<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> Provided<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n In Matthew Ortiz\u2019s native Texas, a \u201cgreenhorn\u201d isn\u2019t a word you want to be called. Once meaning the green horns<\/a> of a young cattle, the term is now used to describe someone who\u2019s inexperienced and naive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But Matthew and his wife, Tessa Ortiz, plan to reclaim the word, in a sense, with their new bar and entertainment space, The Greenhorn Bar & Grill<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all doing this life thing for the first time,\u201d Matthew said. \u201cWe resonated with (this idea because) we don\u2019t take ourselves too seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Matthew has some restaurant experience, having bartended his way through college and worked at a firm that invested in some restaurant concepts. Tessa\u2019s from the world of urban planning. So they both admitted that they\u2019re \u201cgreenhorns\u201d when it comes to running their own business.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For some ease, they\u2019re taking over the space of the former restaurant Green Room Burgers & Beer<\/a>, which closed some time in the last year. When the Ortizes took over the Westport space, there were parts of the old restaurant they only had to make tweaks to, like the bar, the multiple tables and chairs left over, and a stage that Green Room formerly used for live music and improv.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The stage was a key piece in the idea the Ortizes had for Greenhorn to be more than just another bar and restaurant in the Westport.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe big thing we\u2019re trying to do is bring entertainment back to dinner,\u201d Matthew said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first hire they made was a music director, Matthew said, someone who could help them plan out live entertainment or artist showcases every day of the week that the Greenhorn is open. That could look like Sunday football on a giant projector, paid open mic nights, comedy or live music.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tessa said they also plan to highlight artists in other ways. The tables and chairs left by the owners of the former Green Room will be upcycled by a local artist. And inside the restaurant, the couple plans to hire a muralist to take over wall space in the main dining area, next to the stage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They\u2019re in the process of looking for employees who excel at their craft in the food and beverage space as well. For now, the Ortizes have hired a local butcher to provide menu items like Italian sausage and other meats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The food and beverage menu is mostly finalized, Matthew said. The food will lean into American bar cuisine, offering dishes like fries, wings and chicken sandwiches. The menu will also have nods to the couple\u2019s Mexican heritage, with items like a Mexican hot dog.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And Matthew said they plan to keep a sign posted on the property that came from Green Room, which reads \u201cBest burger in Kansas City.\u201d So naturally, they plan to serve top-notch burgers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a huge burger lover, and that\u2019s originally why we went into this space was because of that sign,\u201d Matthew said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The bar will likely sling cocktails, local craft beer and wine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s ample seating throughout the 4,500-square-foot space, starting with the bar and lounge area that features classic leather stools along the bar and a separate comfortable set up of couches and coffee tables in a dark green room. This area can seat up to 45 people, Tessa said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then through a hallway and into another room, there\u2019s the main dining area right in front of the stage that fits up to 60 seated guests, decorated with a few hanging chandeliers. Behind the dining section is a few bar-top tables and room for standing that could fit about 20 guests. On a good weather day, there\u2019s also a patio with 20 seats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ortizes have their sights set on opening the bar at 4010 Pennsylvania Ave. by mid-July, every Tuesday through Sunday. Tessa said they haven\u2019t settled on exact hours just yet, but guests can follow Greenhorn\u2019s Instagram<\/a> for more updates.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n