My heart is truly heavy. Due to health reasons and the loss of her lease, Trelle Osteen is closing our favorite little bistro on 17th in the Westside.
As the producer of Check, Please! KC, it is always sad to see any restaurant go out of business. And I usually don’t play favorites. However, the loss of Lill’s on 17th is especially heart-breaking because it was the very first restaurant we videotaped for CPKC back in 2008.
The quaint and charming dining areas, surrounded by local art on clapboard walls, bacon-wrapped dates, potatoes aioli, empanadas and every sweet little dessert, artisan sandwich and delicious steak will all be missed. But more than that, what will truly be missed is the personal touch provided by Trelle and her staff.
“Bryn (Hughes) and Matt (Chef Zedah) are outstanding. I truly have the best staff in Kansas City,” says Trelle. “But, I have to close. It hurts me.”
Rumor has it that the owner of the lease is going to bring in some iteration of an American restaurant and has offered to keep the staff on board. I’m sure the quality of service and food, along with Bryn’s personal touch will not go away, if they choose to stay. But the charm of Lill’s will be long gone without Trelle and her ready hugs.
Good luck to everyone involved and good health to Trelle.
