New Owners Plan to Raise BLVD Tavern Crossroads Profile

By Kevin Collison

A young family with strong restaurant management experience want to raise the profile of BLVD Tavern, a Crossroads establishment that can be easily missed on busy Southwest Boulevard.

Derich Carlson and Grace Ryan recently purchased the tavern which has been in business for seven years at 320 Southwest Boulevard. They want to expand its hours to take advantage of its central location in the arts district.

Like others, Ryan was pleasantly surprised to discover BLVD while out for brunch.

“We didn’t know about it either,” she said. “This place fell into our laps. We loved it right away and saw the potential.”

Under the previous management, the tavern wasn’t open for lunch week days, closed at 10 p.m. and had limited weekend hours.

“We can expand on it even more,” Carlson said. “We want to do lunch and attract the late crowd at night.”

BLVD Tavern has a shady alley patio that seats 20.

The plan is to be open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and still undetermined Sunday hours. They also hope to ultimately be open Monday and Tuesday too.

And it is a family behind the venture. Their five-month-old daughter, Zoey, was on hand during a recent interview.

The tavern itself has a comfortable feel, brick walls, sturdy wood tables and chairs, and a traditional bar serving local microbrews.

Carlson and Ryan met while working for Red Door Grill. He was the culinary partner at all six Red Door locations, and she was managing partner in Brookside and later Leawood.

“We wanted to be our own boss and we saw a unique opportunity here,” he said. “The Crossroads Arts District is awesome.”

The couple want to up the drink menu game at BLVD Tavern, but hold onto the food favorites and focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

BLVD Tavern is tucked away along busy Southwest Boulevard in the Crossroads.

Entrees include burgers, French Dip sandwiches, Steak Frites, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Shrimp & Grits. Appetizers include carnitas nachos and fried mushrooms. There’s also a steak salad and grilled chicken salad.

The tavern also has a brunch menu with a biscuit and gravy, fried cheese curds and a giant soft pretzel with Tank 7 smoked gouda cheese sauce.

In addition to the dining area, BLVD has an event space that can accommodate up to 70 people, and an outdoor patio alley that seats 20. Carlson said there’s a potential for live music on weekends.

“We want this to be a gathering place for people to meet and feel comfortable at home,” Ryan said.

Carlson added, “a good place for food, cold drinks and making a memory.”

BLVD Tavern is planning a “new ownership party” on May 31.