Talk of the Town Leawood: Homemade Goodness in a Family Atmosphere

Talk of the Town in Leawood is an eatery that deserves to be on the tip of your tongue, no matter if you’re singing the praises of this hometown, family restaurant to friends and neighbors or enjoying the tastes from its delicious menu offerings or the extensive list of hand-crafted beverages, wines and craft beer. A knowledgeable and attentive wait staff is sure to please.

Talk of the Town has been a go-to spot in the Overland Park area for nearly 20 years. About six years ago the owners decided to expand to Leawood. The restaurant opened to great success maintaining its goal of superb food and drink with the family in mind. General Manager Nicole Marx says Talk of the Town Leawood features a family-friendly atmosphere that promotes a fun environment for people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest.

“We really have a family atmosphere here; parents can kick back and relax and enjoy a cocktail before leaving for a movie or a Royals game. We feature pinball machines and patio games for the little ones and a kids’ menu with kid-sized pizzas, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, desserts and many more items,” she shared. “Overall, our food is reasonably priced and the highest quality. We make a lot of our products in house, rather than getting them pre-made.”

One of those made-from-scratch items appearing in the appetizers section of the menu is the mozzarella sticks. Thick and hand battered with a crunchy goodness, they’re a gooey delight and quite filling. The marinara sauce alongside is sure to please. They’re a must-have to start the meal or to complement your beer.

If a sandwich is more to your liking, check out Talk of the Town Leawood’s Avocado Chicken Panini, its most popular sandwich. The grilled chicken is moist and tender, highlighted by the avocado, strips of crisp bacon, touch of ranch dressing and fresh jack cheese. It’s layered on a bed of tasty sourdough bread, locally created by long-time KC-staple Roma Bakery. Crunchy sweet potato fries complement the dish.

To-die-for offerings at Talk of the Town Leawood are the Baja Fish Tacos, featuring cod lightly coated in a unique Boulevard Wheat beer batter that’s made in house. Corn salsa, cabbage and jack cheese, enhanced by a tasty chipotle sauce, are piled onto the generous portion of fish resting in a flour tortilla. Spanish rice and refried beans are offered as sides. Baja Fish Tacos are specially priced on Fridays at $8.99. If you’re not in the mood for this dish, Friday-feature items also include Fish and Chips or Country Fried Chicken.

Nicole has just finished tweaking the Talk of the Town Leawood menu by bringing on a special favorite that is now a staple, the Mahi Mahi Salad. The fish is perfectly grilled, offering a firm flesh that’s really more like a steak than a fillet. It’s complemented by blueberries, cranberries, almonds and goat cheese on a bed of mixed salad greens. It’s served with a grilled lemon as a suggested dressing for the dish. Placing the lemon on the grill tones down its tartness, which makes it delightful on the taste buds. Consider pairing it with a glass of Dark Horse rosé wine, light and not overly sweet and a top seller at Talk of the Town Leawood.

The hours of operation at Talk of the Town Leawood, 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., are sure to fit just about any schedule. Booths and tables are great spots to dine, and an outdoor patio is also offered. The kitchen remains open until midnight each evening to help quell your late-night munchies. The eatery also features a breakfast menu on Saturday and Sunday, with service from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

“Our breakfast menu includes a little bit of everything,” noted Nicole. “Build your own omelet, biscuits and gravy, eggs to order and a kids’ menu. We also have a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, created with our own mix recipe.” One item sure to please is the Anti-Oxidant Breakfast, two eggs over easy, guacamole and two slices of delicious wheatberry toast, which totally makes the dish with its slightly sweet, crunchy texture. Skillet potatoes are served on the side. Pairing this plate with the Bloody Mary is a great way to start the day.

While food is the highlight at Talk of the Town Leawood, Nicole is quick to point out the outstanding selection of handcrafted drinks, prepared to delight the eye and tickle the taste buds. The eatery is a huge supporter of locally crafted beer. Nicole has also expanded the wine list to please the most discriminating.

Nicole shares that Talk of the Town Leawood can host your next event in its private meeting room. Enjoy your own TVs for watching videos and games or have a business meeting. Best of all, there’s no minimum fee to use it. Nicole suggests that if you want a weekend date, call to reserve at least a month in advance. For a weekday event, seven days is usually enough time.

Schedule your next weekend breakfast, family night or lunch date at Talk of the Town Leawood. An extensive menu of delicious food paired with excellent drinks, beers and wines will please every palate. Word of mouth says Talk of the Town Leawood is the place to be. ■

To learn more, visit talkofthetowngrill.com.