Westsiiiiiiiiiiide

Last month was my pick, and I chose The Westside Local, at 17th and Summit. This part of town is great with its rolling hills, hidden parks, and great restaurants. So I called for reservations, and when asked if I wanted to sit inside or out, I quickly checked the weather, saw a break in the heat, said a prayer to Gary Lezak (and a few Our Stormys and Hail Breezys), and picked the beer garden.

We brought Luke, and I was grateful that the restaurant was accommodating for our little dude. Happily they sat us at the far end of the garden, where we had a little room for Luke to wander when he got squirmy, and a large fan to drown out his cute squeals as a learns how to cope with impatience, the little stinker (read: annoying screaming, if he wasn't my kid). The restaurants garden was also just through the doorway at our end, so we could take a look and be jealous of how much better their garden is doing than ours - show-offs. Most importantly our corner gave plenty of room for Mom to show us all how to Bernie.

Under the comfort of the pergola, where a huge grape vine -- vine? -- where a huge grape tree roamed with full bunches of grapes, so fantastic in shape and color that I didn't believe they were real until Sara ate one, we started with cheese and mussels from our forgetful (but still dedicated) All-Stars. Great cheese, perfectly cut (heh, heh). Solid on the cheese. Mussels were also terrific, a little kick to them, if I remember, and the broth they were served in was perfect for bread sopping.

The menu selection was satisfactory, especially with it all being local, which I imagine gets some artistic license, because I got the trout, and I am not sure where the nearest trout farm is to KC. But maybe there is one close by. Maybe. The trout was great, very crispy on the outside, not overcooked on the inside, well seasoned. But the best part of my meal was the carrots. The lavender carrots: just-north-of-subtle lavender flavor on these perfectly tender, sweet carrots.

I also had some of mom's BLT, which was great. Good thick bacon, tomato jelly. Lettuce.

I had some of Sara's also, but I don't remember what it was. I think it was good, but I forgot. It was a month ago.

Luke had the hummus plate, which was great. And there were these like-pita crackers that were very good.

For dessert, we had bread pudding, and then we ate Josh's/Erin's/Mallory's bread pudding. It was delightful, especially Josh's/Erin's/Mallory's, suckers.

The service was good, our waitress was attentive and friendly, and didn't make us feel ostracized for bringing a toddler to a nice restaurant. Beer selection was good - like most decent KC restaurants, a healthy line-up of Boulevard, and some other crafts for good measure. Prices were reasonable for a nice restaurant.

Company was great as always. Sad that Grandpa couldn't join us, but special guest Mallory restored the balance. And mom ended the pleasant evening with another Bernie lesson on the street. 

Bonus: the market next door has huge piñatas!!!

I give The Westside Local a 4.7 out of 5. I mean, I wrote about the carrots - the carrots!!!  Justin, you nailed it again... you always do.

I leave you with this from the sage American artist, and apparent Westside Local aficionado, Tupac Shakur:

Throw it up y'all, throw it up, throw it up
Let's show these fools how we do this on that west side
Cause you and I know it's tha best side