The evening began with a car service as none of the four of us had any interest in driving to or from after we had consumed cocktails, beer and wines before, during and after the meal (great idea if you are going to really enjoy your beverages; otherwise the drive wasn't that bad at all). It was a dual birthday celebration and we are smarter as we get older!
Jonathan Justus has taken a quaint piece of real estate and turned it in to a refreshing change of pace from smaller town restaurants. Upscale: yes! Fresh, local ingredients: yes! Knowledgable staff and mixologists: certainly! Stuffy: not at all ... just the type of place I needed to unwind and enjoy a true dining experience.
So here is our evening in 140 character "bites" at a time (Twitter posts are shown in reverse order meaning the first are the last of the evening):
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite 1 of the best drinks/meals we've enjoyed in the #KC area (#Smithville)! Innovative, tastefully done, & locally-inspired! Thx #Justus & Co.
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Cleansed the palate afterwards w/a steamed #honey-infused #reisling (I think) ... it was great and really capped off a perfect night!
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite #Chocolate #Mint Decadence: chocolate #ganache, #champagne #mousse, chocolate/rose hip ice cream, mint milk, malted #Chantilly #Justus
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite #Coffee Bomb: #meringue sphere, almond and mocha #custard, #espresso brownie, #Kahlua/cherry, #Amaretto/raspberry, orange #clove ice-cream
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Each of the dishes were presented perfectly & tasted even better! A great sensory overload of locally-inspired flavors and smells #Justus
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite #Majinola American #Kobe #RibEye w/caramelized #shallot #Maytag blue cheese sauce, #potato #cauliflower #gratin, braised #Brussels’ sprouts
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Autumn Striper Bass: pan seared w/ #tomato #onion #chard #olive compote, #mushrooms, #saffron rice, frisée and a black-eyed pea #latke
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Vegetable Risotto w/braised #Brussel #sprouts, #mushrooms, #zucchini & onions (although she removed the shrooms) Clean Plate Club Member!
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite As if all of this wasn't enough ... here are the nominees for the main course: #Justus!
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite The #Maytag Blue Cheese salad, featuring blue cheese ice cream, is a true culinary accomplishment of tang, texture and savoryness! #Justus
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite 2 Was told to have the #Maytag Blue Cheese w/maple/Port vinaigrette, pear, blue cheese ice-cream, arugula, #Missouri black walnut tuile #WOW
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite ‘Nested Egg’ salad w/ #mustard vinaigrette, curly #endive, crispy soft boiled egg, #goose #confit (Xcellent), and potato bits
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Salads: BL had Mixed Baby Greens w/creamy #balsamic dressing, house pickled onion, #brewer’s yeast (that's a new 1 4 me) #JustusDrugstore
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite #Wine is getting low: Moving on to #Catena #Altos #Malbec from #Argentina ... bigger, bolder and hint of spice for some reason? Very good!
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Platter w/wild #persimmon spiced #rabbit terrine, housemade #sausage, smoked #Berkshire #bacon, pickled/grilled veggies, bone marrow mousse
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite 4 starters: #Mushroom #Gnocchi, swiss #chard, green #onions, #hen of the woods sauce, golden #chanterelle #JustusDrugstore
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite So what do you call more than 1 #amusebouche?
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite House made chip w/local berried jam on a pork pate for our #amusebouche @ #JustusDrugstore
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Yes, the one who does not like #gin has been frequenting the various #gins out there (#Hendricks and #Junipero are leading the pack)
- eatkc Jan 30, via HootSuite Starting w/ #French75, #Negroni, #OrinSwifts' #Prisoner, and Chocolate #Martini #food #wine #JustusDrugstore
Cheers!
