‘I’m incredibly happy’: Westport restaurant finally opening amid flurry of new venues

Westport will soon be home to several new venues.

The owners of Bistro 303 took over a space next door two years ago, planning to open a new concept there this summer.

Then the pandemic hit.

So they scratched that idea and took their time to design a new concept with a menu featuring a variety of cuisines.

“I’m incredibly happy to get it done but I’m glad we got to take our time,” said Jeffrey Schmitz, owner with Gene Switzer. “It is going to be so bright and colorful.”

The Peacock, 301 Westport Road, is scheduled to open on Nov. 19.

Chef Brian Mehl has been in the Kansas City restaurant industry for more than two decades, including stints at The Classic Cup Cafe on the Country Club Plaza, at Plate restaurant in East Brookside, and The Pressed Penny Tavern in the West Plaza area.

He will offer a variety of cuisines including dishes with Thai, African and Middle Eastern influences.

Appetizers will include beet hummus, pork belly and fried Brussels sprouts. It also will have salads.

Entrees will include pastas such beet gnocchi with honey lime butter, leeks, pecans, goat cheese, nigella seeds and fried chickpeas; Peri Peri chicken; and Canadian salmon (with creamy parsnip, pickled red cabbage, grilled broccolini, prosciutto and anchovy sauce).

For dessert, look for pecan oatmeal cookie pies, and Tia Maria triple chocolate ice cream.

It will have handcrafted cocktails such as the White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha martini with vanilla vodka, raspberry liquor, a shot of espresso and Irish cream.

Happy Hour will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and feature $7 small plates and drink specials.

Michael Flinn will be general manager and operating partner.

The 800-square-foot space will seat about 50 people.

Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Appetizers and drinks will be available starting at 4 p.m. with dinner service starting at 5 p.m. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

Ragazza Food & Wine had formerly occupied the space before relocating to 4301 Main St.

In other Westport updates:

▪ The landlord for the former HopCat and TikiCat has signed a new tenant.

Tentatively called Fountain Haus, it plans to open in the 10,000-square-foot-plus spot at 401 Westport Road. HopCat and TikiCat shut down at the start of the pandemic and never reopened.

The owner of Fountain Haus did not return phone calls.

▪ Officials with Taco Bell Cantina still won’t confirm that they are coming to the Westley on Broadway, at Broadway and Westport Road, but they have started hiring.

▪ Nashville-based Tin Roof has resumed work on its new spot at 424 Westport Road. The owners did not have an opening date. Construction had been put on hold due to COVID-19.

The restaurant and bar will feature live music.

This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 9:57 AM.