Ventana Gourmet Grill, Excelsior Springs
November 2020
Sisterly ingenuity began Ventana Gourmet Grill. That same creativity has kept business booming—even during Covid.
Growing up in Excelsior Springs, Jill Rickart and Wendy Baldwin didn’t anticipate that their love of food would lure them back. When searching for a location for a restaurant, the circa 1890s building caught their attention. Exposed brick walls, an original tin ceiling and pine floors tied into its historic vibe.
“We started with a small menu and specials. Over time, we added the most popular specials to our permanent menu,” says Jill. “And we use our own proprietary seasoning blend in many dishes.”
My husband and I began with bruschetta prepared with tomatoes and robust roasted red peppers, a nice twist, and oh-so-good smoked chicken dip, velvety and satisfyingly smoky. Next, the beautifully-plated wedge salad delivered a taste sensation with bacon and blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing and balsamic glaze. The generous spinach salad came topped with hard-boiled egg, bacon and sweet vinegar-oil dressing.
Unquestionably, the “Sugar Burger” lived up to its reputation. Bookended between two maple Belgian waffles, the brown sugar-glazed beef complimented savory sautéed onions, cheddar cheese and bacon. Diners have frequently ordered this must-try as an appetizer.
Another stand-out, the “Blue Balsamic Steak,” with its impeccably seared crust, came accompanied by grilled zucchini and mashed potatoes. Made-to-order pasta featured house-made alfredo and grilled chicken. Dusted with a hint of Cajun seasoning, it definitely registered as comfort food. Whole salmon is flown in weekly. Sides include yummy potato salad made the old-fashioned way with egg, mayo and pickle relish.
A full bar features “Martini Mondays” presenting chocolate and elderflower variations. The wine list contains approximately 30 labels from around the globe. Additional specials span Tuesday’s all-you-can-eat boiled shrimp to prime rib on weekends.
Leave room for cheesecake. Wendy has evolved the family recipe into nearly a dozen rotating flavors. Hits include gluten-free caramel pecan, peanut butter chocolate and pumpkin during the holidays.
“The staff is very aware of cleanliness and takes extra precautions,” says Jill regarding Covid. “This spring, our staff worked half-time, but we paid them for full time. Thankfully, we reopened May 4 to one of our busiest months ever.”
Visit VentanaGourmetGrill.com for more information.