Alexander Austin

Interior reno, new chef launch Ambassador Hotel's 'The American Reserve Bar & Grille'

The American Reserve Bar & Grille, formerly known as the Reserve Restaurant & Lounge, located in the Ambassador Hotel, Autograph Collection is now open to the public with a vastly transformed interior, new chef, revamped menu, expanded wine list, patio debut and, of course, a new name.

The American Reserve renovated and expanded the existing space inside the Ambassador Hotel by reconfiguring the layout, allowing for 25 additional seats.

The redefined interior features all new hardwood floors throughout the restaurant and a color palette consisting of gold, dark grey and purples with white marble tabletops and velvet seating, creating a swanky and intimate ambiance.

The transformed restaurant now offers more than 180 different bottles of wine, a new patio area and a weekend brunch menu.

The final touch to the transformation included hiring Bryant Wigger to the helm as the executive chef. Wigger holds a Culinary Science degree from Orange Coast College and launched his career at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

The soulful and regionally inspired new menu includes starters, salads, entrees, from the grill, sides and desserts. Alongside the new dinner menu, The American Reserve debuts a brand-new weekend brunch menu offering brunch cocktails, egg-centric entrees, sandos, bowls and hashes, sweet sides and lighter fare options.

The brunch menu is available Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dishes include Chicken Fried Steak, Croque “MO damn,” Baked Custard French Toast, South of the Border Egg White Frittata and Bacon Fried Rice, as well as nine brunch cocktails including Cinnamon Bourbon Milk Punch and bottomless mimosas.

The new restaurant elevated its bar program by expanding its wine list from 30 to 180 different bottles of wine led by The American Reserve’s certified sommelier, Eric Willey. The new world-class wine list features world-wide wine options by the glass or the bottle.

Adding even more space, The American Reserve is debuting a new patio space with a total guest capacity of 75. The patio is open on Friday and Saturday evenings and offers full food and drink service. Guests can enjoy live jazz music from 7-10 p.m. It is also open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live music on Sundays featuring throwback hits from the 80s and 90s. The patio showcases artwork by local standout artist Alexander Austin.

About The American Reserve

The American Reserve, the signature restaurant of the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection, is a local, full-service restaurant serving contemporary American-style cuisine led by Executive Chef Bryant Wigger. The American Reserve offers a stunningly swanky ambiance to accompany its world-class service. The American Reserve is located in downtown Kansas City, Mo. at 1111 Grand Boulevard and can be found online at ReserveKC.com