A Tasteful Mission What happens when a developer collaborates with a bunch of hardworking chefs, restaurateurs, and tastemakers to open up kitchens in a field of dreams. Article Kimberly Winter Stern | Photography Bonjwing Lee, Jenny Wheat, Aaron Bales & Jackie Habiger
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f you’ve lived in Johnson County for more a decade, you might remember a common grumble: All the good restaurants are on the other side of the state line. But that was years ago, before the suburbs became a bona fide culinary playground and broke the chain of the chain restaurant. Of course, Johnson County has always had local food pioneers hanging shingles: Creative chefs and restaurateurs opening oneof-a-kind eateries in diverse environs such as Downtown Overland Park, lackluster strip centers, and sparkly upscale shopping destinations. We still love and nurture and frequent those restaurants, whether their cuisine is labeled ethnic, new American, barbecue or comfort. Chalk up one all-local destination’s success that helped whisk away the perception of Johnson County as a chain wasteland once and for all to a bunch of diligent, dedicated folks determined to ply their original concepts to diners—despite lack of easy access to their front doors from 435. Mission Farms, at Indian Creek Parkway and Mission Road, sprouted up from the well-fertilized land formerly home to Saddle and Sirloin in 2006, just about the time Johnson County was in the throes of its culinary awakening. And many of the restaurateurs setting up shop in the leafy, mixed use development credit Doug Weltner—a commercial real
Blanc Burgers + Bottles
When Ernesto and Jenifer Peralta were approached by Doug Welter to open their burger-centric concept, Blanc Burgers + Bottles, at Mission Farms, they were all in. “Our original restaurant was in Westport, and we envisioned the Johnson County location to have the same cool, sleek look—and to be family friendly, but hip enough where mom and dad could enjoy a date, too,” says Ernesto. Blanc’s menu includes juicy burgers such as the top-selling Blanc Burger (think classic) and starters, salads, soups, craft beers, adult
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Leawood Lifestyle | February 2015
estate broker who didn’t offer just a sales pitch, but dared to put a vision out on the table and offer a hand of collaboration—as the reason they set sites on suburbia. Weltner was hungry for successful Midtown, Westport, 39th Street, and even Prairie Village brands supported by people living “out south” to establish a presence in Mission Farms. “When we concepted Mission Farms, we realized what was lacking in Johnson County,” says Weltner, “and that many of the same restaurants serving great food in Midtown and other areas weren’t here, where a lot of their customers live.” Weltner says in many respects, Mission Farms is like a young Brookside. “People live here, work around here, eat and shop here, and I think we’ll mature nicely.” Today Mission Farms boasts some of the metro’s most popular restaurants: Blanc Burgers + Bottles, Blue Koi, Pizzabella, Room 39, Rye, and Tavern at Mission Farms. Newcomer Café Virgo and Bakery is excited to join the A-listers who have earned a place in our hungry hearts. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, brunch, and every other daily food requirement are available in this swath of suburban land that has helped transform Johnson County into a serious culinary contender. Mission, accomplished.
milkshakes, a kids’ menu, and more. The Peralta’s partnered up with many of Kansas City’s leading purveyors, such as The Roasterie Air-Roasted Coffee, Shatto Milk Company, Farm To Market Bread Co., and Boulevard Brewing Company, to heighten the pleasures of eating local. Don’t miss: $39.95 Monday Night Date Night, which includes starter, two burgers, side, and bottle of wine—to share, of course.