasta dish that did not disappoint, though I have to admit it wasn't particularly memorable either (keep in mind I'm comparing it to the aforementioned outstanding brunch items).
By the way, cocktails are indeed, an art here. And the environs, so authentically French, you'd swear you might walk out and find yourself staring up at Sacre Coeur.
Field Report #1 : Westport Café
Agent on scene : Mr. Nemeth
In the company of : The Dame, The Fashion Maven, The Fellow Gentleman
Subject of course : Dinnertime
Observations : Seated in longer, middle part of restaurant, French design cues are much appreciated: bright tile and dark wood, menus with vintage typographic styling. Â Intimate and even boisterous atmosphere. Â Appetizers are quite tasty and cocktails, sublime. Dinner plate was hearty; plate-scraped thoroughly. Â Much yummy noises emanate in appreciation.
Side-notes made : Come back to try Brunch.
End Field Report #1
_______________________________________
Field Report #2 : Westport Café
Agent on scene : Mr. Nemeth
In the company of : The Dame
Subject of course : Sunday Brunch
Observations : Even better visit than first time. Seated in front near large, wintery windows. An astounding feast that began with Bloody Mary joining us. Bacon extra crisp, eggs fluffy, potatoes hearty, none of it greasy or heavy. Scone / biscuit hybrid worth the trip alone. Â Biscuits and gravy still fill mouth with chewmories. Continuation of yummy noises.
Side-notes : Come back to try Brunch AGAIN.
End Field Report #2
_______________________________________
Simply put.............PERFECTION!
Ok, let me preface this with our situation. Â It's a Friday night, me and my partner worked all day and just wanted something good without a wait, with good service, a nice atmosphere and didn't want to break the bank. Â We found all of these things at Westport Cafe. Â Perfection for what we were looking for that night yes, perfection on perfection standards, maybe not exactly. Â It was one of those nights that things just worked out for us without any complications or too much thought. Â You know, when the night just happens, you get home and your like "that was such a great night and such a great restaurant"!
I loved the atmosphere. Â Small, warm and cozy. Â Great interior, just loved it.
The waitress was kind, knowledgeable and efficient.
The cocktails were amazing, tasty and well tailored.
The food we both had was fantastic. Â From the quality to the seasoning to the flavors....fantastic.
We split a dessert and were happy we did, it like everything else, did not disappoint. Â
We couldn't believe how little the bill was after having all that we did at the quality level it was. Â I cannot wait to go back and create some more great evenings.
While in Kansas City over the weekend I found myself wandering the streets of the Westport Art Fair just as a massive thunderstorm was bearing down. Â I popped into WC&B and couldn't believe my good fortune. Â The place was packed. Â Grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a Whiskey Smash - bourbon, lemon juice, honey lavender syrup and peach. Â So. Â Good. Â Garnished with a blackberry. Â
I ordered the mussels with Gorgonzola and bacon. Â Dear god. Â Sopped up the broth with bread, they were fantastic. Â Delicious. Â And a glass of something white, a Sauvignon Blanc blend - Little James Basket Press White, with Viognier. Â Friendly bartenders, fun crowd, French cafe decor going on. Â Classy menu design
When I'm in KC next, I'll be paying another visit.
Hella yum!
I am very, very pleased to have tried Westport Cafe & Bar for dinner. Â It was a nice place to go and relax over a drink (or two) and a meal.
Our server was pleasant. Â She was knowledgeable with the cocktail menu. Â I was torn between two options. Â She told me the pros and cons of each. Â I picked one but received the other. Â I looked at the drink menu because I was certain my drink shouldn't have been fuchsia. Â My order was immediately fixed. I wasn't charged for the mistake and I was allowed to keep the ooops cocktail. Â Score 1.
The appetizer ordered was the grilled octopus. Â Oh my goodness....it was divinely salty and grilled to perfection. Â It was served with prosciutto and potatoes which were also excellently grilled. Â Score 2.
My entree was simple. Â I had the Bar Steak Sandwich, medium rare. Â It was served exactly medium rare. Â The onions and truffle cream were amazing condiments. Â Included was a tart but tasty arugula salad. Â Score 3.
I really wanted to try the strawberry pot de creme but will save it for next time.
Overall, I forgot I was in the old Blanc restaurant. Â I really just sat back and enjoyed the dishes and drinks. Â Score 4 and match to WCB.
HEAVEN. Â A dream come true.
Since I moved to this area, I have been looking for a bistro having food and drink meeting European standards at reasonable prices, not inflated by phony pretension and arrogance. Â The last time I thought I had found such a restaurant, it was a French cafe in Georgetown (Washington, DC). Â I brought a visiting colleague there from Aix-en-Provence, France. Â He began speaking French to the waiter, who seemed confused and brought my friend into the kitchen to talk with the chef. Â My guest walked out of the kitchen shaking his head saying, "these people do not know what they are doing." Â
Yes, I have been to better restaurants in the US, Europe, Asia, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Canada, and South America --- at two, three, or four times the price. Â The Westport Cafe & Bar provides some of the best food and drink I've ever experienced relative to the surprisingly reasonable prices currently being charged at this wonderful restaurant. Â If you have money to burn, you can do better. Â But at these prices, not a chance.
We did not know what to expect when we went here, so we ordered one course at a time, starting with the roasted fennel soup.  It was wonderful.  So then we ordered the tomato fennel mussels.  Wonderful.  Then we ordered the spring tomato pea ravioli.  Wonderful.  Then a jumbo shrimp.  Wonderful.  Then the daily oyster.  Wonderful.  The the arctic char entree.  Wonderful.  We usually do not order desserts, but this all was so good that we went ahead and ordered one.  Got the pot de creme.  Wonderful, along with their coffee (not espresso, but very good in  large cups at modest price).
Oh, and then there is the wine. Â As in Europe, they not only have good wines at reasonable prices by the glass and by the bottle, but also by the carafe. Â I've heard that the mixed drinks are outstanding here, but our preferences are European (wine, not cocktails), so we have not tried the cocktails. Â Maybe another day.
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