FOOD

European Comfort in Midtown KC.

Stewart Lane: Food is a very personal affair. As a former executive chef, I can promise you that every dish made for a guest contains a part of your past, a piece of your soul, and a connection to you on an intimate level. This is no truer than for those brave enough to start a restaurant of their own. Chef Amante Domingo and Heather White, also of The Russell, pour their creative talents and their own personal story into their newest venture, Tailleur, located at the corner of Westport Road and Main Street in midtown Kansas City.

Emily Lane: The building that now houses Tailleur was constructed in 1928 and is effortlessly cozy and chic. Heather has adorned much of the space with riding boots and other equestrian details, an homage to her horseback riding past. This Ralph-Lauren-esque style is mixed with marble tabletops, a leather banquette, an expansive glass pastry case, and mismatched toile plates from which dishes are served, making you feel that you are a guest in a boutique European hotel.

SL: Heather greeted us warmly and whisked us to our table on the brick patio, which Chef Amante laid himself by hand. Our server, Alec, quickly arrived with short glasses of wine as he shared some of the highlights of the menu. We couldn’t start our meal without some Pomme Frites, super-crispy skinny fries, dusted with house seasoning and a touch of truffle, served with house-made ketchup and a mustardy aioli. We followed this quickly with a steaming bowl of mussels nestled into a deep pool of unctuous broth with crushed red and yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced garlic, onions, and white wine. I had to order some extra bread, house made, of course, to ensure none of that delicious liquid went to waste.

EL: Sitting at our table, I observed many of the others around us, and I was captivated by the slower pace of dining, the conversations between tables and with servers, and the general ease that was on display. It was such an important reminder that places like Tailleur exist to help us relax and unwind. Unquestionably, the past 18 months have been stressful for most everyone, and in that moment my worries seemed to slip away, even if just for a bit. You can tell Heather has a gift for creating a community atmosphere where anyone is welcome, and she will happily come sit with you to help you warm up to a new environment. And, of course, she’ll happily give suggestions on what to select from Amante’s European-inspired menu.

SL: On the day we visited, we ordered generously (perhaps what was more appropriate for four people than two, but we couldn’t resist!). We started with Seared Salmon Niçoise Salad and the Chicken Paillard. The Nicoise was a classic in composition and elegant in execution. Perfectly seared and finished salmon laid on a bed of crisp greens with marinated haricot verts, sweet tomato wedges, and hard-boiled eggs. The potatoes were served two ways; petite fingerlings were roasted for a crisp outside and delicate inside, while the purple potatoes were deep-fried, resulting in a beautiful crunch and pillowy soft texture. Chicken Paillard, a dish after my own heart, was stunning in presentation and flavor. A thin chicken cutlet, breaded and crispy fried, topped with a salad of peppery arugula, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, shaved onion, and fried capers, all dressed with fresh lemon and olive oil. Chef Amante knows how to build flavors without creating an overwhelming dish.

Salmon Nicoise with roasted vegetables, potatoes, green beans, egg, and herb balsamic

Then, we also tried the French Dip, which is one of those sandwiches where everything can go wrong if just one ingredient is not up to snuff. With Chef Amante’s French Dip, nothing is left to chance, and everything is made in-house. Tender shaved roast beef with a mustardy horseradish sauce on house-made bread that has just the right structure for soaking up the ethereal au jus. This sandwich is the embodiment of the love and dedication the team at Tailleur put into every dish they make.

EL: I have a reputation for ordering more than one dessert, and luckily for me, Tailluer doesn’t make you choose. We enjoyed the dessert trio, where you select three items from their impressive pastry menu. Our favorites were the “24 Karrot” Cake and the Flourless Chocolate Torte, both of which were indulgent but not cloyingly sweet. By this point I wasn’t sure if I needed a long walk, a nap, or both. We were satiated by the food, the charming atmosphere, and the kind people making Tailluer such a welcoming place. With plans for an upstairs lounge area, which will also operate as

an event space, Heather and Amante have set their newest endeavor up for success in the future as well as the present. Put this one on your calendar for a night you need a local escape, courtesy of the fine team at Tailleur.

Tailluer is located at 3933 Main Street in Midtown Kansas City, and is open Monday-Saturday from 11:00am-9:00pm. More information can be found at tailleuronmain.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Emily & Stewart Lane are Kansas City natives who have an affection for hospitality. Stewart, a former executive chef, makes his career at SMG and loves to cook for friends and family, and Emily manages community impact and philanthropy at JE Dunn Construction. Along with their daughters, Evie and Catharine, they live a life filled with food, culture, and creativity.

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