Artisan Dining in Kansas City
Kansas City is quickly becoming the center of an artisan dining movement. From food trucks to fine wine, these three local restaurants are leading the way.
Pigwich 2618 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO Mon.-Sun. 10:30-7:30
Pigwich is a stationary food truck adjacent to the Local Pig, a local charcuterie that supplies a wide variety of humanely-raised meats. With local meats sourced straight from the shop next door, Pigwich serves some of the best sandwiches and burgers you will find in the city. My personal favorite is the Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese-inspired pork meatball sandwich with sliced carrots and pickles, covered in cilantro sriracha. This humble little food truck in the East Bottoms draws more than 1,000 people per week, making it one of the most popular local stops for artisan sandwiches.
4141 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO
Mon.-Thu. 11:00 a.m.-Midnight; Fri. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.; Sat. 10:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.; Sun. 10:00 a.m.-Close
Chef Patrick Ryan of Port Fonda has quickly gained Kansas City’s attention with his fresh take on Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere at Port Fonda is all cool—low-hanging lights, hardwoods, exposed ductwork and a fresh artistic style that reflects the creativity of the chef. My current menu favorite is the Diesmillo braised beef with chipotle cheddar béchamel, grilled onions, pickled jalapeno and salsa ranchera. The menu is sourced from local farms and features local food and drink legends, including Christopher Elbow and Oddly Correct to ensure everything you taste is artisan and memorable.
Bluestem 900 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO Tue.-Sat. 5:30-10:00; Sun. 10:00-2:30
Husband and wife duo Colby and Megan Garrelts have been delighting the city since 2004 at Bluestem. There is nothing stuffy about this restaurant, yet somehow they pull off a refreshingly polished presentation. The lobby and bar are a chic combination of simplicity and style. The art is modern, and the restaurant is splashed with bright colors and lots of light. Dinner options include your choice of courses: 3-course ($65), 5-course ($75) and 10-course ($100). Additional wine pairings are available from the sommelier. Chefs Colby and Megan aren't just delighting locals with their artisan cuisine. On May 6, 2013, they brought home the coveted James Beard award for Best Chef in the Midwest.
AmyAnn Cadwell is co-founder at www.FindingKansasCity.com, a blog dedicated to the search for all things local, urban and delicious.