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Soiree Steak & Oyster House: A Unique Blend of Cuisine, Jazz and Fun!

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Just as the name implies, Soiree Steak & Oyster House in Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District offers guests a festive ambiance, complete with swanky bourbon lounge, striking feature bar, open display kitchen and stage for weekly musical acts.

“We’re in the jazz district and I love music. Chefs always have music playing in the kitchen. So, when we were considering concepts for the restaurant, it was a perfect fit to combine food and music. We like to say we do it for the love of food and music,” said chef owner Anita Moore. “There are so many talented artists in Kansas City, and we want to do our best to work with as many
as possible.” 

Moore, who’s from Kansas City, has familial roots in Louisiana, Georgia and Arkansas, and draws from that southern cooking style that she learned from her grandmother growing up, bringing a fusion of traditional flavors of the Deep South with the spices and staples from Louisiana’s Cajun cuisine. She’s earned her chef competence working for a number of well-known KC restaurants and hotels including Argosy Hotel Casino Kansas City and Westin Crown Center Kansas City before opening the first Soiree in Smithville five years ago. “We were open up there for two years, but when this location became available, we knew it was right to be more centrally located in the city. I’m thankful many of our Smithville customers come see us here.”

Open since 2019 at 1512 E. 18th Street, this very large restaurant, bar, patio and lounge at the corner of Paseo and 18th Street is the first establishment you see as you enter the 18th and Vine Jazz District from the west. Soiree Steak & Oyster House has a strong partnership with the district, featuring local artists, musicians and jazz students. Guests describe the restaurant as friendly, welcoming and fun, but you can’t have a party without delicious food! 

We had more than we should during a recent tasting. Thanks to Chef Moore and Executive Chef Tony Hawes, we were treated to a Southern feast. Because seafood is perhaps my favorite food, this was a lunch to remember. 

We kicked off lunch with the Crab Cakes, what Chef Moore describes as “all crab,” and she’s not kidding. Only slightly mixed with a small amount of breadcrumbs and spices, the crab is the star of the show, some of the best I’ve had. 

Next was the BBQ shrimp. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get your napkins ready. Called a New Orleans favorite on the menu, these delicious shrimp are bathed in a house-made creole butter with Worcestershire sauce, lemon, lots of flavored butter and more and served with toasted French bread. I’m so glad Chef Moore left traditions behind and removed the shrimps’ heads for us persnickety Midwesterners, but you still need your hands to remove the shells, kept on for flavor, and that’s just fine with me!

We sampled two entrees; if I hadn’t been so full, I would have cleaned my plate. The Hawaiian Ribeye was inspired by a favorite menu item that the two Soiree chefs have been longing for since the closing of Houston’s restaurant on the Country Club Plaza in 2017. The two culinary experts got together in the kitchen to recreate this beloved and flavorful steak, working to remember the flavors and inserting their own tastes, including a bourbon glaze for a sweet and smoky flavor. This was one of the most flavorful steaks I’ve had, and it’s a must try for steak lovers!

The Pasta Paseo is a fun menu item because guests get to choose their sauce option. Chef Moore says she loves catering to all of her guests, and this is just another example. We sampled the whisky alfredo sauce, creamy with a slight spice; the other option is a roasted red pepper sauce. The fettuccini pasta, another delicious dish comes with ample shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage. 

I can’t omit two very important things: Kelli Moechoe, expert bartender at Soiree, fixed us up with two amazing drinks. The Purple Passion, a fun name, was a delight to drink and came alongside a sexy and gorgeous Smoked Old Fashioned. When you walk through the front door you’re greeted by an impressive bar, and it’s fitting because the restaurant’s name is Soiree! Open only in the evenings, except weekend days with a fabulous brunch menu, Soiree features its bar and new bourbon lounge to guests looking for a fun place to gather.

We finished our tasting with a signature item that Soiree has become known for, their oysters. Flown in twice a week, these sweet petites from Maryland are a customer favorite, and now I know why. First, the Chargrilled Oysters are coated with a delicious herb butter sauce and melted parmesan cheese. Nothing not to love about these! And when we tried the Oysters on the Half Shell, we were pleasantly surprised with another flavorful addition from the chefs. Along with the traditional cocktail sauce, they serve the oysters with a pinch of horseradish and a house-made watermelon mignonette of pickled watermelon rinds and onions. When you douse your oyster in this incredible sauce and slurp it down while listening to live local jazz, you’ll know you’re at a splashy party! That’s why Soiree Kansas City is not just a friendly neighborhood restaurant, it’s a one-of-a-kind dining destination.

Bourbon Lounge

Fridays and Saturdays
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Elite list of bourbons
Live music

Live Music/Dining Room

Fridays and Saturdays
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Reservations preferred

Brunch

Saturdays and Sundays
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Menu items include shrimp and grits, chicken and biscuits, omelets, fried catfish with red beans and rice

Soiree airport location

Soon to open at the new KCI Airport
Grab & Go fare

soireekc.com
@soireesteakhousekc
@soireesteakandoysterhouse

Written by: Megan Neher

Journalist-turned-PR-professional Megan Neher has never forgotten her true first love: writing. Today, Megan owns her own PR firm, Megan Neher Public Relations; she’s a wife, mom, marketer, student and spends a lot of time cleaning up after her four pets and two teenagers. Her dream is to live on a tropical beach somewhere where she can stroll barefoot to a nearby grass hut for a fish taco and margarita.