Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Fine Dining and Jazz Create an Exceptional Experience

Life should be celebrated, should it not? The big moments and the small ones all deserve to be marked by the gathering of family and friends to raise a glass or share a meal. That is the vision of Sullivan’s Steakhouse: to celebrate life. To celebrate food. To celebrate the kinetic energy that is created when great people and great food come together.

The KC location in Leawood, Kansas, boasts the first female executive chef in the Sullivan’s family, a homegrown aficionado by the name of Taylor Fluevog. Her scratch kitchen hand makes every single item in house, and they also do their own butchering. Chef Taylor and general manager Lisa Carl lead an all-female executive team and together they have secured Sullivan’s place at the top of the food chain among high-end steakhouses in Kansas City.

Chef Taylor’s filet mignon, a flavorful, tender, indulgent filet cooked to mouth-watering perfection, is reason enough to put Sullivan’s on your list of Must Get To restaurants. I recently sliced into mine with a butter knife and reverently took my first bite. After a few moments of foodie nirvana, I looked at the friend who was dining with me. “This,” I said. “This.” It was the only word I could come up with. I’m not sure I will ever thoroughly enjoy any other steak because this one is the crown jewel. You don’t need sauce so don’t bother. The only thing this steak needs is a glass of fine red wine–I recommend the Private Reserve Cabernet–and a moment alone with you. The filet is one of several entrees available as part of The Sure Thing, a three-course meal designed to highlight some of Sullivan’s most desired selections. The Sure Thing is a great value at $44, and is available Monday through Saturday.

While the restaurant is dinner only, Happy Hour begins at 3:00 p.m., Sunday through Friday, in the bar. The bar menu is delicious from top to bottom, but I highly recommend the Ahi Tuna Nachos. Pair it with the signature Knockout martini and you’ve got a very happy Happy Hour. If you come on a Thursday or a Sunday for Swingin’ at Sully’s, you’ll enjoy happy hour prices all night long in the bar plus an impressive lineup of live music. Jazz is the genre of choice at Sullivan’s, creating a vibe that’s charged and nostalgic. The experience here can be whatever you want it to be; there are a variety of spaces that cultivate different moods.

The bar is for the Swing Kid; there is a lively, stylish feel to the space that invites you to unwind and loosen your tie. The Library is a more intimate dining space, also available for private dining, that allows you to lean in and enjoy a more mellow and sophisticated meal. The main dining room, open to the kitchen and glowing with warm romantic light, is a place to see and be seen. And the year-round patio welcomes the casual guest who values al fresco ambiance alongside upscale food and drink. Whatever your notion of fine dining is, Sullivan’s caters to it.

Sullivan’s hosts a variety of special events designed to open up the world of fine dining to anyone who cares to learn. On the second Friday of each month, they offer a wine tasting and educational presentation by a local sommelier. On the last Friday of each month, there is a spirit tasting, also with a presentation designed to educate spirit enthusiasts for only $20.

Sullivan’s features quarterly wine dinners as well. They include four to five chef-created courses in a certain theme, with  wine pairings for each course. The next wine dinner is May 19; a Spanish-themed menu will be featured. Wine is something Sullivan’s does very, very well. They proudly offer an award-winning wine list, according to Wine Spectator. They also have four sommeliers on staff to assist guests in selecting the perfect varietal to accompany their meal. Their team of servers and bartenders completes required wine education sessions four days per week, making this guest service team one of the most educated in the city.

May brings us flowers, and also Mother’s Day Brunch, a Sullivan’s tradition. Brunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and for $39 you may choose one starter, an entree and a dessert. The entree options include Prime Rib, my beloved Filet Mignon, Lump Crabcake Benedict and Roasted Rack of Lamb, among others. For dessert, you’ll have a choice of New York Cheesecake, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Cake. And of course there are featured cocktails; mimosas, Bloody Marys and Blood Orange Screwdrivers are highly recommended with your brunch favorites.

Sullivan’s offers a Rare Rewards program that gives you one point for every dollar you spend. You will receive special offers and promotions exclusively for rewards members; it’s a great excuse to eat here often! You can sign up online or in the restaurant during your next visit.

The romance, energy, sophistication and style of this restaurant make it one of the best steakhouse destinations in the city. You will taste the immense talent in the kitchen, making meals memorable with the highest quality ingredients available, and you’ll enjoy superb service from beginning to end. ■

Visit Sullivan’s Steakhouse at 4501 119th Street, Leawood, Kansas, sullivanssteakhouse.com or call 913-345-0800.