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KitchenK
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By Christine
Imbs
Opening Kitchen K in the old Merchandise Mart building wasn’t what
Pablo Weiss had in mind. But when opportunity knocked, he opened
the door. What he saw was the chance to get in on the ground floor
of the largest residential development in St. Louis—literally.
“With lofts being developed in the building, they wanted a restaurant
on the bottom floor,” Weiss remembers. “It was a good opportunity.
Not only would we be part of this tremendous restoration project,
but we’d also be the only restaurant next to the [Renaissance Grand
Hotel].”
Pablo Weiss, Kitchen K co-owner, shown at left. Kitchen
K, located at the ground floor of the old Merchandise
Mart building, offers a large menu, a good selection
of spirits and atmosphere. |
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Weiss knows a thing or two about opportunities. In the mid-1990s
he opened the successful Hot Locust Cantina and its spin-offs, The
Side Door and Pablo’s. For a person originally planning to become
a history professor, it was a strange jump. “I actually don’t have
any formal culinary training, but I do have a history degree,” he
says, laughing. “Fortunately, this is one business you can get into
with a history degree, or by being a musician.”
Having an artist for a partner also helps. Like Weiss, Joe Papendick
has no formal restaurant training. What he brings to the table is
a natural talent for creating unique spaces, as well as culinary
feasts. “Joe is our chef, although he really doesn’t consider himself
one,” says Weiss. “But he does have all the qualifications, and
his food is certainly chef-like.”
Papendick’s menu is large and features a wide variety of ethnic
flavors. Of course, the standard salad and burger fare is available
for about $7.95, but there are so many unique possibilities that
going the usual route may not do Kitchen K justice. Weiss suggests
the baked portobelos, with artichoke and asiago stuffing, or an
eggplant and goat cheese melt on black bread—both for the same cost
as the K-burger. Both are included on the everyday menu, along with
Southwest Seafood Chowder ($5.95) and a Blackened Chicken Sandwich
($7.50).
The entrees offer an even greater opportunity for something different.
Weiss says a favorite among customers is the Coriander-encrusted
Mahi Mahi ($18.95), and the Jamaican Jerk Chicken ($15.95). These,
too, are served everyday. But don’t neglect the daily specials or
you may miss out on a Jamaican Reuben ($8.25), or perhaps Blackened
Mako Shark ($17.50).
In addition to a large menu, Kitchen K also offers a good selection
of spirits. There are 21 wines available—10 red, seven white, and
four sparkling. With the exception of the sparkling wines, all are
available by the glass ($4.00 - $9.75) or by the bottle ($16.00
- $39.00). The beer selection is impressive also. Along with Anheuser-Busch
products, try brews such as Paulaner Hefeweizen, Duvel, La Fin Du
Monde and Boulevard Wheat.
Although the food alone is a good reason to visit Kitchen K, the
atmosphere is also well worth the trip. Weiss and Papendick have
taken a 5,700-square-foot warehouse—with 22-foot ceilings—and somehow
created a comfortable atmosphere where people love to congregate.
“We have a lot of regulars, and most of my employees worked with
me in other businesses,” Weiss says. “So we’re like a big family.
That and the design makes this a very comfortable place.”
Kitchen K offers diners and staff plenty of opportunity to mix.
The open kitchen brings food preparation out front, and the diner-inspired
lunch counter encourages conversation between customers and staff.
You’ll also find a large bar area to meet with friends, and a mezzanine
overlooking the dining room for parties of up to 25. If it’s people
watching you enjoy, the 12-foot-high windows offer an unobstructed
view of passers by.
“People really seem to like what we’ve done here,” says Weiss. “We’ve
become a neighborhood hubbub of activity. And that’s exactly what
we’d hoped for.”
Kitchen
K
Bar & Restaurant
1000 Washington Ave.
Monday-Thursday: 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m.
Bar closes at 1 a.m. daily
Closed Sunday
(314) 241-9900
http://www.kitchen-k.com
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Christine Imbs is a freelance writer based in St. Louis.
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