I was looking forward to dinner with a couple of colleagues one evening during a recent business trip in Kansas City — but the steak that I ordered was not worth $84.00, which included neither the tax nor the gratuity.
This Steak Was Not Worth $84. Restaurant Review.
We walked approximately 15 minutes from the hotel property at which we were staying to The Majestic Restaurant, which is housed in a historic building in the garment district of Kansas City.
On a plaque on the brick exterior wall of the building were the following words:
National Register of Historic Places
Wholesale District
HISTORIC
GARMENT
DISTRICT
J. Fitzpatrick Saloon Bullding
Architect: Thurtle and Thaye
1911
The full service bar and the dining area can both be viewed from the entrance to the restaurant. One can tell that this building is indeed historic. I was anticipating having an excellent dining experience.
After we were seated at a table, one member of the party suggested a cheese platter with a variety of cheeses as chosen by the chef, with house made accoutrement. I admittedly was not thrilled about that choice of starter; but I went along with it. I do have to admit that the white cheddar cheese on the right side of the wooden board was good. Brie and port wine cheese was also included. Ramekins of tapenade, bacon jam, sweet pickle slices, and garlic mashed carrots — as well as the spicy mustard with kalamata olives — elevated this starter. $16.00
A choice of house salad or the soup of the day was included with the meal at no charge. I decided on the house salad, which included mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and a choice of salad dressing. I chose creamy Italian. I did not mind at all that the salad dressing actually was not creamy. The components of the salad were all fresh: the mixed greens were not wilted; and the cucumber and tomatoes had no blemishes. The salad was good; but rather plain.
Both of my colleagues ordered the steak soup, which was not the soup of the day. The soup contained local grass-fed prime rib with tomato, onion, celery, and carrot. I normally do not enjoy beef soup because the beef is usually fatty and stringy; but the beef in this soup was so good that I wished I had ordered a cup for myself instead of the aforementioned salad. Did I say a cup? Give me at least a bowl of this steak soup. That would have been divine. Upcharge of $2.00
One colleague ordered the 4-ounce Petite Twin Filets, which was ordered medium; but they came out with the temperature much redder inside. The midwest premium choice — not prime — aged beef was dry aged for 14 days. Roasted garlic grits was one of the two options of sides that were included at no extra charge with the meal; but asparagus was eight dollars extra. $42.00 plus eight dollars
The other colleague and I were intrigued about the 14-ounce Prime Ribeye, which was dry aged for 32 days. In addition to eight extra dollars for the asparagus, the roasted wild mushrooms was an additional $16.00. He enjoyed it. To me, it looked…passable. $84.00 plus $24.00
Both the mashed potato with gravy and the broccoli florets were included at no extra charge with my 14-ounce Prime Ribeye, which was dry aged for 32 days. Even worse that its first appearance was when I cut into the steak. It was very veiny and fatty — too much so for my taste — and the meat was red and too underdone for me. The taste of the beef was good; but it did not seem spectacular. I could only eat a few bites before I traded my steak with the colleague who ordered the 4-ounce Petite Twin Filets. They were too underdone for me as well; but I enjoyed them significantly better than that sorry excuse for a steak. The mashed potato was dry — to the point that it almost seemed like it was left out overnight and formed a crust, which was fine with me — and the gravy was nothing special. The broccoli was good. $84.00
Dining was accompanied with live music by a pianist.
Additional information pertaining to the interesting history of this building can be accessed here.
Jazz Club
When a member of the staff noticed my camera, she encouraged me to explore both the downstairs and upstairs of the establishment.
On the way downstairs to what is known as the Jazz Club, we were warned to hold on to the handrail, as people have fallen down the stairs in the past due to the uneven steps.
Tables were all set in the Jazz Club at the bottom of the stairs.
The Jazz Club was not being used at the time when I was there…
…but it was ready for the next event, whose focus is on Kansas City Jazz as played by local musicians.
The venue also has its own fully stocked bar.
The Pendergast Cigar Club
The Pendergast Cigar Club is located upstairs and has several rooms, which may be reserved by members for events.
Members of the club can store their own cigars in the humidor on site, which offers a selection of cigars that changes continuously.
Named for legendary political boss Tom Pendergast — who would meet here with James Fitzpatrick, who was the original owner of the building and saloon — The Pendergast Cigar Club is the only place in Kansas City where members can enjoy a fine cigar indoors with a fully stocked bar that features a curated collection of almost 400 types of whiskey.
With access to the full dinner menu of The Majestic, members can dine in the club; or they can simply stop by to enjoy a fine cigar and scotch in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Final Boarding Call
If you enjoy eating fatty red meat, then perhaps the Prime Ribeye would be ideal for you. I do recognize that I am likely not the typical meat lover, as I prefer leaner steaks that are cooked at least at a medium temperature; but based on my experience, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend dining at The Majestic Restaurant — primarily because the food is substantially overpriced despite the meals including two side dishes. The service was very good; but I felt like the person who served me did not accurately describe the steak to me — almost to the point of misleading me. I would rather have ordered a filet mignon.
Members of the staff are more than happy to take patrons on a short tour of the establishment. That the current owners of The Majestic Restaurant have gone to great lengths to ensure that this piece of Kansas City history is preserved is reassuring that the next generation will enjoy this jewel from the past.
The Majestic Restaurant
931 Broadway Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
United States of America
1-816-221-1888
Operating Hours
Open Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 in the afternoon through 9:00 in the evening
Open Friday through Saturday from 5:00 in the afternoon through 10:00 in the evening
Free parking is available at a parking lot nearby.
All photographs ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
