Mineral Lounge offers Mediterranean tastes and tone to the Midwest

Photo by Charity K Photography

Sometimes, the key to expanding your horizons is narrowing your focus. For Barry Tunnell, the General Manager of Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen and its newly opened sister bar, Mineral Lounge, turning their eye to a specific region for both their food and drinks has helped open a world of inspiration. After Mineral Lounge opened its doors in mid-August, Tunnell and the rest of the team are excited about showcasing a curated selection of bottles to highlight one of his favorite wine-producing regions.

“Tannin is a big space, with a big wine list that draws from every corner of the world,” Tunnell says. “We love having the freedom to bring in wines from everywhere, but having so many options can be a bit overwhelming, even for well-traveled wine drinkers. Mineral Lounge’s wine list focuses solely on Mediterranean wines and the foods that go with them, allowing us to develop a sharper focus in creating our menu and cellar.”

Don’t let the smaller global footprint trick you into thinking that Mineral Lounge is a one-trick pony, though—There’s still quite a bit of diversity to be found here. Tunnell also says that the region is a great place to draw from for everyone, whether you don’t know the difference between Château Pape Clément and Carlo Rossi or you’re a savvy oenophile who loves to challenge yourself in wine identification.

Tunnell says that the team really honed in on the region by drawing inspiration from two wineries on opposite sides of the Mediterranean. “In the south of Provence, in an area called Bandol, you’ll find a winery called Domaine Tempier,” he says. It’s a family-owned estate that has been producing incredible wines since the early 1800s. “These wines essentially serve as our eastern border. If you continue along the Mediterranean coast long enough, you’ll eventually hit Chateau Musar in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon—our western border.”

Most people have had wines from France, but Tunnell insists that no one should sleep on Lebanese wines. The country and its neighbors have been producing wines for thousands of years—many historians suggest that viticulture as we know it originated here over 8,000 years ago. And Chateau Musar is a perfect example of Lebanon’s wine-making credentials.

“Thanks to World War One, the wine industry in the region was devastated,” Tunnell explains. “After the war ended, there was a huge French military presence in Lebanon. The French helped restart several historic wine-making areas here and introduced a number of their techniques to help jump-start things. The combination of old world sensibilities and modern master techniques makes Lebanese wine some of the most interesting and delicious you can find.”

Of course, there are plenty of other wine-making powerhouses as you make the trip from Domaine Tempier to Chateau Musar. In addition to those and other wineries from both France and Lebanon, Mineral Lounge boasts wines from Spain, Italy, Greece, and Slovenia. Many of their wines can be difficult to find by the glass in other wine bars, giving Mineral Lounge visitors a chance to try some delicious, small-batch creations that they won’t find elsewhere in the city. Once you find one you love, you can order a full bottle for your table.

Photo by Charity K Photography

“Our wines run through every flavor profile, texture, and volume, whether you want an easy sipper while you eat, or some heavy-hitting late harvest, or dessert wines for an after-dinner treat,” Tunnell says. “These are all wines that, in their own ways, can mentally transport you to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.”

If you’re going to be sampling all this great wine, you’ll probably need something to nosh on to help balance things out. That’s where Executive Chef Brian Aaron and Sous Chef Ceasar Reyes come in. In an attempt to complement the Mediterranean wine list, the duo has developed a menu of shareable plates to keep the coastal vibes coming.

With seafood like Spanish tinned fish, yellowtail crudo, and bay scallop ceviche sitting alongside cheese, bread, and veggie options, there’s something on the menu for every palette and wine pairing. Don’t forget your sweet tooth, either—There are a few desserts to choose from, including one item borrowed from Tannin’s menu: the fudge-stuffed peanut butter cookie.

“We didn’t want the menu to lean too heavily on Tannin, but I was worried some of our regulars would start a riot if we didn’t bring that cookie over to Mineral Lounge,” Tunnell says.

Besides the region-focused menu, the big thing that sets Mineral Lounge apart from Tannin is the laid-back vibe. Tunnell says, “Tannin isn’t a crazy, boisterous place, but the size of the space and the cellar list definitely gives it a different feel from our new spot.” Mineral Lounge only seats about 35 people, instantly lending it a more intimate, cozy energy.

It features giant windows that offer some excellent views of the Crossroads Art District and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Soft music and comfortable seating complete the aura. Tunnell also says there are plans to start bringing in occasional live music—think jazz groups and such—to help accent the ambiance.

Mineral Lounge even has options for customers who aren’t into wine. Bar manager Brooke Silvey created a collection of curated cocktails inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, including four different signature spritzes. The bartenders at Mineral Lounge have plenty of classic, off-menu cocktails up their sleeves as well. It won’t be long before a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and wines make their way onto the menu, giving sober and sober-curious guests a space to try the diverse commodities.

With such a small space, reservations are recommended but not required. Mineral Lounge opens at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday, and the space is available for private rentals when they aren’t open for standard business. With its proximity to the Kauffman Center, Convention Center, the Loews Hotel, and more, it stands to be a popular pick for business travelers and parties alike.

Mineral Lounge is located at 1700 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.