Blue Grotto
6324 Brookside Plz, Kansas City, MO, 64113
Blue Grotto Menu
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Address :
6324 Brookside Plz
Kansas City, MO, 64113 - Phone (816) 361-3473
- Website https://www.bluegrottobrookside.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :3:00 pm - 1:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Chris D.
Clearly Blue Grotto has a polarizing effect on people. I read all of the reviews and decided to try it for myself. One thing that needs to be understood; if you are going to Blue Grotto looking for your typical American style pizza, don't bother. Stay home and order pizza hut or go some place like pizza shoppe. This is real pizza. I know that doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but let me state again; this is real pizza. Just like crunchy ground beef tacos are about as Mexican as Al Sharpton; the doughy, heavily sauced, cheese bombs that the vast majority of Americans know as pizza are about as Italian as Ghandi. If you want to take issue with the toppings offered or the service provided, that's one thing, but the style of pizza served here is exactly what it's meant to be; Italian. Enough preaching. Small plates. I love small plates. Why pay for one large dish when you could sample three or four small ones? The cool thing here is that they offer a rising tier of small plate selections. We tried one order each of the $4 prawns and mussels. Prawns were ok and could have used a bit of salt, but were high quality. The mussels were fantastic. You get as many mussels for $4 as you do for $8 or $9 at other places. Instead of the typical white wine broth these come in a dill cream which I found to be a nice change of pace. We ordered a chefs selection plate which came with several meats and cheeses; pecorino, romano, sopressata, proscuitto, chickpeas, olives, all good things. The pizza really was my least favorite of any of any of the food we ordered. I sampled the 4 cheese pizza and while it was rich and delicious, I found that it became wearing after the first slice. We tried the braised pork belly pizza and found the same thing. While the first slice was delicious and new; another slice or two became too much. How many slices of pizza can you really eat that have a large slice of what is essentially thick sliced un-crisped bacon? I would recommend putting yourself in a situation to eat only a slice or two of any one pie as opposed to having one all to yourself. Ok selection of beers on tap. Good selection of liquor. Very nice selection of glasses by the wine. Come to Blue Grotto with educated expectations and you won't be disappointed. Bringing friends and sharing several things is key to success here. Give real pizza a try, not saying you'll love it; but you should definitely give it a shot.
(4)Kae D.
Had a great experience here yesterday. Went in for brunch and sat at the bar. The bartender was kind and attentive. We had the fig and prosciutto and the croque-madame - both dishes were great. The atmosphere is really nice - upscale and classy. I've recently moved to KC from Phoenix and have been looking for something like this in the Prairie Village/Brookside area that has a wine bar feel. The bar area could use a bit of an update... the liquor bottles are exposed in a weird way and it just looks kind of messy. Overall a really great experience - I'll be back.
(4)Kathy M.
I've had this place on my list of outside patio places for awhile and finally was able to check it out. It has comfy couches and a nice space outside. I'm guessing they are planning on some remodeling because they had a pile of lumber on the patio, so hopefully that project will progress quickly and get the wheelbarrow and lumber off the patio. We made it to happy hour with 15 minutes to spare. We ordered the charcuterie plate based on the suggestion of our server. It was decent, but I wouldn't have been happy paying full price at $19. Our server didn't get our happy hour drink prices on our receipt, but he did correct it when we mentioned it. I had a salad and hubby had the burger and fries for dinner. My salad was good and hubby's fries were good too! He liked his burger and our only complaint about dinner was how long it took to arrive at the table.
(3)Nettie O.
Food was good. We had the fughi pizza and an arugula/goat cheese salad. The pizza was really great- excellent crust! I wasn't a huge fan of the dressing on the salad. We sat outside because the weather was phenomenal! They have a really cute patio, however the seat cushions were stained and dirty! I highly recommend getting new ones!
(3)Jackson B.
I really don't know why we haven't been to this place before, but it truly is a hidden gem. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating from the bartender to our waiter. We only ordered pizzas but they excellent. We will be going back and trying something else. May be our new favorite place to go!
(5)Logan Locke B.
Rustic-Style Pizza was amazing. Service was mediocre (not awful, just ok). It was easy to get a table This place is kind of like your favorite black dress--- easy to go casual (take out) or easy to dress up with the right accessories (simple date night). The salads are enough to be shared by two people (seeing that they are $8/plate). We tried the scallops with risotto and the funghi pizza. While the salad and the risotto were both good, I would not get either of them again (only 2 scallops per entree)... I will definitely be back for more pizza though if I in a wood-fired pizza mood.
(4)Candace J.
Blue Grotto is a must when we come in town to visit. We have been at least four times over the last few years and have always enjoyed the food and the experience. The pizza is fantastic.
(5)John G.
Pizza is outstanding. The oven is the key. Fresh ingredients and amazing balance on all the pizzas. Cool atmosphere includes a long bar and the beer selection is always different and exciting. Love the brookside location with ample parking in front and back.
(5)Darcey R.
Fancy pizza. That really is about the only thing I can say. Don't get me wrong, it is really good pizza, but nothing that really sets it apart. I will say that you need to go during happy hour when all the pizzas are cheaper (maybe $5 off? I can't remember).
(3)Stormi F.
Pizza dough was amazing! Pizza Benedict was just the right balance of sweet and salty and a poached egg with asparagus just made this the best breakfast in KC. Not to busy, coffee was strong and service was great.
(5)Susan C.
I'm not a pizza connoisseur by any means but if you want a bougey pie paired with a lovely glass of wine, this is a terrific place to go. We sat at the bar and the bartender was super attentive. No complaints here!
(4)Stephen H.
Wow I can't believe I've never reviewed BG. I think it's arguably my favorite place in Brookside. The patio is one of my favorite aspects of this place - and even during the Winter it can be a welcoming place. They fire up the fireplaces and you can just cozy up and chat with friends. Good food and good drinks. If you want a casual joint that also serves really great food - stop by here.
(4)Hayley S.
I was back at Blue Grotto last week for a friend's birthday dinner. The pizza was, as always, delicious. Really, I love the pizza. The beer list, however, was definitely lacking the night of my visit. There are *maybe* 20 options on the menu to begin with. First choice? Boulevard Brewery's The Sixth Glass Quadrupel Ale. "Out." Second choice? Boulevard Brewery's Long Strange Tripel. "Out." Really? But they're at the top of the menu? "That's a misprint." Third choice? Ok then, the Free State Ad Astra. "Out of that, too." Seriously? They're all local beers - you should be able to track them down. You're down the street from a Berbiglia's. Go get some damn beer or fix the "misprint" on your menu.
(3)Evita C.
I waited for at least 30 mins for just a salad ! 15 mins for a cock ! We were completed ignored and they delivered the food after we complained. The food is okay. Still the service were need to be improved.
(2)Emily W.
I took my mother to this restaurant. I would say I am biased because I used to work here, but because I know the quality of this restaurant I trust that I can bring my family in here and impress. The menu is different with the change of the season and is always outstanding. Fresh handmade to order pizza, inventive entrees, and a beer list that even impressed my dad. It was always easy to work here because I knew what I was selling was worth being proud of and it's nice to know that hasn't changed. Tip the servers fat because they earn it with their INCREDIBLE attention and accuracy. Keep it up everybody, love you always!!! Katie Hentzen was my wonderful server and Sam Braun is my favorite bartender ever.
(5)Zach G.
When I see 3.5 stars on Yelp, it worries me. I always think 3.5 stars is a bad restaurant, or at least a sub-par one. So when I found myself going to Blue Grotto, I was a bit hesitant of what I might find. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. We had reservations for 6:30 on a Saturday night...and they clearly weren't needed. On a nice evening when every other place in Brookside was seemingly packed, Blue Grotto was not. OK...maybe my concerns on quality and service (as per Yelp) were justified? Our waiter was with us immediately when we sat down, and he was good all night. Maybe one instance where he took a bit too long to come back and take our order, and one of my beers took slightly too long to come, but other than that, he was efficient and friendly. So the food...we started with an order of bruschetta, and an order of the pork belly. Both of them were awesome...really, really awesome. The bruschetta was tasty, with delicious cheeses and flavorful, crunchy bread. The pork belly was a heavenly mix of meat and fat with just the right flavor and cooked just the right way. I scarfed that bad boy down...but really, is there ever a pig that does not taste heavenly? The pizzas were...huge. Really, a lot bigger than I expected. I had the Merguez (lamb sausage, tomato, peppers, olive, pecorino), and m'lady had the Margherita. The Merguez was very good, but not extraordinary. The sausage came in high quantity, but quality seemed to lack a bit as a result. The Margherita, however, was phenomenal...very, very close to Margherita I have had in Rome and Naples. The pizzas were cooked perfectly, with crust having a great interplay between chewy and crunchy. So, my fears were not justified, thankfully. I do wish it were closer to home so I could get some carryout pizza, because it's delicious. However, I will make the trip back to Brookside for Blue Grotto...after trying some other places in the neighborhood too (i.e. Julian).
(4)Lauren M.
I have had pretty good experiences here. I have been twice, and service was a bit slow both times. It wasn't horrible, but it was noticeable. The second time I went, we sat by the bar, and that was not a good idea. There were a lot of people that were yelling and drunk. I wouldn't recommend sitting anywhere near the bar. We had random people coming up to our table and it was crowded. We got the pepperoni pizza, which was good. I like how the pizzas are big enough to share. I also got the Riesling wine, it was ok. The first time I went, we sat upstairs, which I enjoyed much more.
(3)Matt S.
I am torn on the rating for this restaurant. I would normally say it is a solid "3", but last night pushed it lower on my scale. It's a great set-up. We've been here to eat on the patio with the fires (fun!), we've been for brunch a few times, dinner with friends, and last night we went for a late dinner. We sat at the bar as we usually do. We wanted a pizza which they do well. They are on the salty side. Well, actually, everything here is REALLY salty. We ordered the salted cod for an app. Yes, I know the name implies it will be salty (and I have had it many times before), but this was inedible. We had to send it back. The bartender was nice about it and didn't make us feel bad for doing so. The menu is limited and doesn't change much. We come every couple of months so it is fine for us. The set-up inside is nice, but it is starting to get run down. Everything in the bar area is dusty. I went to use the mens room which is across from the dishwasher. I waited for the bathroom and watched them mix pizza sauce and meatballs on the dish washers counter while dishes were being washed, water and soap were flying, dirty dishes were being piled around the food prep and...they don't even try and close this off for the restaurant. The bathroom...that was a different experience all in it's self. Most McDonald's bathrooms are cleaner. While it wasn't "dirty", it was a mess. Paper towels and shredded toilet paper were all over the floor, vanity, even the toilet! Sink was clogged with paper, there was no soap, and the trash can was overflowing. I hope they clean this place up a bit before spring. It' s a great place to grab a drink at the bar when the front garage door/window is raised. Every time we go here there are numerous regulars, which is a good sign. It's just time for them to pay attention to detail.
(2)Sara K.
The best service I have had at a restaurant in a long time. The owner and our waitress were just simply amazing. Everything about this place is welcoming from the service to the decor! I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Amy C.
I had heard of Blue Grotto for years and finally got the chance to stop in one unusually warm winter day. We were able to sit on the patio and enjoy the weather. We visited just to get drinks and apps. I couldn't have been happier with our choice of Blue Grotto. Our server, who I think was also the bartender, was top notch. He was attentive and just the right amount of chatty. He kept our beers cold. The server recommended the bruschetta, which is the dish I was considering after watching Check, Please! We also ordered a pizza and very much enjoyed it. The only thing I did notice was that the cushions on the patio were a bit worn, other than that I have only good things to say about Blue Grotto and will definitely go back. I know my not-so-adventerous friends will be able to find something they like and I will be able to find something to satisfy my tastes as well. I will definitely go back.
(4)Jessie R.
Nope, nope, nope. Never going again. First of all, I was talked into going to this place by my husband after he heard from some random guy that he plays frisbee with that it was good. That should've been my first clue. Secondly, I had already heard from my son that he didn't like it after he was forced to go there for a school event. My son is an expert when it comes to choosing good restaurants so I have no idea why I didn't pay heed to his advice. First can I just say, NO good parking. I had to park across the street at the far end of a grocery store parking lot. Secondly, after weight lifting their ginormous door and giant curtain, I came face to face with two women sitting at the end of the bar who were dropping the F bomb like there was no tomorrow. Classy place. My husband was already seated at a table (I was meeting him after work) so I made my way to the very back of the restaurant to join him. It was extremely cold outside so I was pleased that we would be sitting in the back close to the huge wood burning oven so we would be warm. Nope, didn't happen. I don't know if they had the air conditioning on or what but it was freezing. The place was not very busy but the waitress decided to seat an incoming party of four women right next to our table. They were loud and obnoxious, hooting and howling about the stupidest things, and we were forced to either yell over them or sit and listen to their inane conversation. We ordered the antipasta platter, which the waitress assured us would be enough food for two people. Again, no. It was a meager assortment of salamis and prosciutto (about two slices of each) accompanied by three bowls of olives (even though I had asked her not to bring the olives) and a tiny bit of two different kinds of cheeses. Also, a few crackers and two pieces of bread. Not only was it not filling AT ALL, it was not tasty and it was served on a huge chipped platter. We were going to order dinner but at this point, I had had enough. I figured the food in my fridge at home was a vast improvement over this dining experience and so....I headed home.
(1)Michele N.
It wasn't but a few weeks ago that I was sitting on the courtyard style patio at Blue Grotto for happy hour thinking that this would be where you'd find me on a weekly basis for TGIF! No fault of Blue Grotto, we'll just blame my absence on Mother Nature's interesting sense of weather humor...snow in May, really? Back to the beautiful Friday happy hour, basking in the warmth of spring. The patio has couches, tables and fire pits; you can easily conjure up the picture of happy hour bliss! I was pleased with the nice array of wines by the glass, and also very reasonably priced bottles of wine. A good beer selection for the hubby too. We shared a few small plates, the mussels and the artichoke. The mussels were outstanding, all the way down to the tomato broth they were steamed in, which we lapped up with the crusty bread served with the dish (our server even indulged us with extra bread). The artichoke was tasty, but I was not a fan of the way it was served (they say presentation is everything!). The whole artichoke had been pulled apart, so you had just the leaves laying on the plate. Not as appetizing to look at, and I sure missed my favorite part of peeling away at an artichoke - the tender artichoke heart. I wish we would have ordered a pizza, they looked like they were delicious. I promise you'll find me on this patio sharing a pizza and a bottle of wine as soon as Mother Nature delivers spring to Kansas City!
(4)Joi B.
This update reflects happy hour awesomeness, patio awesomeness and seasonal offering awesomeness. And that's a whole lot of awesome, so Blue Grotto gets the precious fifth star! A group of five of us enjoyed the HHH (Heavenly Happy Hour) on Wednesday out on that sweet patio (if you're a shade lover like me, they've got you covered!) Note to self: come back in the fall to benefit from the fire pits. HHH includes: $5 off pizzas and select apps, $3 wells and beers- don't quote me on exacts there because all I cared about was the wine. And you will get a superb $5 glass of it. It's tomato time and BG features an heirloom pizza. I asked for extra tomatoes on mine and it was so good, I couldn't stop myself from eating the entire thing, which is something I only do when helpless in the presence of pizza greatness (I always save half for later!) This pizza is regularly $14 but at HH it's $9. Nice, right? As always, service exceeds mere competence at Blue Grotto. Our waitress was incredibly nice, attentive, and was cool about letting us double up on HH specials to make it in time before 6 (end of HHH) I can't think of a better place to be between 5:30 (so you get to benefit from that last 30 min of HHH) and 8, no, make that closing. I'd gladly stick around until late into the night here, and could see myself losing track of time quite easily.
(5)Matt E.
I rarely if ever think to come here for dinner, as it's so far from my house it's absolutely off the impulse-dinner radar, and it's just doesn't seem to excite me enough to make it a specific destination. That being said, what I have eaten here was quite tasty. Really, though, this review is focused on the boozing. The bar inside is long and dark and just right. Clean too, which is important to me. They pour a great wine list, and have some decent beers on tap (though not many). While I don't think they really have specialty cocktails, they make a dang good classic - I go for Manhattans. The patio is the real story, however. Divided into a few separate intimate areas, with lots of pillow covered booths and firepits. It's almost like a collection of cabanas. For the easily chilled, they also have a basket of blankets, which I thought was a nice touch. The service out here is always friendly and I always seem to run into friends. (That being said, this place also seems like one of the HQs for the Brookside Cougar Club, so watch out!) I strongly approve. If i didn't live so dang far away I'd be here quite a bit more often.
(4)Tricia H.
My husband and I used to frequent Blue Grotto all of the time. Unfortunately, we moved 40 minutes away and it's not as convenient for us, but we definitely miss it! It was a great, laid back place to get some dinner and food. We always got the pepperoni and italian sausage pizza and two side salads. My favorits is the Grotto Salad- apples, nuts, gorgonzola cheese- YUM!! They also have great martinis, albeit a little on the pricey side. Our one complaint would be about the selection. There aren't many appetizers that we are interested in and it's a limited menu, but thankfully we've found our favorites and return often. We wish we were closer!!!
(5)Brandi C.
We've been to Blue Grotto twice now, and I'm torn on my star rating. I'd probably give it a 3.5, but I'm feeling generous today, so it's going to get a 4. Overall, I think Blue Grotto has a lot going for it. The space is great, the pizzas are interesting and flavorful, and the patio area seems really nice. (Though I haven't sat out there yet, I will before the summer is out!) That being said, there are a couple of things about Blue Grotto I really don't like. One: the service can be spotty. One time, our server was AWFUL. I mean truly terrible, to the point where she even tried to make a joke about how bad she was by commenting on how she must've gotten lost on her way to our table. Yeah. We noticed. The other time, though, our server was excellent, so it's just luck of the draw. Two: both times we've been it was busy, so we sat in the bar area. Which is fine, except for when the bar fills up and oblivious douchebags constantly bump your table. I get that there's not a whole lot of extra space between the bar and the tables, but seriously. People are sitting here and trying to eat, preferably without your elbows (or worse) practically in their faces. That's not really Blue Grotto's fault, but it does make the dining experience somewhat less enjoyable. Three: some of the pizzas can be a bit salty (the one with the prosciutto on it comes immediately to mind). Not a deal breaker, just worth a mention. They do take quality seriously, though. One time our pizza was "not up to par" (burnt?), so the manager let us know that they were making us a new one. I appreciate that, as if it had arrived at our table and needed to be sent back, it would've irritated me. Yes, we did have to wait a bit longer, but it was worth it for the perfect pizza that finally arrived at our table. So, yeah. I think I'd like Blue Grotto more if I could sit in an area that was less crowded, but otherwise I'm a fan. The salads are great, the pizzas are good, and I've enjoyed my meal on both visits. That, to me, is a winning combination.
(4)Lindsay S.
This is a good spot for Brookside which is a little heavy on the Sports Bars for my taste, but I cannot stand their pizza! There is never enough sauce or cheese, I feel like I am eating bland flatbread. They have so much potential for great pizza with that wood oven - just put some toppings on that dough for God's sake! I think they could add more variety to the wine list, but the staff is always friendly and helpful about the wines. I do love some of their apps, the fondue was especially fabulous as is the cheese plate. Good spot for wine and apps, but for dinner I would pass.
(2)Laurel S.
This place has been on my "to try" list for months and I finally made it. Walking in I really wanted to love this place. The space is so neat. The outside is especially cool but it was full so we were taken to a table on the top floor. Ugh! It was hot up there, I mean uncomfortably hot. And we have a cool snap right now in KC, the high yesterday was only about 80. I cannot imagine what it would be like up there on a typical July day in KC. My sister and I each order a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, I can't remember which wine it was but it was by the glass. It was okay, not great. For 3 of us we ordered two pizzas and it was plenty of food but it wasn't that impressive. The crust was good, crunchy and chewy at the same time. The ingredients were obviously fresh but the sauce was rather bland as was the Italian sausage. All and all, I certainly wouldn't make a trip from Jo Co back over to Brookside to go here and if I want a great wood fired pizza I would go to Spin any day.
(2)Gary D.
Beautiful interior. Excellent pizza. A beer and wine selection to cover most tastes. I run by this place all the time and finally decided to stop in before a movie night. The pizzas are large enough to share w/ an appetizer for two hungry mouths. Service was attentive. The mussels were meh but no complaints whatsoever on the Funghi pizza. Yes I just said Funghi pizza!
(4)Elizabeth P.
My friends and I decided to start a little restaurant club. After an amazing start, we chose Blue Grotto for our second outing. Whoops! They seemed to be out of everything. It took an hour to get our food. Our chocolate pizza was probably the worst dessert I've ever eaten in my life. We all agreed: This is a one-and-done.
(2)Patrick B.
Their Bloody Mary mix is amazing - but only if you like really spicy, savory bloody mary mix. If not, then stay far away from their custom blend. As for food - wow. Hand made, fresh, packed with flavour, balanced, and oh-so-good. The menu has a great variety, their pizzas - surprisingly enough -are wonderful and the service was great even though it was a dead night. The food took some time to get to us - luckily we were not in a rush. However, once it was out, it was definitely worth the wait. This place makes me excited about going back - their hollandaise has a subtly and richness that is calling me - and again, those bloody marys.. OMG.
(4)Reed N.
The previous and early 2-star and 1-star reviews here are just wrong. I will state, like I always do, it is about THE FOOD first. If your palette sweet spot consists of chewing bones and slurping pizzas loaded with junk and sauced to death, you shouldn't really come here. If you are some artsy fartsy eater and everything needs to be "creative" to be good, why do you stay home and cook your own art? This place is trying to make a true Neapolitan pizza. Very little sauce and toppings... but just enough to get a taste in each bite. I had the quattro formaggio and it was very well executed. I had a bite of some cajun pizza concoction and it tasted great. In short, this is not Papa Junk or Domi"noway." The wine list is perfect. One page. Virtually everything available by the glass. Other places should take notes on this. The staff was pleasant and we had a diverse and difficult group during a busy time for the place. My only advice on food. Watch the herbs. Too much dill, oregano, etc is easy to obtain when you are really cooking and not measuring everything. Consider measuring strong herbs.
(5)Margaret D.
When I think pizza for dinner I think Spin (quick and consistent) or Minsky's (when done right, cheesy goodness). I should think Blue Grotto. I started out with the mixed green salad. I was a little hesitate about ordering it given that the dressing was a vinegarette. I don't like tart all that much. It was perfect, not the feared mouth puckering vingarette I don't like. Followed with a mushroom pizza. Excellent, great flavor and perfectly cooked. Service was attentive.
(4)Austin S.
Long story short: The food was AMAZING, but it was still very enjoyable and I loved the patio out back. Long story long: Not long after getting out here to KCMO, Joi B. was having one of her first monthly CMYE/happy hours, and Blue Grotto was the venue of choice for such said event for August. Walking in from the front entrance and first impression from the bar area, was that this place was going to be a little bit more casual, almost a pub kind of feel, but once we walked through the dining area and then out onto the back patio, the "upscale" factor went up a couple of notches. This seemed like the kind of place that you could come with a couple of friends, bring someone for their birthday, a "casual" date, or non hi-profile business lunch. Nice open kitchen. There was patio like seating with a couple of gas fire pits on the deck outside. It almost felt like hanging out on someone's nice back yard. There was just the four of us, but we grabbed one of the tables not next to the fire pit. It was all pretty comfortable and within a couple of minutes, a server came by to give us some menus as well as take any beverage orders. We had gotten there just before the end of happy hour, so there was $5 wines and well drinks. I got a glass of wine, which I forgot what varietal it was, as well as a vodka and 7up. Looking over the menu, you had your typical gastropub fare: entrees, salads, burgers, sandwiches, a couple of fish dishes, a sleu of appetizers, pizzas, and pastas. It wasn't an enormous menu, which is good. It's one thing when a place has different types of dishes but like 20 options of each, but its another thing (in a good way) when a place just has 2 or 3 of a few types of dishes, then whatever they consider their popular item, have more of a selection. If I were to open a restaurant, that's the model I would follow. They seemingly are a little more known for their pizzas I decided to order the lamb sliders appetizer and the merguez (lamb sausage) pizza. I suppose I was going for a lamb theme that day. Joi B and the others ordered various items as well. The prices on everything seemed to be pretty reasonable. I believe we were still in happy hour, so the lamb sliders were discounted as I believe the pizza as well. Even without the happy hour, the prices seemed reasonable for what it was. A few minutes later our food began arriving. The sliders looked decent, nothing too spectacular, but not like things were just slapped onto a bun. There came 3 sliders (or was it 2?), harissa, cilantro, pickled red onions, and peppers. The lamb was pretty good and altogther, the slider really worked. I could've had another plate of these and be happy. The pizza had broken merguez (lamb sausage) bits, peppers, tomatoes, olives, and pecorino cheese. That was pretty darn good. I mean, I love pizza, so I'm not that picky, but at the same time I am sort of picky. I know, I'm weird like that. I had no problem finishing it all and was definitely satisfied. Service was attentive and with a smile. Waters were never empty (which most of you know is a pretty big thing for me) and I had a very enjoyable time finally meeting our KC CM in person and being outside having some wonderful food. I'm definitely coming back here when I get a chance.
(4)Erin W.
Lemon pine nut pizza was too complicated. Scallop carpachio was interesting. Caesar was Ceasar. Wine made everything taste better. The experience was all around forgettable, and for the price we paid, I hope to have a more memorable meal. The service was solid the wine list was nice. If we're back in that part of KC again, we may go back to the BG but I'll keep the pizza simple and avoid the appetizers.
(3)Heather P.
A friend of mine and myself visited Blue Grotto after class one night. Sadly, we didn't eat as it was late. We stayed at the bar, had some drinks, and visited. Our waiter was really, really great. The bartender's rough-looking cougar girlfriend was intoxicated beyond standing up on her own, but that didn't stop her boyfriend from playing stinkfinger with her. At the bar. In front of our table. Classy. We didn't order anything else after witnessing that little exchange. Gross. I may go back again and actually try the pizza, but I will definitely refrain from sitting in the bar again.
(2)Erin M.
Mmm. Seriously, what a delight. I made an 11-person reservation for the roomie's birthday this past weekend. That was a good idea, since the long entryway past the bar and to the host stand was packed with people. Our party was sat on the upstairs landing, a crisp, bright and clean space with minimal decor. Beers and wine flowed quickly. Our table shared three salads, all of which looked delicious and were of decent size. I saved my dinner appetite for the main show of pizzas. The group split four pies: spicy shrimp and sausage (which I was told was very tasty and definitely lived up to the "spicy" name), Margherita (mmm...basil), funghi (mmm...mushrooms and San Marzanos) and the veggie-tastic Bellagio. Even with our large group, there were still 3 slices leftover. I think this speaks well for the size of pizzas and salads. Service was adequate...not outstanding in my eyes, but not horrible. She thought ahead and placed two carafes of water for us to help ourselves to during the meal. Smart lady. I will most definitely be back!
(4)Mike X.
This place is garbage. Wannabe wine bar, terrible cocktails and food.
(1)Bethanie W.
When I first went to Blue Grotto we immediately returned a second time due to their Thai Pizza- one of the best I have had and would continue going back for. The third time I went with my mouth watering for the Thai Pizza the waitress said a new chef was now working and he wanted to go more traditional....this was the last time I went. Waldo Pizza is MUCH better and MUCH cheaper for traditional pizza and they deliver :)
(3)JB L.
Love thin crust, wood oven pizza! Had the Salsiccia and it was very flavorful. Went for brunch and it was fantastic. Some of the best bloody mary's in town ($3 for a decent sized rocks glass on Saturday/Sunday). Had the benedict flat bread and it was wonderful. Eggs cooked perfectly, just the right amount of hollandaise and the bread was flavorful and crispy. Wish the pancetta was just a bit crispier though (but that's a personal preference). Came with a side of fresh fruit. Would definitely go back and try the other items on the menu. Whoever designed this place did a great job. It's trendy without feeling sterile/cold.
(4)Shea C.
Blue Grotto has quickly become one of my favorite places to dine with its great atmosphere, cool architecture (I love sitting upstairs and watching the chefs prepare the food in the kitchen below) and excellent food. I always start with the bruschetta sampler (chef's choice). One of my recent favorites was topped with goat cheese and artichoke hearts and was AMAZING. Everything tastes extremely fresh. While I'm sure everything cooked in the wood-fire oven is fantastic, I have yet to venture outside of the pizza. The prosciutto pizza is my favorite: a mix of sweet figs, savory prosciutto and tangy goat cheese (clearly I am having a love affair with goat cheese). A recent dining companion went for the meaty salsiccia - sausage, tomato, peperonata, oregano and mozzarella and barely came up for air while devouring it. During one visit, a friend ordered the margherita and loved it (hard to go wrong with a classic). The portions are generous, so there's more than enough to take home and enjoy for lunch (or breakfast, let's be honest) the next day. Just wash down the pizza with a glass of Murphy-Good Cabernet (one of my faves) and you will be in food coma bliss. Blue Grotto is my happy place.
(5)Kenna B.
Upon entering Blue Grotto, I was transported to a coastal village right by the sea. If you listen hard enough, you can almost hear the ocean. The patio is amazing. There were firepits, coffee tables inlaid with wine bottle corks covered by glass, and enormous wooden booths with luxurious pillows. The inside also had a kind of "by the sea" feel. My friend and I split the arugula and roasted garlic salad. It was quite nice with the fresh arugula lettuce, tender artichoke hearts, crunchy almonds, and goat cheese. The garlic was in the vinaigrette, however the flavor was so mild, and the salad was so lightly dressed that I didn't taste any garlic at all. We also shared the Funghi pizza. I like pizza just as much as the next person, but it's really hard to impress me. Usually pizza is too greasy, or there is too little cheese. This pizza was so tasty, it definitely will be remembered. It was a little light on the cheese, but the generous toppings and amazing crust made up for it. Blue Grotto has a real wood oven, and they bake each pizza at 900 degrees. They also use a special flour in the crust. This is the best pizza crust I've ever eaten. Writing this review has made me crave one of their awesome pizzas. I think I know where I'm going for lunch!
(4)Stephanie G.
The food and ambiance is great, HOWEVER, if you are a vegetarian be careful! The menus are not well marked! Unless you know Italian words for meats, you will most likely end up accidently ordering a meat pizza. And they are not nice enough to take it back or make it free. That said, I will be going back. :-) I truly enjoy the salad with artichokes and the Porri pizza. I fully intend to try others as well. I LOVE the patio! Inside is fantastic as well. My dad was in town so I took him here and he fell in love.
(4)Anna B.
My opinion of Blue Grotto could be viewed as biased to some. For one thing, I live within walking distance of this place. And also, this is a pizza and wine bar. PIZZA. WINE. Two of my favorite things. Not sure how much credit I can give Blue Grotto for the great wine. Sure, it's all about the selection and they do have a nice one. But I'm not particular. If it's red, I'll drink it. And, as some Yelpers mentioned, the service is not the highlight of this place. I've experienced amazing service here and I've also been ignored the entire time. The concept, as I was told by one server, is to allow patrons to enjoy their meal at their own pace. The servers are not going to hurry you along or pester you the entire time. If you need something, wave a server or bartender over...any of them. They are great at helping one another out. And relax and enjoy yourself! Ok, back to the point. It's all about the pizza here. And who doesn't like pizza? It's ranked as America's Favorite Food in countless surveys available on the web. As I mentioned above, it's one of my favorites. And when it comes to eating pizza, I'll eat it all - D'Bronx, Waldo, Dominos. Yeah, I said it. Dominos. (Give it another chance. They've done a lot to reinvent themselves.) But I'm not reviewing Dominos. Back to Blue Grotto. They truly do whip up the best pizzas I've ever had. Not just in KC, but anywhere. They take a fresh, tasty, crust brushed with olive oil and cover it with fresh veggies, meats and cheeses and bake it in a wood fired oven. (My mouth is watering and it's only breakfast time.) Look...I could go on and on and ON, but you'll still have to try it and judge it for yourself. I recommend trying it out during happy hour (M-F / 3-6). Pizzas are $5 off and house wines are $5. You can't go wrong! Belly up to the bar with your gf, bf or bff and share the Grotto Azurra salad and the Funghi pizza. YUM! This is definitely my go-to place for a weeknight dinner out. The happy hour cannot be beat and the quality is outstanding. Seriously.delicious.pizza .
(5)Jacob T.
SOOOOOO GREAT. Awesome staff. Great Bar. Pizzas unique and yet kept fairly simple. But again the staff was attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is casually classy and the towering custom wood fire oven makes for quite a good place to examine the extensive wine list.
(5)jennifer j.
Yikes, I forgot to write my review and checked it out a couple months ago. We were headed to Starlight for a show and I guess we weren't the only one's who thought it was a clever idea to eat in Brookside. It was so crowded and I was turning around to leave when a bar table opened up. The pizza was good, but not really better then Pizza Bella. We also ordered a caesar salad, but I could only take one bite. The dressing was loaded with dill, which is the only herb I truly despise. I wish they would mentioned on the menu that they do the crazified version of the caesar...I would have passed. Love the modern interior and huge wood front door.
(3)Daniella M.
I start going to Blue Grotto about 3 years ago. B.G has a great patio, friendly staff, great music selection (from Pet Shop Boys to Gipsy Kings) and one of the best pizza in KC. I enjoy going there for drinks and great food, its a great place to catch up with friends
(5)Bill B.
If you are a pizza snob, you should try the Blue Grotto. It tries its best to be authentic. In fact, even the name Blue Grotto is on the mark. It is a famous grotto on the island of Capri (accent on the a, not the i); and Capri is off the coast of Naples, which is the home of authentic pizza. In Italy, there is a society that certifies authentic pizza and pizza restaurants. That society certifies only two types of pizza as being truly authentic to its history: Margherita and marinara pizza. While Margherita pizza is widely available in the US, marinara pizza, which includes no cheese, is very hard to find here. Well, this place has it. Also, to be certified as authentic, the tomatoes must come from a particular place in Italy, the cheese must be a special kind of mozzarella, and there is a special kind of flour that must be used in the crust. Blue Grotto does use imported tomatoes of the right kind. Is the pizza as good as in Naples? Well, no. In Naples, those tomatoes are fresh. At Blue Grotto, they are canned. I think Blue Grotto would be better off forgetting about getting imported tomatoes, and instead use fresh tomatoes from the US. But on the whole, I must say that the pizza here is closer to the Italian original than at most other restaurants in Kansas City, where you are more likely to find NY or Chicago style (or St. Louis style....groan). Also the appetizers are interesting. For example, the antipasti include much that you would find on an antipasti table in Italy. But in Italy, it would be on a table from which you would choose what you want. Here they serve their own choice of antipasti on a plate. While not served in the traditional Italian manner, the antipasti here do include more of what you would find in Italy than you would find in an American-style antipasto. Most people prefer the tables on the top level of this restaurant overlooking the pizza kitchen. Not me. I much prefer the comfortable booths on the first floor. Oh, and then there is the bar area --- really nice. Also they have a happy hour from 4 - 6 pm on Sunday through Thursday with good buys on wines and beers.
(3)Dev V.
It's hard to rate this place because it has a lot of positives and a few negatives. I'll start with the negatives then elaborate on the positive. Negative: Food is so so and the wine list lacks anything that really pops for the value. Positives: Great decor, love the open kitchen with the wood fired stove, great bar and they have a killer patio (best in KC in my opinion). If the food was better and they had a few bottles on the list that were worth what you pay, I'd come back way more often. Usually it's a summer staple in the evenings.
(3)Kim N.
Great happy hour $2.50 drafts and $3.00 wells. Great specials on the food menu and $5 off pizzas. Hubby had the sausage and red pepper pizza or so he thought. We went with a few other people and we confused the pizzas. He actually ate the lamb pizza and said it was pretty good. Not what he ordered but not the waitresses fault, we mixed them up. I had two lamb sliders at $2.50 each that is a pretty good deal. I was still hungry so I ordered the prosciutto and melon and it was great. Our waitress was super and kept our water filled and the food coming. She was pleasant and very helpful. We sat on the patio it was a little warm but shady so it was very nice. The sofa or that is what I am calling them had big soft pillows and was very comfy. If you are in Brookside stop in.
(4)Kathy K.
We went to the Blue Grotto last night (Friday) for the first time in years. We don't really go out for pizza that often - mostly we do take out, so we stick close to home. But we felt like pizza, and we felt like something a bit nicer in terms of the space, than Bella Napoli. We were quite impressed. We had wine (a nice list of wines by the glass) and two salads and one pizza (the prosciutto). Salads were fresh, very tasty, and large without being ridiculous size. The pizza was piping hot, excellent toppings, and the crust was a neutral canvas for the toppings. I was particularly impressed with the service. It was Friday night, and they were moderately busy (more so as we left). Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and the food came at exactly the right rhythm - neither rushing us nor making us wait. And, as I mentioned, the pizza was piping hot; it had not sat waiting under the lights at all but was brought up directly from the oven. Overall, a very pleasant surprise. We'll be back.
(4)Jaclyn S.
I wanted to like this place so much. I've heard such good things about it, and the food definitely lived up to the hype. I had the Porri pizza and it was fantastic - unique but not in a weird way. HOWEVER, we waited nearly an hour to get our food. Never did the waitress check in with us, or apologize for the ridiculously long wait, it was like she thought it was normal to wait that long. And we were there on a Tuesday night, when there were only a handful of other patrons, I can't imagine a busy Friday or Saturday night. To add insult in injury, a couple people in our party decided to order dessert. My dad ordered an ice cream dish, and my sister ordered a chocolate cannolli. Even the desserts took forever. The cannolli was alright in my opinion, but my sister really liked it, and since it was her dish I guess that's the vote that counts. My dad's ice cream dish however, was solid as a rock. The waitress jokingly brought him a knife to cut it with, and even the knife didn't make a dent in the ice cream. She was gracious enough to take that one off our bill at least. And said she spoke to the owner about it, because apparently it's a recurring problem, but the chef won't do anything about it b/c he likes it that way. Who likes their ice cream in one solid chunk, so hard you can't even eat it??? I didn't order any wine tonight, so I can't speak to the alcohol, but I will give this place one more chance. It has sooo much potential because it has great ambiance, both indoors and out. In fact their patio looks awesome. I will come back some really nice afternoon, order some wine, and their cheese platter, and sit on the patio with some friends. I'll make sure we're in no hurry though, and not too hungry, b/c after reading some of the other reviews, it appears I'm not the only one experiencing slow service.
(3)Krista N.
The past few times I came here I noticed the brunch menu and decided to try it. Way too rich, so rich that I don't think I'll have brunch here again. I had the french toast with ricotta and honey pecan syrup. The portion was small but good quality I wasn't too impressed because I was overcome by the richness of it. My partner had the pizza benedict, he could barely finish it and declared it too rich as well, he also requested potatoes and got a very very small plate of them. The pizza's good here but the brunch is lacking.
(3)Rachel P.
I've been here once and had the quattro formaggio pizza, which was just a bunch of crust with some cheese thrown on top. I was not impressed, the pizza totally lacked flavor, and the place seemed too snooty for my taste. Sorry, but there are way better pizza places in KC.
(1)Lia B.
Fancy Artisan pizza at the same price as a crappy pizza chain. Yes, I'm talking about you Papa Johns. I actually like figs on the Prosciutto pizza. I thought I hated figs but they add some sweetness to give this pizza the perfect balance of salty and sweet. After trying the Eggs Benedict pizza I can never go back to normal Eggs Benedict again. It's that good. My vote for worst Eggs Benedict goes to Cinzettis whose hollandaise sauce is reminiscent of elementary school gravy.
(5)Jen B.
Another winner in Brookside. Roomier with more seating than it looks from the outside. Varied menu, with unique pizzas. We really enjoyed the anti-pasta salad, which was easily enough for four to snack over a bottle of wine before the main course. The only downside is that it can get noisy. Perfect for a nice, warm evening when they have the front "garage" door open.
(4)Deana W.
Everything about this restaurant is a feast for the senses. We entered from the back, through the outdoor patio, complete with stone fire pits, umbrellas, and large couches, positioned for ease of conversation. This area screams cocktails and sunshine. Once you enter the restaurant, the ambiance is modern, with clean lines, glass, hardwood floors ,and lustrous, black furnishings. Overall, the atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant. The air is filled with the seductive aroma of roasted garlic and bread, baking in the large, wood burning pizza oven. An aphrodisiac to any self respecting epicurean. We began our meal with salads. My dining companion chose the Grotto salad, with thinly sliced, red onions, julienne, tart apples, candied walnuts, feta cheese, and a grainy mustard vinaigrette. I chose the Arugula salad, with goat cheese, baby artichokes, roasted garlic, and almonds in a lovely buttery olive oil vinaigrette. For the entree, we opted for the Funghi pizza, made with fresh asparagus, San Marzzano tomatoes, oyster mushrooms, and roasted garlic. The crust was a study in perfection. Crisp on the outside, yet the interior was tender. There was a slight char to the bottom of the crust, which gave it a hint of smokiness. While the texture was appropriately toothsome and chewy. If this sumptuous feast were not enough, we elected to continue the indulgence with dessert. The object of our affection was the chilled chocolate terrine, with fresh raspberries. It was sublime. Silky, creamy, and most certainly decadent. It would be anticlimactic to say that we did, indeed enjoy our meal at The Blue Grotto. It was simply magnifico! Grande pasto!
(5)Dana A.
I just went to Blue Grotto on February 8th, which was it's first night with new menu created by their new chef, also known for his weekend brunch at 303. The location is of course gorgeous inside, making it easy to forget that the Brooksider is just next door. We sat in a wrap around booth in the back, which, while near the bathroom, also has the best view of the kitchen. It's fun to watch the pizzas going in and coming out of the oven. My friends and I started off by ordering from the Antipasti menu. It's pretty genius, because there's a whole section of $3 choices to mix and match, and then some more expensive choices down the list. My fiance and I got the marinated mushrooms, a Green Dirt Farm cheese, and the turnips, which were peppered and delicious. The plate also came with grapes, crackers and fig jam, and crostini. Our friends ordered a different cheese, and the mussels, which were amazing. My fiance and I each ordered a pizza and shared. One had spicy shrimp, fennel, and the other had butternut squash, sopressata and basil. The crust was chewy, thin and flavorful thanks to the wood fired oven. It was everything you want pizza to be. There really was not one pizza on the new menu that I wouldn't try. I am definitely looking forward to going back. Our friends got the same spicy shrimp pizza we chose, but then ordered one of the small plates, a polenta dish that looked delicious. The new dessert menu wasn't available yet that day, but do save room and take a look. The choices definitely looked decadent. Chef James had instead prepared tiny chocolate filled cookies for us, and they were buttery, almond and chocolate heaven in a bite sized cookie. So if that says anything, dessert is a must. Also, don't forget the fantastic bar. My fiance and our friends were very pleased about the beer selections when we were there. Overall, it was a great experience and great food. I can't wait to go back and work on trying the rest of the menu!
(4)Mark P.
Living 2 blocks from the joint, I've been a patron off-and-on since they opened. They've clearly gone through some growing pains with the recession and trying to find that balance between taking pride in a culinary niche crowd and satisfying the expectations of a larger population of paying patrons. Overall, though, I think they've been moving in a consistently positive direction. The atmosphere during the want-to-be-outside months is outstanding if you can sit towards the front of the bar near the open garage door. As a militant non-smoker, their gorgeous patio in the back is a waste unless you're lucky to be upwind to a breeze. I generally like the crowd, with fair representation of young professionals who want to enjoy a glass or two of wine and turn in by 11pm or so. Upstairs is a little spartan, but works for the peeps that just want to eat and get out of there. I agree with some of the other reviews -- if you have friends who like chain pizza that is overflowing with sauce and grease, then they will probably not enjoy themselves. But if you like to taste the bread, and as long as they keep your pizza in the oven long enough (I think during the busier hours they come out 3 or 4 minutes too soon) they're among some of the best thin-crust pizzas I've ever had. I appreciate the experimentation with different ingredients and nontraditional combinations, but it's served as a huge turn-off for some of my friends who I think would have otherwise raved had they had some more classic combos available from the get-go. It took months before they had a straight-up pepperoni pizza. For those for whom first impressions are everything, i think they lost a lot of people with a borderline-arrogant attitude about substitutions. That said, they've become much more accomodating. As much as I love this place, I think it's 3.5 stars as a place to go to dinner with a crowd, a 4 as a place to go by yourself for a meal at the bar, and 4.5 stars for small plates/nibbles/drinks with friends, especially if you get to sit by the garage door while it's open.
(4)Drew G.
ooooh. I know. Two stars pains me too. Let me explain. I tried out the brunch. It started with five stars because the back patio was completely worthy. But then came the long awaited Bloody Mary's. How do I put it? It was way too bloody peppered. It left a hole in my stomach. Ok, still four stars. But then came the food. Wait, not my food, somebody else's. Okay, two plates later, then came my food. Eh. By this time, it just didn't taste the same. My friend found hair in his. The waitress had a horrible attitude throughout the meal and nobody found it necessary to compensate for hair in my friend's meal. If the food was out of this world - trust me, I'd take a beating to eat it. But really there wasn't much to rave about except the ambiance. wah. wah. wah. better luck next time in my brunch adventures.
(2)Rachel S.
The patio at Blue Grotto! Dear lord, the patio. Apparently heaven has cushions and a fire pit and is located in Brookside. Even though it was over-run with hipsters this particular Labor Day weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed sipping an iced tea in this awesome space. The lamb sliders cooked medium rare were exquisite, and the margherita pizza was way above average. As soon as I can drink legally (20 sucks, people), I will be taking advantage of their solid wine list.
(4)James M.
Blue Grotto is a place where the atmosphere complements conversation like wine complements food. We headed out with a few friends around happy hour. No surprise, Happy Hour lasted hours. John, the owner, happened to stop by our table, and soon turned from business owner to friend. Occasionally an owner will stop by and ask how you're doing, and that's it. Here's where 5 stars are earned. After already enjoying the wine, the Boulevard Tank 7 Beer, the amazing unique pizzas (seriously great unique gourmet choices...a new favorite of mine), John the owner sat down at our table. A few questions turned into conversations. My Fiancee asked about a former desert menu item, expressing how she wished they had it....and suddenly John got up to go personally make us a desert that is no longer listed (a nutella peanut butter chocolate smore style creation). I can appreciate that the smore styled desert is probably a pain to make and is why its off the menu, but John actually listened and acted-- that's going above and beyond. You have to try their pizzas Pair a wine with your pizza Ask to meet John you'll be 5 staring Blue Grotto too
(5)Patrick R.
It has everything, yet something's missing. At least for me. I really really really want to love this place. It's my esthetic. Clean, bright, modern. It's in walking distance from my house. It even has one of those garage doors that lifts up at the end of the bar making it feel like there's no wall there, which I so love. And yet, I can't put my finger on it. I'm not a fan. I've tried. Really, I've tried. My most recent visit occurred on Sunday afternoon trying to find a place to have a drink and a non-meal near my house. It was about 3:30-4:00 and after finding some usual watering holes closed, my friend and I decided to try Blue Grotto in Brookside. First off, they have a beautiful deck on the back. I've had drinks there a few times. Again, I can't pinpoint the reason I'm not feeling this place. Maybe I'm too old? Anyway, back to Sunday. Sorry for the senior moment. We walked in the back door, past the closed deck area. We proceeded to the bar. The place is virtually empty. My friend and I take our seats and the bartender comes over almost immediately. I order a Ketel One dirty martini and my friend orders a Cosmopolitan (it's her go-to drink). The drinks are brought to us. Now, here's where I get picky. I want a glass. Made of glass. Not a stainless steel martini glass. I don't like the taste of metal. Strike one. Heavy on the vermouth. Ugh. I did say very dry, right? Strike two. Honestly, am I too picky?? I'm still grumbling about the quality of the drink as my friend wipes her lips and says "that was tasty". I decide to switch it up and order a simple cranberry juice and vodka. (A coddah, for you landlubbers), which goes down nicely and pairs well (at least with my tastebuds) with the simple margarita pizza we've ordered. Pizza? Good. Very edible. Delicious? Maybe. The funny thing is, as I'm writing this, I'm getting the same feeling I had when I was there. Something isn't right. I just don't know/can't figure out what it is. Even on my most alcohol-infused days (read: Brookside-Snake parade day-10AM-Bloody Mary) I can't get past a feeling of unease. If you're over 50, read this. If you're not, attribute this to a grumpy older man who can't remember where he left his car keys on a daily basis so who does he think he is talking about restaurants when he should be eating at Bob Evans. Recommend: Deck on a nice day, bar on a nice day (when the door is up) Not recommended: Going there with me
(3)Mark L.
Waited an hour and twenty minutes. No food. Poor service. Won't be back.
(1)Ginnyvette B.
Really good pizza, though I'm very disappointed that the prosciutto and dried fig pizza was removed from the menu. Now, I order the four-cheese with prosciutto and am charged an extra $3.00 for the prosciutto. Disappointing, as I like this place a lot. Great space, good patio. Hate the plastic cups used on the patio for water and hate the noise level upstairs. Unbearable.
(3)Quinn E.
I absolutely love Blue Grotto, it is by far some of the best food that I have had since moving to KC almost a year ago. The plates are pretty reasonably priced but small, which means that you usually need to get a few which can get a little pricey. However, if you are like me and are a fan of trying a little bit of everything then I would recommend BG to you in a heart beat. My boyfriend and I went there for dinner a few Fridays ago and our bill ended up being around 60, yes that's a bit pricey for 2, but considering how delicious and high quality the food was I have no complaints! We each had 2 rounds of beer (Boulevard Nutcracker, yummmm), split the Arugula and Roasted Garlic salad ($6), Escargot ($5), Seared Diver Scallops ($14) Guanciale pizza ($14), and finished it all off with the Apple cake ($6) upon the server's suggestion. Also, BG has a KILLER brunch menu, you must try it!
(5)Kate V.
THE BEST patio in town boasts firepits and big wooden corner booths with big, squishy pillows. The pizzas are quite amazing (especially the caprese and the lemon-goat cheese); really, all the small plates are fabulous. They have a limited but very nice wine selection. The servers are always very nice and attentive (though at my last visit, we were neglected for about 25 minutes once we were ready for the check). Desserts are fantastic.
(4)Alee H.
My parents, sister, and I stumbled upon this place when Jalapenos next door had an outrages wait and we were all so glad we did! Since then I've been back at least three times and each time it gets better and better. I've tired many of the pizza's since we usually all order one then end up sharing them, and their all really great! My favorite is the Margherita. The assorted cheese platter was really good too and even though I'm not much of a pasta eater the last time we stopped in my niece ordered some and it was exceptionally good! I really suggest trying this place out for some great pizza and a cold beer.
(4)Keith E.
Went for brunch and the french toast is outrageous. Can't wait to try happy hour.
(5)Sue M.
Yum! I love wood-fired pizza, and have trouble finding the authentic Italian style here in KC. Blue Grotto is delicious with a nice atmosphere, and I like being able to watch the chefs prepare my pizza. Service is slow at times, I don't recommend going in starving. The food is good though, I'm sure we'll be going back.
(3)J P.
The latest KC Foodie event occured at Blue Grotto, a nice pizza place situated next door to The Brooksider on Brookside Plz, right off 63rd street. The restaurant presents itself in an interesting way. When you walk in you have to go through the bar to get to the hostess. I found this slightly confusing, but courageously moved forward with the evening. Black trim, steel accents, and a natural maple floor lend themselves nicely to the environment's modern organic feel. I was meeting my party there, so after a brief verbal exchange with the pleasant hostess, I was directed to go upstairs and around a couple corners. The table we were seated at fit ten and we definitely filled that space. It was positioned alone on a catwalk that served as a visual transition for the bar and restaurant space below. This location had a very light open feel that surprisingly felt rather nice. I was expecting a cafeteria-esque feeling to the meal, but fortunately that never came. When I got to the table I was treated to a barrage of greetings from my enthusiastic friends. This was gonna be a fun night, as long as the food and service were okay. As the night progressed and a couple Boulevard Smokestacks and a few dirties (foodie talk for a dirty martini) were consumed, the appetizers for our meal came. Here's what we ordered: Sun Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Torte, New Zealand Lamb Chops, Roasted Long Stemmed Artichoke Hearts, and P.E.I. mussels. Of these dishes, the highlights would be the cheese torte and the P.E.I. mussels. The mussels come in a chardonnay cream sauce that carries the richness one expects from something like an Alfredo sauce, but is still thin like mussel sauces should be. The cheese torte is like any cheese ball you might find at a decent party, except much less ball-ness and way more flavor goodness. Either of these are a must order. After appetizers came the meal. (As one would expect.) We ordered the following pizzas: Margherita, Salsicca, Spicy Shrimp and Andouille Sausage, and the days special. Of these there is nothing particular to say about any one of them. In general though, they were all very good and larger than expected. My only complaint is that the crust got a little soggy in the middle and couldn't hold its shape. We didn't order dessert and called dinner done after the pizzas. The server couldn't split our bill so we spent the next 25 minutes trying to figure out who owed what. Apparently math is hard after a drink or two. The server herself did a fairly good job. She had to deal with a chaotic group of ten people and only forgot one thing. She didn't anticipate our needs, but was prompt when we voiced one. Overall, Blue grotto is a good place to go. Between an appetizer and a pizza, you could probably feed 3 people and stay under $40 for the table, even with a drink or two. A great place to take a date and definitely worth a visit. The appetizers are where the restaurant sets itself apart, so a light meal and drinks is a great way to experience this modern Brookside pizzeria. kcfoodiesunite.blogspot.…
(3)greg r.
Had a chance to talk with the owner during dinner last week. The staff is truly devoted to their craft. Service was great and the pies were very good. My only criticism is I like a fully cooked crust through the middle but, if your looking for inventive Neapolitan style, give this place a try. I would also recommend Spin Pizzeria and Pizza Bella in Crossroads. Kansas City should be proud to have three very good pizzas to choose.
(4)Mina N.
You know in the movie, Multiplicity, where Michael Keaton's copy of a copy -- the one that's not as sharp as the original -- says "I like pizza! I like it!" That's what I think about whenever I go into a pizza place. It has nothing to do with the review, but I didn't know how to start. Anyway, went on a busy Friday night with the BF. Atmosphere: Very cool space. Almost makes you forget you're next door to the Brooksider. Parking was a little difficult, so just be persistent. We waited at the bar while our table was getting ready (we had a 15-minute wait) and we were greeted immediately by the bartender (Dylan) and he served our drinks very quickly -- I was very impressed as busy as he seemed to be. The hostess seated us promptly as well. It was turning out to be a pretty good start. The interior is really cool. The wood floors next to the cool greytones next to the metal handrails all centered around the stone oven, makes this (almost) architect very happy. And with our luck, we got to sit upstairs overlooking the kitchen! I was very excited. Food: We started by sharing a Small Plate -- Foie Gras Pastrami. Oh dear god how I love Foie Gras! I like my Foie Gras as is, just seared.. I don't want it mixed with anything, I don't want it in pieces within something else, just leave it in its perfect little package, so I was hesitant to pay $11 for what could be mangled Foie Gras in a pastrami sandwich. I asked our server to describe the plate and she did so with no hesitation. I love that! Being a former server for the better part of the last 10 years, I appreciate a server who is willing to step up to the plate, so to speak. The Foie Gras is brined so that it tastes like pastrami. It's kept whole, but sliced and served with a few toast points and a raspberry jam (I think... It was some kind of red fruit jam or chutney, I just can't remember exactly). It was sublime. The first bite made me nervous. It's served cold, which isn't my favorite way of having Foie Gras, and the pastrami taste really hits you. I had it on toast without the jam on that first bite and I was ready to set myself up for disappointment, but then my next bite, with jam, brought it all home... The saltiness of the pastrami brine, with the creaminess of the Foie Gras paired with the subtle sweetness of the jam was a perfect combination. The toast points that were served were nicely toasted too, not so crispy that you get crumbs all over, but crispy enough to hold up to the tasty toppings. My only complaint was that we needed more pieces of toast, we ended up with a couple of Foie Gras slices that didn't have a vessel. I'm not above eating it off my knife, but I had to remain civilized in such a setting. :) Luckily, our pizzas arrived and there was more than enough pizza crust to stand in for the toast. But this is a not a Foie Gras place...On to the pizza, of course. Perhaps I was such in Foie Gras Bliss that I was slightly disappointed in the pizza. Or perhaps I had just realized my pick for the winner of best Neopolitan-style pizza in town -- drum roll -- Pizza Bella. It's not that the pizza was bad. It just tasted bland, at least bland in comparison to what I've had at Pizza Bella. The crust was technically ok -- crispy crust, chewy on the inside -- but it just lacked flavor. The BF had the Salsiccia Pizza which was ok, but it was just meh. I had the Braised Pork Belly Pizza, but again, just meh. Almost a little too oily too. It's not that it was bad pizza, it definitely wasn't. I guess the disappointment came from what I was expecting out of this place. I mean, I had Pork Belly and roasted garlic on mine, so I'm expecting an out-of-body flavor explosion and it wasn't there. The Pork Belly didn't taste spectacular, just greasy and tasted like pork. I wanted it slightly saltier, maybe with a little sweet carmelization from the garlic. And I wanted more garlic. I guess the pizza experience could be summed up as lacking. There was a lot of "negative" space on those crusts. Now, before anyone yells at me, I'm not expecting the meat-lovers cheesemania that you find on Pizza Hut/Papa John's pizzas. I know what "real" pizza / Neopolitan-style pizza is supposed to be. But I was expecting a little more than what I got. I think that is why I have decided that Pizza Bella does pizza better than Blue Grotto. They know how to balance quality and quantity. Service: Our server was fantastic. She had a busy section which included a table of bachelorette party girls, but she had a smile the whole time and spent time at our table as if we were her only one. She was knowledgeable on the menu (second nod to the Foie Gras) and she refilled our drinks as we needed them. The service alone would keep me coming back, so I can give Blue Grotto another chance. There are other pizzas to try. I'll end with: "She touched my peppy, Steve."
(3)Rob C.
Sunday at 9pm or so is typically a bad time to be hungry in KC. So many restaurants are closed, and often the ones you find open probably should have closed... Anyway, the wife and I figured we would be lucky to just to find some decent bar food (yea I know). So we happened to be driving through Brookside and we saw the patio on the Blue Grotto. We decided to take a closer look at the patio and the menu. The menu isn't huge, and the patio isn't either, but both turned out to be far more than we expected. The patio has benches instead of chairs, and they are covered with lots of nice cushions. Instead of the standard table, they have a coffee table, but it is very cozy and romantic. It would have been romantic if we hadn't been dressed more for cleaning the basement than going out, but the staff didn't hold that against us. We ordered the lamb chops, the long stemmed artichoke hearts, and a Salsiccia pizza. To make a long story short, everything we had was a very nice surprise. The food was presented well, and full of flavor. The appetizers were great, but the pizza actually shocked me a little. I just couldn't get over how tasty it was. My wife usually only eats pizza when there is absolutely nothing else, but she devoured half this pizza and might have had more if I hadn't beaten her to it! I don't really get the 2 & 3 star reviews. I have been living in KC (and eating) for nearly 10 years and this is one of the best surprises I have found here, and I eat out a lot. I love pizza in general, but I am rarely ever surprised by it. Rosati's and Jasper's do a great job too, but they still make a pretty standard pizza. The BG really went above and beyond what I expected. So the service is good, the patio with the fire pits, benches and cushions are very unique and the food is delicious. Don't let the other reviews keep you from taking the opportunity to enjoy this place. The only negative I would add is that it isn't cheap. It is not Houston's or Melting Pot expensive, but definitely not McDonalds cheap. If you are on a budget, just grab a pizza to go and enjoy!
(5)Kev L.
WHERE'S THE BEEF??? Sound familiar? Unless you are a hardcore vegetarian, you are not going to be too pleased. Virtually no meat on the menu. We had this pizza sampler with four different kinds of toppings. the only thing worth our time was the cheese and basil slices. Everything else was totally disgusting in flavor and texture. The crust was decent but not anything to scream about. The employees there are also snooty and seem to not care whether you are having a good experience or not. I get the impression that the owner really cares about his/her customers (See the chalk board) but they obviously forgot rule #1 in the restaurant business. Train your associates to smile and care for your clientele just as you would. I recognise a money pit when I see one and that's exactly what this place is. SPIN! Pizza is an incredible alternative. and get this . . . They actually have REAL MEAT toppings for a change. Oh, and for anyone on here who has an issue with my review, shoot me a PM and i'll get your mind right :)
(1)Craig L.
Looking for a great Sunday Brunch? Put Blue Gratto on your list great breakfast pizza and off the hook southern style biscuits and gravy but the big plus easy prices $6-$12
(5)Jill P.
My companion and I did four courses and a bottle of cheap pinot noir. I felt like the restaurant was TOO spacious and a little confusing when you first walk in. No one greeted us and the place was pretty dead when we arrived. The menu wasn't spectacular. None of our food was timed right we basically got all of our food at once. we ordered some sort of tomato and goat cheese appetizer that wasn't very good, our salad was excruciatingly bland. Pizza was really nothing to brag about. Their dessert menu includes smores. The wine was the ONLY good part of our meal. The place eventually filled up. Must have been first timers like us. I would eat here again, but only if they lowered their prices and hired better service. You really don't get what you pay for.
(3)Kristen B.
I loved Blue Grotto's industrial modern interior; lots of concrete, brushed metal and an open air bar made it very unique and aesthetically impressive. Obviously ambiance is only important if the food is good as well and I thought it was delicious. We started out with a sundried tomato torte that had layers of goat cheese. It was perfectly cooked. The main coarse was a funghi pizza with mushrooms and carmelized onions on a thin, brick-oven cooked crust. We thought it was delicious and combined with the ambiance, Blue Grotto is a great, modern upscale pizza place. The service was professional, prompt and knowledgable. There is a full bar and although I was sober-Sally this evening, everything I saw being poured and served looked up to par with the food. I am not sure why there are two votes for no alchohol, as there is a full bar and they have a Happy Hour special...
(4)Briana O.
Pretty, pretty good! I went here with a group of girl friends on a Wednesday night to have a nice, but affordable night out with some wine and gourmet pizza! It was perfect for a girls' night out. Six of us each had a glass of wine and split three pizzas, and spent about $15 each! Pretty good deal for what we got--I would recommend the pizza with the spinach and I think gorgonzola (or some kind of stinky cheese!) The service was OK, we felt a little snubbed at first because they looked at the group of girls and thought "great, they'll be here a while." But when they messed up one of our pizzas, they made sure to fix it right away, and our waitress was cool about splitting our tickets 6 ways. Good night, good talk, good wine, good pizza!
(4)Sarah L.
This place is relatively new in Brookside...I think it used to be Einstein Brothers or something like that. At any rate, my husband and I were really excited to try it out, so we stopped in on our way out of Carmen's one night. It's really cool on the inside. Garage window in front, small bar area with a few hightops. Dark wood, impressive display. The food is okay. Nothing to sneeze at. They basically have pizzas and a salad or two. Nothing fancy, and not very memorable. Good place for a cocktail and appetizer. We happened to be there on opening night, and it was quite chaotic. Our waitress - who looked like she'd been through the ringer, hair mussed and all - promptly informed us that we should order two of whatever beverage we chose since she probably wouldn't be around for quite some time. When we told her we wouldn't be eating, she said, "Oh good. It's our first night, we're understaffed and well - the kitchen is going down in flames." At least she was honest? We need to try again before my opinion is set in stone, but I just wasn't impressed. Update: i have now changed my opinion of this joint. My hubby and I decided to check it out once more the other night, and it's been redeemed. The service was excellent. We ordered a fruit and cheese tray that rivals a JP's Wine Bar fruit and cheese tray, and the pizza we had (fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes) was delicious! The atmosphere was really cool. I'll go back!
(4)Peter H.
Terrible food!!!! Don't waste your time on this place. While the ambience was okay, the pizza flat out sucked!! My girl and I ordered different pizzas, and neither of us could stomach more than 2 slices. It was far too dry with little to no toppings, and the ingredients did not work at all. Do not believe any of these 3-5 star reviews, this place's food is atrocious!
(1)todd b.
Atmosphere is eclectic, modern and very well done and love the fact that I can spy on my food being made. However, $50+ for pizza and wine was a bit too much for me. Worth the one-time try, then you be the judge if you want to go back.
(3)Brian C.
I used to really love this place, but they apparently have a new chief that has completely changed the menu. Besides not being good, the quality of the ingredients has gone down hill... badly. It tasted like something you would expect to get at Denny's.
(2)Carrie H.
one of my very first dining out experiences here in kansas city, and i was thoroughly disappointed. the menu consists of mostly salads and specialty pizzas made from a gorgeous brick oven. we weren't able to sit upstairs to peer over the the railing to look into the kitchen, but sitting next to the chefs was impressive too. for as busy and hard working as they were, i expected an awesome dinner. instead, too little sauce, too much oregano, dried out toppings, and semi burned edges. the dough was good, chewy and made from scratch. the toppings were fresh. the wine list extensive. but for what you're paying? you could do better.
(2)Wes H.
First time eating here was in the first week of operation. My understanding is that restaurants sometimes need a bit of time to hit their stride. So, I reserved judgment. Two subsequent visits and varied menu items later, have found no change in assessment. If as much effort went into the recipes as went into the artsy presentation of toppings the level of taste may be elevated higher than it's current unmemorable blandness. I really like wood roasted pizza. Wood roasted pizza restaurants tend to be creative and original with the selections of toppings. I didn't find this to be the case at Blue Grotto. It seems all the creativity went into the ambiance. While they may have been successful in creating a "place to be seen sipping wine" - it will only work as long as none take the time to scrutinize the food.
(2)J L.
never been disappointed. lunch is a great deal $7 pizzas and great salads. the back deck area is great in the evening.
(5)