JoyceKC: Gastropub for Southwest Blvd., Arris Pizza for Lenexa

Blvd Tavern, a locally-owned gastropub, plans to open at 320 Southwest Blvd. in mid-February.

“To me a gastropub is a comfortable, casual bar with high-quality chef-driven food. Great fresh local and seasonal food,” said Derek Nacey, who is Blvd Tavern’s executive chef and owner with his wife Meghan, who also will serve as general manager. “I think the Crossroads neighborhood has matured a lot with people doing some very good things - the Rieger (Hotel Grill & Exchange), Micheal Smith - and I wanted to be a part of that.”

The native of Rochester, New York, moved to Kansas City 15 years ago after graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He worked for such upscale restaurants as Fedora Cafe & Bar, Zin, and Cafe Allegro, before moving to Fayetteville, Ark., to serve as an executive chef for two years. He returned to Kansas City in 2007 to become director of culinary for Houlihan’s.

Blvd Tavern will mostly serve small plates ranging from about $6 to $20, as well as larger plates designed to share.

The new design will have a rustic feel with custom built tables made of reclaimed wood.

Anita Bates of Colliers International handled the negotiations for landlord DST Realty Inc.

Arris Pizza coming to Lenexa

Arris Pizza was founded in Jefferson City in 1961, just across the street from the state capitol and a couple of blocks from the town’s movie theater. That location has expanded several times and now occupies four buildings on the block with seating for 200 people.

The company later added locations in Columbia, Osage Beach and Springfield.

Now new franchisees, Matt and Anne Alexiou, plan to open an Arris Pizza at 12812 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa, by mid-January.

Arris Pardalos, a native of Greece, used a Greek-style dough made from a family recipe for his pizza crust. The restaurants now serve a variety of specialty Greek pizzas including the Zeus (Greek sausage, Roma tomatoes, artichoke hearts and feta), and The Atlas (marinated chicken breast, breakfast bacon, fresh spinach and Roma tomatoes).

Other menu items include charbroiled chicken salad, baked subs, wings, Gyro melts, pastas, and American and Greek dinners.

“I’m from Jefferson City and we started talking about bringing Arris Pizza to Kansas City on our honeymoon four years ago. A majority of items are made in-house, so everything is very fresh. And it is very family-oriented,” said Matt Alexiou, who also owns a construction company, A & V Construction, and is doing the remodeling for the new restaurant.

This story was originally published November 24, 2014 at 12:18 PM with the headline "JoyceKC: Gastropub for Southwest Blvd., Arris Pizza for Lenexa."