Cuisine, Atmosphere and Service: The Best of YaYa’s Euro Bistro

Serving its eclectic fare to Kansas City customers for 22 years, award-winning YaYa’s Euro Bistro is part of an elite group of restaurants that have withstood the test of time. Standing on the foundation of tried and true recipes from co-founder Paul Khoury’s grandmother, this restaurant provides a unique sense of homestyle comfort and trendy sophistication. “Yia Yia” is Greek for grandmother; the restaurant is named for the Khoury family matriarch, who was a frequent traveler throughout Europe, where she collected inspiration for her own cooking.

General Manager Austin Deforest and Executive Chef Travis Pyle run the show with innovative menus and consistently exceptional service. After 22 years in the business, the restaurant is settled and confident in both its cuisine and ambiance, but the enterprising pair is always willing to evolve and adapt to prevailing culinary trends through seasonal menus and daily specials.

Austin and Travis recently rolled out their new Fall/Winter menu. The seasonal menu gives Travis the opportunity to flex his creativity and offer variety to customers. Travis is an accomplished chef, and has mastered the original recipes while adding his own creations to the YaYa’s repertoire. The well-loved signature items are available year round, but each season you will find fresh and exciting new dishes to try.

The sea scallops with saffron orzo, vegetables and crab are a delicious option for the waistline-conscious diner. And I love the more decadent gnocchi small plate, with roasted chicken and a gorgonzola cream sauce, finished with spinach and spiced walnuts. And, of course, the oak-fired pizza and pizzetas are always a palate-pleasing choice.

YaYa’s offers a versatile lunch scene and adapts readily to the dining needs of their guests. It is quite popular among the ladies who lunch, especially on Fridays, when bottles of wine are $10 off from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. But if it’s a quick business lunch you need, the wait staff ensures that you are on your way within an hour. Our HERLIFE Magazine team loves the lunchtime vibe here, and the grilled salmon salad is often an important (and tasty!) part of the brainstorming process.

There’s a unique incentive to solo diners who stop in for a quick bite at lunch. For parties of one eating at the bar, they offer a complimentary soup or side salad with the purchase of an entree. Thirsty? On Wednesdays, signature martinis are $5 all day long.

You can tell so much about a restaurant by the demeanor and attitude of the staff. YaYa’s enjoys a fiercely loyal staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant for more than ten years. Both Austin and Travis attribute much of the restaurant’s long-standing success to the staff, both front of the house and in the kitchen. And successful it is, so much so that reservations are encouraged any night of the week.

“Good food doesn’t cancel out bad service,” Austin said. “You have to have both if you want people to keep coming back, and we do.” This investment in the highest standard of service and superior quality ingredients is why YaYa’s has remained a local favorite for so long. “We have people who have dined with us for years; they become like family to us. They continue to come here because the service and the food can be counted upon to be consistent and delicious.”

Patrons can also count on a happy Happy Hour, any day of the week! YaYa’s is seven days a week from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The bar, accented with a colorful mosaic tile backsplash, is the heart of the restaurant. Perhaps it’s the warmth from the large oak-fired brick oven or the friendly smile from the bartender that make it feel like the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day. Martinis and signature cocktails are $5.50, well cocktails are $3, domestic bottles are $2 and house wines are $4 a glass. They also offer a wide selection of appetizers ranging from $4 to $9.

YaYa’s is committed to guest comfort in all aspects of the dining experience, which begins before you even walk in the door. They recently introduced complimentary valet parking, available Thursday through Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m. Your car will be parked in the neighboring garage, covered and safe from the elements, while you enjoy a cocktail and a lovely dinner.

Special events are something to talk about at YaYa’s. Jenny Robinson, the full-time event coordinator, can turn your occasion into an affair to remember. She coordinates parties both in-house and at other KC venues. The banquet room can accommodate up to 80 guests, and a smaller private dining room is also available. If you prefer another location, YaYa’s is happy to cater events of any size, including corporate events and private home dinner parties.

Whether you’re in search of eclectic European fare or a good old American favorite, the staff at YaYa’s will treat you like family, just like Yia Yia Khoury would have wanted it. Check out their website for details on more great features like weekend brunch, tasting events, and special promotions. You can also join their e-club to receive discounts and rewards. ■

YaYa’s Euro Bistro is located at 7021 W. 135th Street, Overland Park, Kansas. Check the menu and specials at yayaskc.com.