Jonathan Bender
Stories by Jonathan Bender
Room 39 Carves Out Its Identity
“Describing Room 39 has been difficult for us through the years,” recalls Ted Habiger, chef and co-owner of the 39th Street fixture.
Christopher Elbow Hits The (Sweet) Spot On “The Block”
For chocolates that would make Willy Wonka’s mouth water, look up Christopher Elbow artisanal chocolates in the Crossroads Arts District. Elbow’s culinary resumé is hefty, working anywhere from a line cook in Lincoln County, to the Vegas strip. Cocoa butter is used to paint their galvanizing bon-bons. Elbow keeps it simple and natural, using real…
Novel Start to KCPT’s New Series, “The Block”
Kansas City native Ryan Brazeal shipped out to New York City to hone his culinary skills before bringing his craft back to the Midwest. Throw in Jessica Armstrong’s exquisite desserts, and you have a recipe for enjoyment. Novel has turned New-American cuisine to “Novel-American cuisine” in the Crossroads. Using ingredients from local farmers, Novel creates…
Hayward’s New Home, Fried Lobster Rolls & Other Weekend Possibilities
After more than three decades in Lenexa, Hayward’s Pit BBQ has moved. The barbecue standby is now open at 10901 W. 75th St. in Shawnee, Kansas. The Kansas spot has the classics — ribs, burnt ends, and sides (beans, cheezy corn bake, macaroni and cheese) — and some of their own barbecue creations: (Sweeney’s Southern…
Tap List | The Draught Lottery and East Forty’s Birthday
The mother of all collaborations is set to begin this Thursday with The Draught Lottery. The brainchild of Double Shift Brewing Co. and iTap Crossroads will see 20 local breweries creating five distinct beers that will drop on August 24. The draft is at 6 p.m. at iTap and that’s where teams of breweries will…
Meet the Makers, Rosé All Day & Other Weekend Possibilities
Affäre (1911 Main St.) has started serving lunch on Thursday and Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can get weinerschnitzel (fried pork cutlet), house-made bratwurst, and zwiebelsuppe (a soup made with caramelized spring onions). The full menu is here. Get a chance to meet Tastemakers and Feast Magazine’s Cat Neville in person at…
Tap List | A Sneak Peek at Boulevardia’s Taps & Tastes
The best way to attend a beer festival is with a brewer at your side. You get insight into the beer and an occasional look behind the taps. Taps & Tastes, a ticketed beer and food pairing session in the Hale Arena, is a bit like attending Boulevardia with Jeremy Danner next to you. The…
Strawberry Hill Pub Crawl, Strawberry Festival & Other Weekend Possibilities
Fairway Creamery (5938 Mission Road, Fairway, Kansas) — a new donut shop and soft serve ice cream concept from chocolatier Christopher Elbow — has opened in the former Pizza 51 West space. The donuts include a spiced old fashioned, raspberry iced, maple buttercrunch, vanilla bean glazed yeast and toasted coconut. On the ice cream side,…
Tap List | Wind Shift Brewing Is Open in Blue Springs
Wind Shift Brewing (3421 NW Jefferson St., Suite B) opened this weekend in Blue Springs, Missouri. The new brewery from Tony and Lynne DiPlacito is serving an American Pilsner, oatmeal brown, a coconut coffee porter and double IPA. Cinder Block Brewery’s cider is on tap as well. Wind Shift serves half-pours, pours and flights. The…
Celebration At The Station, Catio Party & Other Weekend Possibilities
Eat tacos. Help folks. Guadalupe Center is throwing a taco dinner between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday. It’s four fried tacos and Mexican rice for $7. The taco sale benefits the center’s youth recreation program. Place your order by calling 816-421-1015. A tradition that started on the West Side has come to the Crossroads….