Brett has no regrets about restaurant
Restaurant never became what Brett envisioned
By JEFFREY FLANAGAN
The Kansas City Star
When George Brett got into the restaurant business four years ago, he envisioned his place to be the Kansas City version of “Cheers.”
But it never quite worked out that way, and now “George Brett’s” at 210 W. 47th St. on the Plaza is giving way to a new restaurant called “210.” And the new place will go on with the original investors, except for Brett, who is pulling out.
“I don’t have any regrets,” Brett said. “I’ve essentially lived in Kansas City since 1974 and never really invested in anything here except houses. I wanted to try investing in something like a restaurant, a place I could hang out at, too.
“But I never really felt comfortable doing that. I’d go there for lunch all the time, but I think you can count on the number of two hands how many times I went there for dinner and had a few beers.”
Brett said his lifestyle changes were the main reason he didn’t show up more at his restaurant at night.
“To be honest, with a wife and three kids,” he said, “I had much more fun spending nights at home having a cookout with them rather than going out to a restaurant, any restaurant.
“Plus, it just never felt relaxing when I was at the restaurant. You feel like you constantly have to be ‘on,’ especially when it’s your name out front. It’s not like when you go out to other places and you can just relax and be yourself.”
“George Brett’s” was billed as an upscale sports bar but wound up in competition with “The 810 Zone,” which opened less than a year ago on the Plaza.
“I have nothing against the guys at WHB or that place,” Brett said. “I congratulate them on a good concept.”
Crouch drafted
Former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch was drafted third overall by Texas, which will play in the upcoming All American Football League, which debuts in April. The six-team league is trying to be a new minor-league football outfit.
Former Missouri defensive lineman Daryl Whittington was drafted in the fourth round by Alabama, and former Missouri offensive lineman Joel Clinger was drafted in the fifth round by Tennessee.
Also picked were former Missouri linebacker James Kinney (Texas, 45th round) and former Kansas State wide receiver Davin Dennis (Michigan, 49th round).
Damon honored
Former Royal Johnny Damon was honored Sunday night at the 85th annual New York baseball writers’ dinner, where he was awarded the Joan Payson Award for community service. Payson was the former owner of the New York Mets.
Damon was honored for his work with wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan (Damon is a national spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project).
“For the freedom that we have, we all should pay more attention to people who go out there and fight for it,” Damon said at the dinner.
Damon’s father, you’ll recall, served in Vietnam.
To reach Jeffrey Flanagan call 816-234-4492 and leave a message or send e-mail to email at jflanagan@kcstar.com
