Hollywood occasionally remakes classic movies, integrating exciting new concepts with those things that fans have come to love. This is exactly what the new owners have done with Marina 27, the only restaurant on Lake Lotawana as well as the only place in the Kansas City area with waterfront dining for the public. (The new name refers the 27 miles of shoreline at the lake.)
“We describe it as fine dining with a casual twist,” says Lance McFarland, executive chef and managing partner. “Marina Grog and Galley had an amazing run of 26 years, which is incredible in the restaurant business, but we wanted to create our own identity and let everyone know that what is going on here is new and fresh.”
Marina Grog and Galley was a mainstay at the lake from 1993 until McFarland and partner Roger Accurso took the property over early this year. They went to work renovating the former boathouse from top to bottom. One of the first things longtime customers will notice is that the large aquariums are gone and the bar has been moved to the second floor. This not only opens up more seating on the main floor—with every table having a lake view—but also creates a casual alternative upstairs.
The new Wooden Boat Bar on the upper level pays tribute to the restaurant’s nautical heritage, as well as the lake’s wooden boat club.
“The bar is beautiful,” McFarland says. “It looks like the back of a wooden cruiser, so you feel like you’re actually on a boat.”
Other upgrades include new flooring that resembles boat decking, a new patio, and an outdoor bar.
The restaurant has always been a popular spot for anniversaries, weddings and other special occasions. The renovation now gives diners the option of fine dining downstairs or a more casual atmosphere upstairs.
“We now have a bar bites menu with such items as burgers, fish and chips, sliders and flatbread pizza for people who just want to stop in for a bite,” he says. “Our goal with the bar bites menu and the specials we run during the week is to keep local customers coming in and feeling like they can get top-quality food at a reasonable price. We also still have high-end steaks and fresh seafood for people who want a fine-dining experience.”
Local residents have packed the restaurant since it reopened in late July.
“We definitely are getting more local people,” McFarland says. “There was a lot of excitement and anticipation out here in the local community of Lake Lotawana and Lee’s Summit. A lot of local people are coming who weren’t necessarily customers before.”
Although the waterfront setting and ambience are big draws, the food is what keeps loyal customers coming back. Diners can expect to pay from around $15 to $20 for an appetizer and burger or from $30 to $50 for steaks or seafood.
“We serve locally farmed steaks from Kansas that are processed in St. Louis,” he says. “We receive seafood from around the globe, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We have a Chilean sea bass that is impressing a lot of people, and our crab legs are the biggest we can get. Seared scallops are a signature dish that we are getting a lot of great feedback on.”
With 65 wine lockers, diners can find the perfect beverage to complement any meal, with a 25 percent discount on Wine Wednesday each week.
“We feel we have a well-priced and extensive wine list,” McFarland says. “We have a wide variety, and if any regular customers request a certain wine, we will bring it in.”
Fall is an ideal time to visit Marina 27, with pleasant weather for outdoor dining and new items on the fall menu. It also is a reminder that the holiday season is fast approaching. Gift cards in any amount are available, and the Starboard Tasting Room is available for parties of up to 50 people.
With more than 5,000 square feet, a seating occupancy of 358 and a large outdoor patio, Marina 27 is ideal for social distancing. Because it has been so popular since reopening, McFarland strongly encourages reservations.
Although Marina 27 is only 20 minutes from Kansas City, it truly is a destination, not simply a restaurant.
“From the ambience to the newness of the remodel to the food to the view of the lake, we feel we have the best restaurant in eastern Jackson County,” McFarland said. “We have everything from great service to an outdoor bar. The Marina Grog and Galley was a grand old lady, but all grand old ladies need a facelift. That’s what we did here. We want to keep the momentum going, but at the same time let everyone know it’s new and fresh.”
Menus and additional information are available at www.marina27.com.