Review of 75th Street Brewery in Kansas City, Missouri

When looking for a pub that combines appetizing food with a wide selection of quality microbrews, medium-sized cities can be frustrating. The gastropub concept has not quite caught on it seems, except in larger, more cosmopolitan areas. After disappointing pub experiences in Lincoln and Oklahoma City, we decided to try our luck again at the 75th Street Brewery in Kansas City.

Would the food preparation consist of a guy in the back frying up ordinary burgers and buffalo wings? Blessedly no, or so we guessed after taking a look at the brewery's food menu. By previewing the menu online, we found the food selection impressive, indicating input from a true chef, with gourmet touches in every category. So we sauntered through the doors hopeful to have a win-win brew pub experience at last.

The 75th Street Brewery scored high marks for the quality and speed of service. Our server was friendly and helpful, but avoided pestering us. The appetizers we selected, crab cakes and Bavarian pretzels, arrived in record time. As we discussed the options for sampling the microbrews on tap, our server remained patient and accommodating.

Though my dining companion was not overly impressed with the ales he tasted, he decided that a pint of the house IPA was worth ordering with his meal. And the meal he ordered--a seafood special of salmon and green onion risotto--was exceptionally delicious. The forkful I tasted confirmed it was indeed a chef's handiwork. The seafood and IPA complimented one another well.

The halibut fish and chips that I ordered did not disappoint either. The basil aoili sauce on the side was a nice touch that gave needed flavor to the ale-battered fish. I ordered sweet potato fries instead of regular potato fries, and found them an appropriately flavorful side dish. Since the plate across from me was even better, next time I would probably opt for one of the day's specials or order an array of appetizers as a meal.

Overall, the brewery was a very positive experience. The service and food quality were excellent, and the microbrews that my dining companion tried were mostly above average. He followed his meal with a five ounce sample of the raspberry wheat ale, which he found quite sweet, deciding it suited him as a dessert beer. We left full and happy, thankful to have found a moderately priced brew pub with great food and good beer under one roof. We only wish we didn't have to travel 200 miles to Kansas City to dine at a gastropub again. Nevertheless, we will be returning to the 75th Street Brewery the next chance we get.

75th Street Brewery
520 W. 75th Street
Kansas City, Missouri
(816) 523-4677
website: http://75thstreet.com