Jonathan Bender
Reporter
Jonathan Bender is a former KCPT Food Content Editor and the founder of the Recommended Daily. He is the author of "LEGO: A Love Story," "Cookies & Beer" and "Stock, Broth & Bowl." He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where has judged the American Royal World Series of BBQ, eaten sandwiches for a month, and pitched grain as a brewer’s assistant — all in pursuit of learning more about what Kansas Citians eat and drink.
Stories by Jonathan Bender
Soft Shell Crab Po’ Boys & Other Weekend Possibilities
If you’re trying to avoid meat for Lent or if you’re in search of some seafood options, Taco Republic (500 County Line Road, Kansas City, Kansas) has Friday fish specials, including a blackened shrimp rice bowl with corn, guacamole, black beans and pico de gallo. Across the street, Joe’s Kansas City (3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas…
Order Up | Ibis Bakery’s Sticky Bun
Order Up is a regular series that takes a layered look at drinks and eats across Kansas City. You can see previous selections here. Got a dish you think we should feature? Drop us a note below or on Twitter @FlatlandKC.
Victoria Afternoon Tea & Other Weekend Possibilities
The Ainsworth (11563 Ash Street, Leawood, Kansas) hosts The Bumble Games from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Friday night. It’s a beer pong tournament with two drinks included ($15). This is the only local outpost for the restaurant and bar, which has locations in New Jersey and New York City, and is known for its macaroni-and-cheese burger….
Best Eat In the House | Novel’s Duck Neck Dumplings
Best Eat in the House features dining recommendations from people in and around Kansas City. For this episode, chef Michael Smith, of Michael Smith and Extra Virgin, came in to talk about the duck neck dumplings at Novel (815 W. 17th St.). We traveled to the West Side to chat with chef and co-owner Ryan…
Let’s Wine About Winter & Other Weekend Possibilities
Liberty hosts its eighth annual Let’s Wine About Winter celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. It’s a shop crawl with 25 downtown Liberty businesses each having a different wine to sample. Tickets are $20. Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Plaza branch (4801 Main St.) of the Kansas City Public Library from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday….
Shawarmar Brings Mediterranean Wraps And Bowls to Linwood
Abeer Jari arrives at Shawarmar (23 E. Linwood Boulevard) a little over an hour before sunrise. She has spices to blend, marinades to check, and tahini sauce to mix. She tries not to think about her two-and-a-half year-old son, who is in daycare for the first time, as she preps for the day. “I mix…
McLain’s Cookie Decorating Party & Other Weekend Possibilities
Your garden is still there under that snow and ice. And it never hurts to get a jump on planning for what you’ll be growing this season. Kansas City Community Gardens (6917 Kensington Ave.) hosts a seminar on planting fruit trees and berry bushes from noon to 2 p.m. Friday. The workshop is free, but you…
Origin Story | Cowboy Boots
[FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] Want to see the other pieces in the series, click here. Got an origin story you think we should illustrate? Drop us a line on Twitter.
Farmers & Friends Meeting & Other Weekend Possibilites
Meet a farmer this weekend. Or meet someone who wants to meet a farmer. Cultivate Kansas City is holding its 13th annual Farmers & Friends Meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Second Presbyterian Church (318 E. 55th St.). It’s a chance for the community to connect and discuss the state of…
Tap List | Experiment With Beer and Food Pairings at Brew Lab
Brew Lab launched with the idea that you could experiment with small batches of beer. Now with its brewhouse up and running, you can take the same leap with its food and beer menu. Last year, Brew Lab (7925 Marty St., Overland Park, Kansas) combined a brewery, homebrew supply shop, taproom and restaurant under one roof…