Eat This Now: Smoked Popcorn at Verdigris
Smoked Popcorn at Verdigris // Photo by Jollene Hastings
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who only eat popcorn during movies, and those who snack on popcorn religiously. I am the latter.
As a proud popcorn connoisseur, it always excites me when I come across a unique take on popcorn. Enter, Verdigris’ Smoked Popcorn.
While Verdigris is known as an upscale, cocktail bar and lounge in Johnson County, they do offer light bites and late-night snacks.
Upon entering the swanky establishment, I felt like I was transported back to a time by Gatsbyesque opulence meets classic modernism. My eyes were immediately drawn to the gold-trimmed ceiling and backdrop of blues and greens. The long bar is lined with velvet chairs in emerald green. There’s no doubt the distinct, turquoise touches reflect the namesake concept. Though the fancy design and glitzy bar come off as exclusive, the establishment felt very welcoming.
Ready for some libations after dinner, I was not expecting to crave any more food–until I saw popcorn on the menu.
“Smoked Popcorn” sits at the top of their late-night menu, described as containing: smoked salt, barbeque spices, and brown sugar. How can just a handful of ingredients taste so good, even elevated, mixed with popped grain? The woodsy char of the barbeque spices add a level of umami to the sweet and savory profile of smoked salt with brown sugar. It looks simple and unassuming, but it is a flavor bomb in every kernel.
Smoked Popcorn comes in a decently sized bowl that is big enough for sharing, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Order it for yourself, and you’ll be surprised at how fast you get to the bottom of the bowl. I am not exaggerating when I say, this is a snack I think about often.
Verdigris’ other food menu options include roasted butternut squash hummus with pita and vegetables, hot crab dip, a Cuban sandwich, burger, and more. But being the classy bar that it is, you’ll want to come thirsty my friends: their mixologists are so creative. Handcrafted cocktails range from classics like the French 75 and Paloma to more intricate refreshers with lavender-infused alcohol (Lavandula), cranberry-orange sorbet (Aqua Regia), or even a rosemary bubble (Dragon’s Folly).
This upscale bar (and Smoked Popcorn destination) is located inside Leawood’s Park Place shopping plaza. Verdigris comes from the same creators as The Monarch Bar and The Mercury Room, and it is very on-brand. While walk-ins at Verdigris are accommodated whenever possible, reservations are recommended on the weekends. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays, with daily Happy Hour from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Verdigris is at 5245 W 116th Place, Leawood, KS 66211.
