Wine Flights & Chef's Whites

JP's Wine Bar has become a bit of an obsession as of late. I've been there recently for after work drinks, a meeting or two which ended in drinks and a wine flight before dinner reservations downtown. You name it and I have used it as an excuse to drink a flight or two at this watering hole.

I can't help it, with catchy and clever names for their wine flights like "Get Sideways" and "Like Butta" given by their creator Owner/Sommelier/Mixologist Ryan Maybee . . all I can say is,"I'll drink to that!"

Combine good juice with a beautiful and tasty local cheese plate and other nibbles from hilarious and truly talented Executive Chef Darren Bartley and I ask you; why would want to go anywhere else for a drink and a bite when you are visiting downtown? They make it so easy, don't they? Probably too easy for me.

Recently, I have discovered my favorite time to visit JP's is Saturday afternoons between the hours of 3 pm - 5 pm. If you happen to find yourself at JP's at that day and time, sit outside on their patio for front row seats to witness the changing of the guard from the Power & Light District as the lunch shift comes off and the dinner shift goes on. See them pass as singles or in groups of 2's and 4's making the long walk across the I-70 bridge either coming from or going to the parking lots around JP's Wine Bar.

Those that are walking towards the Power & Light on their way to work are typically moving briskly and seem somber and serious as they put their game face on to get ready for whatever the night is going to throw at them. Contrast those people with the ones walking away from the Power & Light toward their cars, their homes and freedom. These people are usually half undressed, carrying some portion of their uniform, talking on their cell or texting madly to find out where the party will be that night. If they are walking in groups you might hear laughter, or see a smile on their faces as they talk about their night off and how they plan to spend it.

It is a magnificent sight to see. So many of our city's talented cooks and Chefs proudly sporting their whites as they walk into work. Crisp and clean going in, and dirty and accomplished coming out. Who knows the type of action those whites have seen during their shift on the clock?

You will also see Servers, dressed all in black, carry hats or aprons with color logos that announce to the world which team they are playing for that night. Watch them as they stroll swiftly toward their restaurant, head cocked firmly to the left with their cell phone nailed between their ear and their shoulder trying to get that last bit of contact with the outside world in before they have to clock in. See them walking with aprons tucked haphazardly under their armpit, strings dragging the ground as they dig in their purses, satchels or pockets to check for their waiter wallets, a lighter and their favorite wine key . . .or if they are coming off shift see them counting tip money all the way to their cars.

I spoke to Ryan briefly about this daily parade outside his front door, and he said that as more and more of the Power & Light restaurants have opened the parking around his restaurant has become a challenge for his guests, as they circle around and around looking for a parking spot that never opens up. He is working with the city right now to find a happy solution for all.

I hope they do work to find an equitable solution, as I would hate to think that my little Saturday afternoon delight could be interrupted.

Honestly, the highlight of my recent patio visit was seeing Chef Rob Dalzell of 1924 Main, Souperman, Pizza Bella and chefBurger fame riding his bike, lickety-split, down the sidewalk right next to JP's patio where I was sitting. He was zooming from the lunch shift at chefBurger down to 1924 Main to spend some time in the kitchen there. Rob is known to ride to and from all of his restaurants during the day to check in, work a shift, whatever the schedule demands. I would have called out to him and chatted him up for a moment, but on his bike, in between shifts . . .and restaurants . . . he looks like a very busy man in need of some uninterrupted time on his bike.

I can appreciate that . . .and him, so I am happy to keep sitting and sippin' at JP's Wine Bar for the best free Foodie show in town.

Comments

[DLC]

JP's has really good food too. It's weird, i never noticed the patio, but it's been a while since I was there. Maybe it's a smoking ban thing.

Oh, and I think Dalzell has the parking problem figured out.

[Jenny V.]

DLC . . .the food is excellent at JP's, you are right. You have to meet Chef Darren, he is a very funny and dedicated Chef and the best story-teller I have heard in a while. I'm with you, everyone should bike to work that lives and works downtown. P.S. Gotta thank you for turning me on to Pizza Man. Lenexa is my neck of the woods and that place has the best food. Thanks for the tip.