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
Food Trucks Get Rolling & Other Weekend Possibilities
When the sun is shining and your lawn is calling, that’s when you should go for a Saturday afternoon beer. Underdog Wine (2980 Gillham Road) is happy to oblige. It’s hosting a Beer:30 tasting in Union Hill featuring Dogfish Head from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. You’ve got to be 21 years old to attend the tasting. Everyone…
A Peek at Speak Sandwiches
Speak Sandwiches (1000 W. 25th St.) is, what I suspect, the only sandwich shop within a soup company in Kansas City. That said, the pastrami sandwich alone could easily launch a trend. In the video above, we take a peek inside of Speak and chat with co-owner Todd Schulte to get a sense of the…
Downtown Overland Park Farmers Market & Other Weekend Possibilities
Farmers’ market season is back. The Downtown Overland Park Farmers Market (7950 Marty St., Overland Park, Kansas) is holding its season opening from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Fill your bag with greens, olive oil, jams, meats and cheese. Keep an eye out for Easter eggs in downtown Overland Park, which are filled with…
Order Up| Dolce Bakery’s Orange Roll
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.
Apple Blossom Festival & Other Weekend Possibilities
The Cider Hill Family Orchard (3341 N 139th Street, Kansas City, Kansas) is hosting an Apple Blossom Festival on Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to celebrate the season. Three words, folks: apple cider slushes. They’ll also have apple cider donuts, barbecue, and hayrides. [FLEX-CONTENT] The Kansas City Star’s…
Suspended In Time
Suspended In Time A Box of KC Mafia Documents Makes Its Way to Special Collections Story by: Jonathan Bender, Jesse Howe and Mike McGraw Anthony “Tony” Gizzo mug shot. (Kansas City Public Library) “That’s quite a pair of shoes that Tony Gizzo has on…do you remember him?” Flatland Special Projects Reporter Mike McGraw asks, looking at…
KC WineWorks’ Anniversary Party & Other Weekend Possibilities
KC Wineworks (1829 McGee Street) celebrates its first anniversary in the Crossroads on Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. Cheesy Street, a food truck dedicated to the art of the grilled cheese, will be on hand at the local winery that has been making everything from mulled wine to cider. Dive into the terroir of…
Eat Local Expo & Other Weekend Possibilities
Now you can find a local farm (or farmer) to love. The 19th annual Eat Local + Organic Expo, hosted by the Kansas City Food Circle, returns this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Johnson County Community College (12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas). Farmers will be on hand to sell greens, herbs,…
Origin Story | Free State’s Copperhead Pale Ale
— Got an origin story you think we should illustrate? Drop us a line on Twitter.
Michael Smith’s J. Rieger Cocktail Dinner & Other Weekend Possibilities
Michael Smith (1900 Main St.) is hosting a J. Rieger & Co. cocktail dinner at 7 p.m. The four-course meal (the full menu is here) of Irish-inspired dishes includes a poached egg with black pudding paired with Green Eggs & Ale (an egg white, vanilla, lemon, orange cream citrate, Boulevard Brewing Company’s Irish Ale, and…