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
On Tap | SMLLR = BTTR
A small place that could signal big changes for Kansas City’s beer scene is in the works at 633 East 63rd Street in Brookside. BKS Artisan Ales looks set to be the first nanobrewery to open in the city under a new ordinance that passed in June 2015. “The advantage that I have of being small…
Cherry Pit Collective Open House & Other Weekend Possibilities
Holiday shopping, a bit of ice cream, and maybe a new bike to ride home. The Cherry Pit Collective (604 E 31st Street) is holding an Open House with local makers from 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday. You can find jewelry, soap, paper goods, and locally made nuts, cookies, and coffee. Long for the days of…
5 Pumpkin Delights (That are Not Pumpkin Spice Lattes)
To those of you who seek out pumpkin spice lattes with the same doggedness that Harry Potter pursued horcruxes, I can not aid you in the fracturing of your soul. I can however help you discover a new pumpkin wonderland. It’s a place where there is still sweetness, but also savory notes and the bright…
Halloween Celebrations Galore & Other Weekend Possibilities
The Power & Light District is hosting Dead or Alive! Saturday. The massive costume party, which kicks off at 7 p.m., is free. You can also buy a drink package for $25. Watch the movie, “Halloween,” on the big screen on the KC Live! stage at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The zombie theme is a big one,…
On Tap | From Drexel With Lavender
Turkeys meander beside a burbling creek, and blackberry bushes flourish outside a former woodshop. Life is a little different at the region’s latest brewery — in Drexel, Missouri. “We’re like a farm winery, just with beer,” says Will Reece, who co-owns the Miami Creek Brewing Company (14226 Northwest County Road 14001, Drexel) with his wife,…
The Haunted Bell Tower Bash & Other Weekend Possibilities
The haunted carnival is in town for one night only. The fourth annual Haunted Bell Tower Bash is a mash-up of a dance, circus, and costume contest. The benefit for Social Heart is at the Arts Asylum is from 7 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday at The Arts Asylum (1000 E 9th Street). They’ll have aerial…
Speak, a Sandwich Shop with Deli Roots, Opens
Todd Schulte quietly opened a sandwich shop with the soul of a deli last week. After a year of working to fine tune pastrami and searching for proper sliced rye, Speak is now operating out of a shared space with Uncommon Stock, a sister soup company, at 1000 W. 25th St. On a recent Tuesday…
Chapter 5 | Is This The Ends?
Singers have Broadway. Aspiring pitmasters? They come to Kansas City because if you can make a burnt end that makes Kansas Citians sit down and take notice, you can make barbecue anywhere. Our city’s esteem for barbecue — combined with pitmasters’ desire to perfect their craft — means that even our iconic barbecue dish is…
Fed Up Fest & Other Weekend Possibilities
Live acts. Surprise beers. The chance to help feed the hungry. Your heart and belly will be full at Fed Up Fest, a benefit for the Harvesters Community Food Network, at CrossroadsKC at Grinders (417 E 18th Street) from 2:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Catch acts on two stages (including Sylvan Esso and the Phantastics),…
Chapter 4 | The Quest for the Best (Remembering L.C. Richardson)
Magic in Kansas City doesn’t involve cards or top hats. True magic is what happens to brisket when smoke and fire are applied in the correct ratio and for the right amount of time. True magic is burnt ends. In Chapter 4, we dive into how and why we chase and crave that magic in Kansas…