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
Lawrence Farmers Market and Other Weekend Possibilities
The Lawrence Farmers Market (824 New Hampshire) returns from its winter hibernation this Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. The market is celebrating its 40th year and it’s a beauty. All of the produce and products are produced within 50 miles of Lawrence and there’s a host of local honey, vegetables, fruit, baked goods. Keep your eye…
Enjoy Pure Food and Drink is Open in Mission Farms
For years, all Staci Cross wanted was a healthy dinner on the road – something that would allow her to keep going while she traveled the country selling her company’s video for new parents to hospitals. In a sea of chain restaurants, she found herself ending up at Whole Foods more often than not, putting…
Order Up | Carollo’s No. 1 Hot
Order up is a new 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.
Food Truck Friday and Other Weekend Possibilities
Dinner is getting ready to take to the streets. With spring in swing, food trucks are officially out and about across the metro. The unofficial kickoff is Food Truck Friday — the six-year-old series from The Kansas City Star. Over the next six First Fridays, food trucks will gather in the downtown parking lot of The…
Eat Like You’re at The K… Even When You’re Not
Baseball is back, and with it comes the joy of finding new cheese, meat, and sweet things to love. True fans cheer with their mouth full. But since you may not have $100 to shell out for Opening Night at Kauffman Stadium, we thought there’s another way for you to experience the joy of ballpark…
Flatland and The Recommended Daily Launch a New Partnership Today
Hi, My name is Jonathan Bender and I’m writing to you between bites of a pastrami sandwich and sips of iced coffee. If I can ever devise a harmonica-like device that hangs from my neck and allows me to do both, you’ll get the notice about my Kickstarter. Until then, we’ll just make do with…
Crafts & Drafts and Other Weekend Possibilities
Shopping is always better with beer. The Pitch’s Crafts & Drafts — a mash-up of local artists, crafters, and beers — is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Uptown Shoppes (3600 Broadway). Check out DarkHumorGirl’s knit drink koozies (pictured above, some are in the shape of kitties) and 928 Woodworks’ nail head bottle openers…
KC Wineworks Set to Pop Bottles of Wine and Cider in the Crossroads
First Friday has always been about openings – a chance to experience something new from an artist’s palette. On the First Friday in April, it will finally be your palate’s turn. KC Wineworks (1829 McGee Street), a new tasting room and winery, will hold its grand opening next Friday, April 1, at 5 p.m. “We…
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Gets Ready to Scoop
David Friesen wants to serve all the old standbys — chocolate, vanilla, pineapple with Thai basil — when Betty Rae’s Ice Cream opens in Waldo (7140 Wornall Road) on Thursday, March 24. “Ice cream is a heightener,” said Friesen. “The sun is shining and you want to get out and have ice cream. It just makes your day better.”…
That’s the Spirit
Benay Shannon hops down from a forklift, her bright pink galoshes padding across the concrete floor of the Restless Spirits Distillery. She maneuvers clear plastic tubing to the open hole in the top of a 10-gallon oak barrel. It’s Tuesday afternoon and Kansas City’s only female head distiller is making whiskey. “This is about making…