Kansas City Magazine

Day: May 31, 2019

  • This beloved family farm in Lawrence was destroyed by a tornado — here’s how you can help

    In a matter of minutes, Deb and Jim Crum lost everything.

    The couple own and operate Crum’s Heirloom Farm, which was devastatingly destroyed when an EF-4 tornado ripped through Bonner Springs earlier this week. Strong storms across the Midwest and the Plains have garnered waves of destructive tornadoes in Missouri and Kansas this spring, and area tornadoes have also touched down in Jefferson City, Linwood and just south of Lawrence.

    Crums’ Heirloom is famed in the Kansas City metro. The odds that you’ve consumed Crums’ produce at some point are pretty high — the farm serves several Kansas City restaurants including Novel, Antler Room, Brewery Emperial and The Rieger.

    Our June issue features a story about the Crum’s new collaboration with the excellent rural tavern in Myers Hotel, where they’d planned to sell produce every other Saturday,

    Right now, the Crums family needs all the help they can get. A GoFundMe page has been started and the family has reached out on their Facebook page asking for the volunteers to assist with cleanup. It was also just announced that a benefit dinner for the Crums is being held at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar on June 11.

    Jax chef Bryan Sparks thought up the idea as soon as he had heard what happened to the Crums. Wanting to do something personal for the family, he reached out to fellow Kansas City-area chefs for help. The whole dinner idea escalated in a matter of 24 hours.

    “I was expecting only a few chefs to respond, and a lot more did than I was expecting,” says Sparks.

    Right now the event has 11 chefs contributing, making for a 10-course meal.

    Tickets for the Crums benefit go on sale tonight. Keep an eye on Jax’s Facebook page for details.

    “The Crums are such a beloved part of our community,” says Sparks. “This dinner just shows how important they are.”

  • The Crossroads: 7 of our favorite restaurants

    The Crossroads: 7 of our favorite restaurants

    Farina

    Michael Smith has been one of Kansas City’s most respected chefs for the past two decades. If the stalwart chef now wishes to distinguish himself as our own neo-Italian nonna, he’s well on his way. Farina, the modern Italian concept he opened in the Crossroads in February, features impeccable housemade pastas, an impressive raw bar and house-cured meats. You’ll be tempted to load up on pasta dishes, and you should (the squid ink spaghetti, $16, will haunt your dreams), but don’t skip the burrata with caviar ($28) and the grilled sardines ($11). Make reservations well in advance for this stylish new addition to the Kansas City dining scene.

    Farina, 1901 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 816-768-6600, farinakc.com. 5–10 pm Tuesday–Thursday, 5–11 pm Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.

    Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room

    Corvino hits the trifecta of greatness: Food, service and ambiance are combined into an incredible dining experience. Chef and co-owner Michael Corvino has crafted two exquisite and distinct menus — one for the Supper Club, a lively, sexy dining room featuring nightly local music, and one for the Tasting Room, where patrons sit down for a spellbinding 12-course meal. In the Supper Club, guests share inventive plates like hot, savory seaweed donuts with salmon roe and creme fraiche ($18). In the Tasting Room, they dine on Chinese Kaluga Queen caviar and sous vide Wagyu steak. No matter what part of the restaurant you choose, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable meal.

    Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, 1830 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-832-4564, corvino.com. 4-11 pm Monday–Thursday, 4 pm-midnight, Friday and Saturday, 4-10 pm Sunday.

    The Rieger

    Before the Crossroads Arts District exploded into the downtown hot spot it is now, chef Howard Hanna opened The Rieger in the historic hotel building bearing the same name. Over the years, this restaurant has evolved into one of Kansas City’s most beloved originals. Hanna’s menu focuses on regional ingredients, and dishes reflect his mantra: “Beautiful food for the people.” The Rieger’s menu changes four times a year, but you can always count on Hanna’s classic Rieger pork soup ($6 cup, $9 bowl) to be available. The impressive charcuterie board ($33) is laden with house-made terrines and sausages.

    The Rieger, 1924 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-471-2177, theriegerkc.com. 5-10 pm Monday–Thursday, 5-11 pm Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday.

    Crossroads Hotel

    With its three disparate restaurants, the Crossroads Hotel is a triple-threat of coolness. On the high end of the spectrum, you’ve got Lazia, an ultra-sleek Italian fine dining experience where chef Remy Ayesh wins guests over with dishes that are intricate and delicate — even when she’s serving a Milanese-style bone-in pork chop ($32) that’s been pounded flat, breaded and deep-fried then served on a plate that’ll barely hold it. XR offers all-day dining centered around artisan wood-fired pizzas ($12–$16) and small plates, and you’ll find the lounge buzzing with the energy of Kansas City’s fashionable crowd late into the evening. And there is no better view than the one from Percheron, the Crossroads Hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, where a 360-degree panorama of the city and craft cocktails are sure to keep you in good spirits.

    Lazia, 2101 Central St., Kansas City, Mo. 866-531-2400, crossroadshotelkc.com. 5-10 pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, 5-11 pm Friday and Saturday, closed Monday.

    XR, 2101 Central St., Kansas City, Mo. 866-531-2400, crossroadshotelkc.com. Open daily, 7 am–midnight.

    Percheron, 2101 Central St., Kansas City, Mo. 866-531-2400, crossroadshotelkc.com. 4-11 pm Tuesday–Thursday, 11 am-11 pm Friday and Saturday, 11 am–10 pm Sunday.

    Parlor

    Parlor is a foodie’s playground. This two-story building features several independent local restaurants that can cater to just about any flavor you’re feeling. Craving some gold-star ’za? Hit up Providence Pizza for Detroit-style slabs ($15). We can’t get enough of the empanadas ($12) from Karbon, featuring Yucatan and Turkish fusion dishes. And Sura Eats has the best kimchi fried rice bowl ($10 small, $16 large) we’ve had the pleasure of polishing off. Each floor of Parlor also features a full bar stocked with local spirits and craft beers, plus plenty of nooks and crannies for guests to huddle for meetings and share (or not share) their dishes.

    Parlor, 1701 Locust St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-875-4813, parlorkcmo.com. 11 am-10 pm Sunday–Wednesday, 11 am–midnight Thursday–Saturday.

    Baramee Thai Bistro

    If you’re looking for a cure — to your cold, allergies, hangover or ennui — go for the tom kha soup ($6.95–$18.95) at Baramee Thai Bistro. When you taste the coconut broth infused with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, fresh chili and galangal (a citrusy root similar to ginger), you are tasting joy. And the flavor explosion doesn’t stop there. This menu is packed with plenty of the Thai classics you’re used to (plus a few that might surprise you), and we’re happy to report that, should you be craving a spicy seafood pad Thai ($18.95) with a side of crispy spring rolls ($6.95), Baramee will satisfy.

    Baramee Thai Bistro, 1810 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 816-442-7070, baramee-thai-bistro.business.site. 11 am-9 pm Monday–Thursday, 11 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday

    City Barrel Brewing Co.

    Lip-puckering sours and hazy IPAs are just the tip of the iceberg at City Barrel Brewing Co., where guests can choose from 20 different taps to wet their whistles. Around half the taps present a well-curated selection of guest kegs, but it’s the City Barrel stuff that’ll really get you excited. A standout extra-bubbly Brut IPA, an all-new category of beer, is crisp and satisfying; the Ahoy! Gose offers a tropical escape with notes of guava and lime. Everything on City Barrel’s food menu is designed to complement the brews, which means there’s a little something for every palate, from an elegant Jarlsberg and brie grilled cheese ($12) to the ceviche marinated in Ahoy! Gose ($12).

    City Barrel Brewing, 1740 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-298-7008. https://www.loc8nearme.com/missouri/kansas-city/city-barrel-brewing/4994918/ 11 am-11 pm Tuesday–Thursday, 11 am-midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 am-9 pm Sunday, closed Monday.

  • Summer has come to Kansas City– here’s the Ultimate Guide

     

    Old Shawnee Days

    Summer is always over a little sooner than you hope.

    Last year, the season ended abruptly for my 3-year-old daughter at her favorite place in the city: the splash pad in Loose Park. All summer long, we hit the park pretty much every afternoon. On the final weekend, we showed up before they were scheduled to turn on the water for the final time only to find the splash pad was closed due to a maintenance issue.

    Just like that, summer was over — put on your mittens, and get out the sled.

    As you read this, the Loose Park splash pad is starting to burble again after a long winter hibernation. In early June, you’ve still got a long stretch of sweet, sticky heat in front of you. The coals are starting to turn gray on your grill. Swimming pools are just now getting to the right temperature. Royals fans still dream of winning the 2019 World Series.

    We want to help you enjoy those fleeting sunny days with this month’s issue. For our annual Summer Guide, we compiled Kansas City’s ultimate summer events calendar. If you flip through the calendar, you’ll find something fun to do every single day between June 1 and Labor Day. That’s 94 days of hot dogs, chilly lakes, shady patios and movies in a grassy park. We’ve sought to include the very best shows, festivals and fun activities in the city all summer long. Many are free, and all but a handful are broadly accessible.

    After spending months working on this calendar, we’re still in awe of how much there is to do in Kansas City this summer — everything from the monster truck rally at Arrowhead (June 14) and the long-awaited coming of the Broadway smash Hamilton (June 18) to picking peaches (Aug. 6) and a free tour of the night sky at the astronomical observatory on a local college campus (Aug. 23).

    Also in the calendar, you’ll find some fun features such as a decision tree for picking the perfect local lake for your preferred activities, a story about the odd preponderance of Stonehenge-like structures in this neck of the woods and our definitive ranking of every ride at Worlds of Fun.

    Summer in Kansas City is a special time — a chance to enjoy the bounty of this place while making lifelong memories with your friends and family. We hope this issue helps you wring just a little more joy out of these three
    precious months.

    If you’re really feeling ambitious, you can try to run the table on our massive calendar. We’d love to see you out enjoying these activities. Tag us with #94DaysKC on Instagram, and we’ll make it worth your while.

    Facts by the numbers:

    ▶︎5 Years since armadillos started appearing in Jackson County.

    ▶︎$50 Fee for a backcountry hike at the newest state park in Kansas.

    ▶︎2x The number of teen vapers has doubled in the past year.

    ▶︎63 The number of hits written by the songwriting team credited with composing “Kansas City.”

  • Can anything stop the armadillo from taking over Kansas City?

    Armadillo Invasion in KC

    In Texas, the armadillo is ubiquitous. What you might not know: The small mammals covered in a leathery shell are a relative newcomer to the Lone Star State. Armadillos are native to South America and were unknown outside the Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of Texas when the state joined the union in 1845. By the end of the 19th century, these armored opossums had conquered the state and become something of a mascot.

    Armadillos are still pressing northward, and they’ve now established themselves in central and southern Missouri. They could be coming for Kansas City next. Here are three things to know about armadillos in Kansas City.

    Armadillos are a problem.

    The spread of armadillos isn’t an issue solely because they’re weird little critters and tend to end up as roadkill.

    Armadillos have sharp claws that they use to dig up grubs and worms, says Todd Meese, a biologist who tracks wildlife damage for the state of Missouri.

    “They root like hogs,” he says. “They root, and they can destroy a yard or a crop field overnight.”

    If a family of armadillos decides to forage for food outside your house, they could ruin your perfectly manicured yard while you slumber.

    Armadillos are also the only other mammal that will carry the bacteria that causes leprosy, which has caused some concern. However, you’re not in any danger so long as you don’t touch or eat an armadillo.

    There’s a silver lining to our frigid winter.

    Armadillos come from South America and have no adaptations to the freezing weather. They don’t hibernate and can’t effectively feed on grubs and worms when the ground is frozen.

    Meese says that the cold, snowy winter in Kansas City seems to have “beaten them back” for the time being.

    However, he says, “they seem to be encroaching more and more.” Until about five years ago, he’d never gotten a call in Jackson County. Recently, he was shocked when he found one in Independence, at the intersection of Missouri 291 and Gudgell Road.

    “That’s getting up there,” he says. “If they can survive, they’re going to press onward.”

    The spread of armadillos will likely stop at the Missouri River.

    When it comes to the armadillo invasion, the Northland is in luck. Meese and other experts expect that the Missouri River will be the end of their spread for the foreseeable future.

    That isn’t because they can’t swim, though.

    “They can swim like little submarines, and they can cross bodies of water,” Meese says. “But when you get across the Missouri River, everything’s different — the ground temperature, the freezing point, the frost line — and they won’t be able to survive. At least, we’re hoping that could be a stopping point.”

  • New KC Restaurant Openings June 2019

    Panoramic views of downtown Kansas City

    The highly anticipated rooftop bar at the Crossroads Hotel is finally open. The rooftop beer garden at Percheron (2101 Central St., Kansas City, Mo., crossroadshotelkc.com) serves up sweeping 360-degree panoramic views of downtown Kansas City. There’s plenty of space for large groups, with a full bar and a drink menu that includes frozen strawberry daiquiris, frozen Kentucky mules and a watermelon margarita (the “Cool Hand Luca”). The food menu emphasizes shareable dishes with an elegant spin, like the hummus plate with crudite and an Italian flatbread topped with prosciutto, arugula and ricotta.

    Crossroads Hotel

    Surf ’n turf in the Jazz District

    City developers and board members were so impressed with chef Anita Moore’s Soirée New Orleans Bistro in Smithville, Missouri, that a year ago they invited her to plan a second concept for Kansas City’s 18th & Vine Jazz District. Soirée Steak & Oyster House (1512 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo., 816-214-5706) opened in the Jazz District this month, with a Creole-inspired lunch and dinner menu that includes fried green tomatoes topped with a red pepper crawfish sauce, smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, prime rib French dip, seafood ravioli, steak and lobster platters and more. There’s a kid’s menu and occasional live music, too.

    Soirre KC

     

    Paris of the Plains

    French Market (6943 Tomahawk Road, Prairie Village, Kan., 913-362-0803, frenchmarketkc.com) has moved a few doors down from its original location at the Prairie Village Shopping Center. Helmed by the same folks behind the exceptional Café Provence next door, this is the perfect place to tap into your inner Francophile. There’s plenty of specialty items — French linens, cookbooks and gifts — but the real draws are the gourmet grab-and-go foodstuffs that will make you the dinner hero and the new in-store cafe. We recommend the made-to-order crepes, particularly the Grand Mere with Jambon de Paris ham, Swiss cheese and a farm-fresh egg.

    French Market KC

     

    Mission gets another brewery

    Sandhills Brewing Co. (5612 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kan., sandhillsbrewing.com) has opened its second taproom in Mission (the original location is in Hutchinson, Kansas). The latest addition to the beer craze sweeping the metro has room for 12 original taps. Brothers Jonathan and Charles Williamson, along with Joe Cizek, plan to focus on oak-aged craft beers and mixed-fermentation brews. The Mission taproom debuted with a familiar lineup, including a Berliner Weiss called the Chickadee, a gose named Kestrel and a New England-style IPA called the Junco. All brews are named after Kansas birds, and the theme is featured in the Mission taproom with large wall murals.

    Sandhills KC

     

    Food trends in the Instagram age

    The sushi burrito is one of those social media creations that swept the coasts, and we can thank Komotodo Sushi Burrito (13713 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan., komotodo.com) for bringing it to KC. In this fast-casual concept, you can enjoy creations like the Texas Cowboy with grilled steak, French fries, romaine, tempura asparagus, sweet corn and avocado. There are a few more conventional choices — a spicy tuna option, a crab roll — and if you just can’t deal, anything can be turned into a bowl. Go ahead, do it for the ’gram.

    Komotodo KC

  • Meet Jordan and Emily Fox, the couple behind High and Dry Cactus Co.

    Emily and Jordan- High and Dry Cactus Co.

    Emily Fox credits her husband Jordan’s interest in botany with the start of their relationship. They began dating nearly a decade ago, when both were in college.

    “He would ask if I wanted to go out and find this random plant he was searching for,” she says with a laugh. The field assignments from Jordan’s conservation and botany classes frequently became the itinerary for their dates, and as their relationship (ahem) bloomed, so did their mutual passion for plants — specifically cacti.

    Enter High and Dry Cactus Co., a cactus and succulent nursery the couple built in a converted garage behind their home in Kansas City’s Rosedale neighborhood.

    “The idea is to create a curated selection of cacti that you don’t normally see in the Midwest,” Jordan says. “We’ve established relationships with cactus growers in the Southwest, and we make trips to the growers and hand-pick each plant. We get to know the story of the people who grow them and the history behind each plant, so each of them really become special to us. And then we drive them all back to Kansas City.”

    Emily and Jordan- High and Dry Cactus Co.

    The Foxes talk lovingly about their plant sourcing trips and favorite finds, like a 4-foot Old Man Cactus (a tubular cactus with long tufts of white hair growing from its body) they purchased from Joe, a private grower near Phoenix. They gush about his story — a semi-retired landscape artist whose “backyard” spans several acres and is filled with rare and wondrous cacti varieties. (“There’s one he planted 30 years ago that’s taller than his house now,” Emily says.) The couple also reminisces about Richard, a former roadie with a green thumb who gifted them a mint-scented succulent to keep their car smelling fresh while they roamed dirt roads in Arizona and New Mexico.

    “In getting to know these people, we understand who we’re helping,” Emily says. “It’s important to them, too, to know that we’re going to continue caring for these plants. It was important for them to see their babies become precious to us, too.”

    High and Dry Cactus Co. carries dozens of cactus varieties. There’s something for every price range. Younger plants, potted in one-gallon planters, start at around $38, and prices go up from there. Some mature and rare plants are potted in 15-gallon planters, like the striking,
    knobby-bodied, azure-hued Blue Monstrose Peruvian Apple Cactus, which forms apple-sized fruits and beautiful flowers and goes for nearly $400. All cacti come with a modern terra cotta planter, which is included in the ticket price, and care instructions.

    The Foxes have set up cacti residencies at Hammerpress (500 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 816-421-1929, hammerpress.net) and Foxtrot Supply Co. (115 W. 18th St. Suite 100, Kansas City, Mo. 913-725-8792, foxtrotsupply.com), which Jordan also co-owns. You can shop a small selection at either of these locations, but for the full experience, the Foxes encourage customers to set up one-on-one shopping appointments at their Rosedale garage.

    “With these specimens, it’s about the story,” Jordan says. “We selected each of these plants. We believe in their quality and their origin, and we want to share that with the person who wants to take them home. That intimacy is what’s important for us because these plants didn’t come from a big box store. We just want to provide these beautiful pieces to people who recognize and appreciate them. Some of these specimens are so striking, they’re almost like furniture.”

    “Or like art,” Emily adds. 

    To schedule your one-on-one shopping appointment with High and Dry Cactus Co., email jordan@highanddrycactus.co.