Veritas Whiskey & Wine Grill:

By Jackson Bonar

The Allure of American Fusion, Curated Wine & Whiskey

Veritas, in Latin, means “truth,” and the truth is, Veritas Whiskey & Wine Gril is a great place to drink, dine, relax and unwind.

Located in Overland Park in the Prairie Fire complex on West 135th Street, Veritas boasts an outdoor patio opening into the bar and dining room with an oversized garage door. Weather permitting, opening the door creates an open-air vibe, as described by Rolfe Loomis, owner of Veritas. Elegant crystal chandeliers meet the eye as you walk in the door while the chic dining room is decorated by adorning black walls.

Loomis brings extensive culinary experience, having worked as an executive chef for high-end restaurants on both coasts. He aims to offer high-quality food and beverages at consumer-friendly prices, sourcing local ingredients whenever possible. This includes their steaks and produce; however, some items such as their seafood are flown in fresh to ensure a quality culinary selection.

To sample Veritas’ high-end mixology, we started our dining experience with a Lavender Haze cocktail – gin, elderflower, lavender simple syrup and lime served like a martini. The flavor profile is both sweet and seductive, offering a delightful and alluring taste. Veritas has one of the largest selections of whiskey in the city that features more than 200 bottles. With over 170 bottles in the bar, a two-ounce pour is priced between $12 and $65 per drink, depending upon the selection; higher-end varieties are available upon request. Whiskey flights are available daily, and custom whiskey-tasting experiences can be booked for groups up to 20 people to showcase different profiles including spirits made in Missouri and Kansas.

Dining at Veritas is a unique experience, offering a diverse selection of entrées that cater to a variety of tastes. We started with one of the small plates, the Honey Whipped Goat Cheese appetizer. Rich and creamy goat cheese whipped to a light and fluffy consistency is topped with honey-infused fresh herbs and spices and served with sliced, toasted rosemary focaccia bread. Another dish we had the opportunity to sample, the Seafood Paella, tastes as if we could have been magically transported and dining in Spain. It’s an ample portion that feeds three or four people with whitefish, shrimp and mussels slow cooked in a tomato and saffron broth with peas, onions, peppers and paella rice. Absolutely magnifico! The menu also includes traditional offerings such as a variety of salads, handhelds and larger entrées including a wood-fired grilled Sirloin Steak and Grilled Halibut with a lemon caper butter sauce, just to mention a couple.

Let’s talk about wine to go with dinner. Veritas offers a large selection of wine suitable for any palate. Guests have more than 200 bottles to choose from, and Veritas has a large selection available by the glass. Tuesdays are Wine Night; any bottle on the by-the-glass wine list is only $25 a bottle.

Some of Veritas Whiskey and Wine Grill’s special offerings include Happy Hour daily from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. with food and drink specials. Sunday’s Boozy Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. includes eggs Benedict, house-made cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and many more favorites. Mondays are $10 Hand Helds and old fashioneds, and don’t forget Whiskey Wednesdays with 25 percent off all allocated bottles. Live entertainment is featured every first Friday all evening long.

The space at Veritas is versatile; sections are available for smaller groups for lunch or dinner while the entire space may be rented for larger events. Outside catering is also an option and offers custom menu planning. The hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.: Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For further information and menu previews, visit veritaskc.com.