Unlike some, I wasn’t as starstruck by the idea of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce opening a steakhouse in our city. I guess you could say I’m skeptical of fame-funded ventures. Plus, I like to champion the local guy who has fewer resources and more on the line when he opens a restaurant. After all, what do Mahomes and Kelce know about owning or operating a restaurant?
Well, probably nothing. That’s why they’ve partnered with Noble 33, an award-winning hospitality group behind a string of other successful and sexy restaurants across the country. Mahomes and Kelce might not know much about the restaurant world (and, I suppose that peeves me a bit as someone who has had to work the dishpit countless times), but upon my visit last week, it’s clear that Noble 33 does the heavy lifting, and does it well. Located in The Loews Hotel near the convention center (1500 Baltimore Ave., KCM0), my food was well cooked, and timed, and service was solid. With some Kansas City soul and nods to our Chiefs superstar duo (not overdone), the corporate steakhouse is, at first glance – impressive.
Nobble 33’s Tosh Berman, one of the restaurant group’s founders and lead interior designer, has created an undeniably stunning space, with gold and wood accents, and perfectly dim lighting. Two dining levels are connected by a marble staircase, with each floor featuring its own kitchen, though only the upstairs offers an open one. The first floor includes a beautiful 20-seat marble-topped bar and stage for live music. On my visit, the small but mighty chanteuse Tayla Rae Groves swayed through each dining level, singing classics like Aretha Franklin’s Respect and Jean Knight’s Mr. Big Stuff. Incredibly, a live band is present every evening at the restaurant.
Channeling old-school steakhouse glamour, the servers are dressed in pressed black slacks and white tailored blazers that are lined and embroidered with the restaurant’s name in a forest green that matches the banquettes. It’s feels like throwback to the popular fine dining traditions of the 70s, back when Kansas City’s Gilbert Robinson restaurant group entertained diners with white tablecloths and bread service. It’s a bit retro, a bit dashing…