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
Origin Story | The Strowger Switch
[FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] [FLEX-CONTENT] Got an origin story you think we should illustrate? Drop us a line on Twitter.
Elly’s Brunch & Other Weekend Possibilities
An upscale pancake house has arrived on the Plaza. Elly’s Brunch & Café (4800 Main St.), which has locations in Phoenix and Chicago, is now open across from the Kansas City Public Library’s Plaza branch. They’ve got egg skillets, oversized pancakes (gluten-filled and gluten-free), and brioche French toast. Forgo the hash browns and substitute in…
My 5 | Chef Remy Ayesh
My 5 is a series wherein Flatland asks someone to show us five items from their life that help them do their job or tell their story. It’s a chance to learn more about the people in our community by getting a peek at what’s in their drawers, kitchens, briefcases, or desks. In the latest…
Shaka Noodle Shack & Hang 10 Pier Land in North Kansas City
A framed photo of Chewbacca holding a surfboard hangs over the table where a couple is digging into a plate of noodles that’s topped with Alfredo sauce, avocado sour cream, and chimichurri. This is the Shaka Noodle Shack, where the decor is as unexpected as the flavor combinations. While we’re still getting our footing, it…
Late Night Doughnuts & Other Weekend Possibilities
The world needs more ways to get doughnuts into your system. Doughnut Lounge (4147 Pennsylvania Ave.) has two new opportunities for you to make that happen. Their food truck hit the road recently, and they also launched a late-night doughnut menu this week. The Westport coffee, bar, and doughnut shop is now serving donuts from 8 p.m. to…
Best Eat In the House | Slap’s BBQ’s The Mike Johnson
Best Eat in the House features dining recommendations from people in and around Kansas City. For this episode, we asked Local Pig and Pigwich co-owner Alex Pope for the one dish he loves, and he couldn’t wait to talk about The Mike Johnson at Slap’s BBQ. The burnt end beauty gets a collection of sweet…
Socks & Hops & Other Weekend Possibilities
The third annual Socks & Hops is from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at City Market (20 E. Fifth St.). The benefit for Swope Health Services pairs local breweries and eateries (Double Shift and Bay Boys Sandwiches, Stockyards and Webster House). Tickets are $45, and guests are encouraged to bring new socks for the Healthcare for the…
Recipe | Lidia Bastianich’s Carrot and Chickpea Dip
Parties are like ballroom dancing. If you can swing a good dip, it’s a showstopper. I decided to take chef Lidia Bastianich’s Carrot and Chickpea Dip for a spin. It’s featured on page 37 of “Celebrate Like An Italian,” her twelfth cookbook, which was released last month. It’s one of 220 recipes in the book…
Burnt Ends Chili Dog & Other Weekend Possibilities
The classic chili dog is getting an upgrade today as Plowboys Barbeque (1111 Main St.) debuts its latest menu item: a burnt end chili dog. “We’ve done chili dogs before, but the star was chili and the hot dog was just the vehicle,” Plowboys chief pitmaster and co-owner Todd Johns said. “This is taking the…
Order Up | Popculture Cornfetti
Order Up is a regular series that takes a layered look at drinks and eats across Kansas City. Got a dish you think we should feature? Drop us a note below or on Twitter @FlatlandKC.