Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts are expanding their popular Rye restaurant concept to a second location this fall. The new 7,000-square-foot restaurant will be at 4646 J.C. Nichols Parkway on the Country Club Plaza, in the space previously occupied by Morton’s Grille.
The couple also owns Rye in Leawood at Mission Farms and the Bluestem in Westport. Bluestem was a 2015, 2016 and 2017 James Beard Semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant.
“Being able to embark on what is now our third restaurant is a direct reflection of how much the Kansas City food scene has grown,” said Colby Garrelts, the 2013 James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Midwest. “This is my hometown and having the opportunity to open Rye in a location so iconic to our city is incredible.”
Jeff and Joy Stehney, owners of Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, have also invested in the restaurant.
At the core of the married chefs’ restaurants are fresh, locally sourced ingredients and flavors with menu items that reflect the community.
Rye on The Plaza will feature the culinary skills of executive chef John Brogan, who previously was at the Leawood location, in combination with Colby Garrelts. Pastry chef Keara Masson will team up with Megan Gerrelts to produce specialty pies, cakes and other desserts. Megan Gerrelts is a James Beard Semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef.
The new restaurant will feature a large bar. The main dining room can seat 120 guests, and two private dining rooms are will be available for corporate events, wedding rehearsals, family celebrations and other occasions. Sidewalk seating will also be available.
Rye on The Plaza will serve breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and dinner seven days a week at 4 p.m. Weekend brunch will be offered from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to the restaurants, the Garrelts have bottled a line of BBQ and hot sauces that can be purchased individually or in sets. Pies and cakes may also be purchased to take home. The Garrelts are the authors of two cookbooks, bluestem the cookbook and Made In America.
