Julie Jordan is an Editor at Large for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand for 27 years, writing cover stories and features and managing special issues including the Beautiful Issue and Sexiest Man Alive.
I've lived in Kansas City for almost 19 years, and I'm not sure there's ever been this kind of anticipation for a new restaurant.
With the grand opening of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce's 1587 Prime, set for Sept. 17, I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek of the Noble 33 eatery and sample the cocktails and menu during one its preview nights (along with my husband Terry, who was more than happy to be my plus-one).
Nestled inside the Loews Hotel in downtown K.C., the two-story contemporary steakhouse has its own valet for guests, which made it easy to make our way through the wooden double doors and narrow tunnel-like entrance said to emulate a players walk into an NFL stadium. Behind the host stand are refrigerated glass displays showcasing the premium cuts of dry-aged steaks while lighted wine cases line another nearby wall.
Once we checked in, we sat at the large horseshoe-shaped bar with marble countertops and bronze chairs while we waited briefly for our table. We were quick to admire the curved wood beam ceiling, grand staircase, plush seating and luxe décor with gold and bronze accents.
After perusing the drink menu created by Noble 33 beverage director Juan Carlos Santana, we started with two of "the players" cocktails. My husband had the Big Yeti, named for Kelce, a bourbon drink the bartender infused with smoke in front of us, while I had the Queen B, after Patrick's wife Brittany Mahomes, a Grey Goose lychee concoction that was perfectly sweet and light.
When our table was ready, we were seated in a corner banquette on the first level across from a beautifully tiled stage where the house band performed jazz and '80s and '90s style music throughout the night. The singers even danced up the winding marble staircase during songs to entertain guests on the floor above us with its open kitchen, intricate star-shaped light fixtures, and panoramic views behind soft drapes.
A tableside martini cart was busy with other patrons so we ordered the remaining two "players" cocktails: the Showtime, Patrick's nickname, and The Alchemy, after the song Taylor Swift wrote for her now-fiancé, Kelce on her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department. Terry appreciated the Showtime for its aged rum blended with coconut, coffee, lime soda and Coors Light syrup (Patrick's favorite beer) -- although I did laugh when he took a sip and said, "That does not taste like Coors Light."
The Alchemy was an amazing presentation of a martini glass filled with a citrus vodka blend, berry juices, curacao and oolong with a lemon twist. The base of the glass features steel wool that is lit on fire prior to drinking, causing sparks to indeed fly. It also happened to be delicious and seemed to tip its hat to what might be Swift’s preferred beverage that she’s often been spotted with during Chiefs games.
The food menu, created by Executive Chef Ryan Arnold, was equally impressive -- and hard to narrow down. For appetizers, we ended up opting for the tuna tartare with truffle ponzu sauce, lobster rolls with caviar, and black truffle grilled cheese with tomato soup. While all of them were heavenly, my husband and I agreed the tuna was the best we'd ever had (and we lived in L.A. for 11 years), even more of a pleasant surprise in a landlocked state like Kansas.
Then it was on to the entrees with options including steaks, wild king salmon, lobster tails, chicken parmesan, oysters and more, like the Big Red wagyu burger, for which Chiefs coach Andy Reid apparently gave his input. Wagyu lovers have four different cuts to choose from -- including a 40-ounce wagyu Tomahawk -- and the restaurant even offers tableside flambé with a bone marrow butter and brandy. My petite filet prime cut and Terry's steak frites were tender and cooked to perfection while our sides of mashed potatoes and mac & cheese only furthered our appreciation for the chef.
Despite already being absurdly full, we had to order a few desserts -- the carrot cake, which could have easily appeased four people, and the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream served in a hot iron skillet, the way to go if warm gooey cookie is your jam. Even better, we took home two bags of leftovers and I can safely say our son Sawyer is now a fan as well.
The restaurant, which can seat almost 240 guests, was bustling and yet we could still hear ourselves talk over nearby conversations and the live music. The upscale venue and vibe felt very New York City and L.A., which I always appreciate here in the Midwest. And when Hollywood or famous fiancées come calling? There's a semi-private dining area upstairs for more than 40 guests and a private dining room for up to 20 with a discreet VIP entrance.
Almost everyone I know locally tried (unsuccessfully) to get reservations the day the line opened but the good news is, the bar is open seating for now. I'll definitely aim for a few happy hours until we're lucky enough to enjoy Mahomes and Kelce's efforts again.
Created by the hospitality group Noble 33 and its founders, Tosh Berman and Mikey Tanha, 1587 Prime releases reservations daily and can be booked 30 days in advance. The grand opening is on Patrick's 30th birthday, Sept. 17, at 1500 Baltimore Ave. in Kansas City.