Stepping into a familiar restaurant after some time away can be a delightful experience, especially when it proves to be just as inviting and exceptional as you remember. That was precisely our recent experience at Grand Street Café, a cherished dining destination located near the Country Club Plaza, easily accessible from areas like Lenexa. My wife had enjoyed lunch there not long ago, but for me, it had been several years. Perhaps it was the allure of exploring new culinary spots around the metro or my focus on international cuisines that kept me away. However, my recent meal at Grand Street Café served as a wonderful reminder, assuring me that a return visit would be much sooner.
Grand Street Cafe Lenexa: Interior view of the dining area with comfortable seating and modern touches, showcasing the restaurant's welcoming ambiance.
The dishes we savored were remarkably fresh, exquisitely flavorful, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The dining space is open and airy, incorporating contemporary design elements that contribute to a fresh feel without being overly minimalist or noisy. The service was impeccable – attentive and professional, yet never intrusive.
I had the opportunity to speak with owner Rick Ghilardi about the enduring success of Grand Street Café over its impressive 28-year history. “We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated individuals, many of whom have been with us for a decade or more. Our commitment has always been to deliver a high-quality dining experience. We continuously refresh our ambiance, having renovated the space several times. And, of course, our loyal clientele is the heart of our success. We have many patrons who have been dining with us consistently throughout the years,” Ghilardi shared. He also emphasized the crucial role of their long-tenured chef, who is consistently present on the line, ensuring the precise execution of each dish. During our visit, the menu featured a delectable pan-seared Alaskan halibut, which was nearing the end of its seasonal availability. We also enjoyed one of the finest tuna tartare preparations I’ve tasted in Kansas City, and a superb combination of grilled octopus, remarkably tender and flavorful, paired with grilled chorizo, which offered just the right amount of spice to perfectly suit my taste.
For those seeking healthier dining options, Grand Street Café offers a variety of choices. Ghilardi highlighted the flexibility of their kitchen, noting the availability of seafood prepared to individual preferences, salads abundant with vegetables and lighter on cheese and protein, and their willingness to accommodate various dietary needs and preferences. “With our chefs actively working the line each evening, they possess the expertise to create custom preparations or sauces on the spot, catering to our guests’ requests,” Ghilardi explained.
Grand Street Café, consider me a regular again. My next visit will definitely be in the near future.
While my experience at Grand Street Café was a delightful revisit to a classic, my culinary journey also recently took me to Ignite Wood Fire Grill, another noteworthy restaurant, though located further west in Lenexa City Center. Ignite, with its emphasis on the primal flavors of wood-fired cooking and contemporary American cuisine, holds a special place among my favorite dining destinations in the metro area. If Ignite were situated closer to my home in Liberty, I would undoubtedly be a frequent diner, perhaps visiting a couple of times each month.
My wife and I recently enjoyed a meal at Ignite, seated at their lively chef’s counter, where we had a chance to converse with Corporate Chef Bradley Gilmore. “Our culinary philosophy centers around highlighting the pure taste of food cooked over an open wood fire. We believe in minimal intervention, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine. We keep our preparations clean and true to the essence of each ingredient,” Gilmore articulated.
Although Ignite is categorized as New American cuisine, its approach is reminiscent of a refined Italian kitchen—featuring a curated selection of high-quality, exceptionally fresh ingredients, prepared simply and classically to elevate the natural flavors rather than overshadow them with excessive culinary manipulation. This is not to suggest that Chef Gilmore lacks gourmet finesse; he clearly possesses it. However, at Ignite, the focus is on the integrity of the ingredients and the wood-fired cooking technique.
This culinary approach resonates deeply with me, and it naturally aligns with the concept of healthier dining. “While we don’t specifically market ourselves as a ‘healthy’ restaurant, our culinary style and ingredient choices make it inherently easy to dine healthily here. For instance, our menu is exceptionally Keto-friendly. Dishes like our ribeye and rotisserie chicken are perfectly suited for that dietary approach. Our vegetable preparations are also ideal; we avoid heavy butter finishes, preferring olive oil for cooking. We find that olive oil enhances the natural taste of vegetables like broccoli, for example,” Gilmore elaborated.
Gilmore also pointed out specific menu items that are inherently lighter and healthier, such as the scallops wrapped in delicate bok choy, prepared without butter, and the vibrant wild rice bowl, which can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with a lean protein like salmon or chicken.
Adding to its appeal, Ignite boasts one of the most enticing Happy Hour offerings in town and provides a diverse range of dining environments: the engaging chef’s counter, the main dining area, and a comfortable enclosed outdoor space. This variety ensures multiple appealing ways to savor some of the freshest and most flavorful food available. Here’s to enjoying delicious, wholesome meals. Cheers to that!
