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
Time to Make the Doughnuts
Doughnuts are no longer just a morning food. Doughnut Lounge – a new doughnut shop with a cocktail and espresso bar – opened Thursday in Westport. Beyond offering doughnuts late into the night, the lounge has a unique take on the fried rounds. Doughnut Lounge will launch with three tiers of doughnuts: classic, signature and noduts….
For Fit Food Fast Just Say Chop Chop
Graham Ripple puts out the menus and napkins on the metal counter in front of the window of Chop Chop FitStop, his new food truck dedicated to pre-prepared, Paleo-inspired meals. The food truck, which Ripple runs with co-owner David Lueck, is stocked with Simple Science Juices, protein balls, and chicken enchiladas with cauliflower rice. The…
Waiter, there’s coffee in my beer. Or is it beer in my coffee?
A pair of Kansas City brews will be packing a bit more punch this holiday season thanks to a duo of collaborations between local coffee shops and breweries. The Martin City Brewing Company and Second Best Coffee have teamed up on a coffee stout that’s available in MCBC’s tap room right now, and last week…
Grateful for This Grub
This is the time when we bow our heads and give thanks. When we take a moment to remember why we need an awl in our lives and a stain stick by the laundry machine. When we look at our credit card statements and wish that we worked at a job with an expense account….
Making Pie, Kansas City-style
Aaron Mulder invented the pizza test even if he hasn’t yet named it. Mulder, or another member of the staff at the three-week-old Long-Bell Pizza Company, will place a hand under each pizza to see if it holds its shape without the support of the plate. If the slice doesn’t get floppy, that pie is…
The best lineup since sliced bread
You know you’ve made it in a town when a restaurant names a dish after you. Sports radio host Mike Zarrick has the Z-man at Joe’s Kansas City, and sportswriter Joe Posnanski has chicken spiedini at Governor Stumpy’s. Murray’s Ice Cream & Cookies paid homage a few years ago to the late Walt Bodine with…
Magnolia’s Fresh Bloom
While hundreds of thousands gathered to watch the Kansas City Royals in downtown Kansas City this Tuesday, chef Shanita McAfee was holding a bullpen session of her own. The owner of Magnolia’s, which opened yesterday at 9916 Holmes, had gathered six of her staffers on stools at the bar and was reviewing the restaurant’s policies…
A confector, a baker, and a candy-tree maker
Kristina Briseno is about to invent a new species of tree. A redbud tree is being reborn – a statement piece for a local wedding with pink and white cotton candy in lieu of fall leaves. She knows this sounds fantastical, but to her this is simply another Thursday. “Anything creative, people just come to…
Today’s Special | The Hop!Toddy
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with video. For the entire “Today’s Special” series and other digital productions, follow Flatland’s YouTube channel. When Oddly Correct arrived on the coffee landscape five years ago, the independent roaster and coffee shop made a name for itself because of what it would not serve: cream and sugar. Oddly Correct’s founder…
Bee Sweet to debut pie-flavored mochi
It’s like a la mode in every bite. Bee Sweet Ice Cream is set to debut a new ice cream novelty in the next month: pie-flavored mochi. “I love exploring ice cream without dishware,” said Bee Sweet owner Manya Raoufi. “I love the mobility of mochi and that it is such a delicate thing.” Mochi…