June26_Digital_Issuu

Playful Splashes

Sun-Soaked Laughter

Heartfelt Moments

Cherish More Memories

Hidden within the intricate folds of your brain are the pathways that lead to your thoughts, memories and dreams — the very essence of your human spirit. At the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute, our experts are dedicated to protecting those pathways. With state-of-the-art technology and groundbreaking treatments, we care for the most complex neurological conditions, so you can keep moving, keep dreaming and keep being your whole self.

this month on kansascity mag.com

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Skate Party

Construction of a brand-new 16,000-square-foot outdoor roller skating rink at Blues Park is under construction. The project is part of Kansas City’s broader “Revive the Vine” initiative, a more than $400 million public-private reinvestment effort focused on restoring cultural landmarks, improving infrastructure and strengthening neighborhood vitality throughout the historic 18th & Vine corridor. Scan here to learn more.

The Home Team

I PLAYED SOCCER FOR EXACTLY ONE YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL, which is probably one year longer than anyone expected me to.

I had never played before joining the team, and at my tiny school, nobody got cut—which is fortunate because I absolutely would have been. I was terrible. Truly. I spent most games firmly planted on the bench while my more talented teammates, who actually knew what they were doing, led us to victory. But I loved being part of it anyway. I loved carpooling to the games, hanging with my friends and the feeling of being on a team.

Eventually, I figured out that while I lacked skill, I could run fast and cause chaos. So that became my strategy. I got aggressive and it worked. I would sprint full speed toward whoever had the ball, crash into the play, cause confusion, knock the ball loose and somehow create an opening for one of my much more skilled teammates to take over and make something happen. More than once, that messy little formula helped lead to a win.

At the end of the season, I got the Most Improved award which is not only one of my funniest accomplishments but honestly one of my proudest. And yes, that high school plaque still holds a prominent spot on a shelf in my office.

Teams succeed when everyone contributes, whether it’s talent, preparation, grit or just the willingness to throw themselves into the action to push things forward. This has been evident as Kansas Citians gear up for the World Cup, which officially starts June 11. For years now, the city has been preparing. Throughout this issue, you will find stories about the many efforts and initiatives that have been underway to make sure we’re ready to host the matches and the expected influx of visitors.

In this issue, we also reveal the results of our Best of Kansas City campaign, which seems especially fitting. Every year, we celebrate the people, places and local favorites that define life in the metro right now. More than 300 reader-selected winners and some of our editors’ favorite quirky finds have captured what Kansas Citians love most and what we would recommend to friends, family and, you guessed it, visitors.

The world is coming to KC, and we’re ready to introduce ourselves.

Dawnya Bartsch, editor-in-chief dawnya@kansascitymag.com

Kjella Acosta Graphic designer and illustrator

Kansas City transplant and co-owner of Craftsmen Design Co., Kjella Acosta is a beer can designer by day and editorial illustrator by night. She designed this issue’s cover and the Best of Kansas City feature..

Tyler Shane has been Kansas City magazine’s food writerin-residence and critic for nearly three years. In this issue, she explores the nuances of Crossroads Cantina.

David Hodes Writer and editor

Writer, editor and Kansas Citian David Hodes’ work has appeared in both regional and national publications. In this issue, he explores all things World Cup.

Tyler Shane Dining critic

Feedback Say What?

Hide and Seek

Recently, 94-year-old civil rights leader and former Kansas City councilman Alvin Brooks appeared on Pete Mundo’s radio show. Brooks was shown holding Kansas City magazine’s special-edition “8 over 80, 9 over 90,” where he appears on the cover and is spotlighted. We posted the moment on our social channels and it went viral. The comment sections were flooded with praise for Brooks, thanking him for decades of leadership and service to the city.

In 2005 I lost sight of my son. Reached out to Mr. Brooks, he had me bring my son’s last whereabouts and photo. He got right on it, located him in a shelter in Denver, Colorado, before the day was over. I will be forever grateful for that.

- Karen Patrick

I remember when Mr. Brooks carried the Olympic torch through Kansas City. That was 1996.

- Gwen Basden

Mr. Brooks is our prime example of Black excellence in Kansas City, Missouri, and our very own living legend!!! Please continue to give him his awards, recognition, thanks now so he can enjoy the fruits of his labor!!!

- Sharon Staples

Mr. Brooks will always be the fabric of the Kansas City Missouri community.

- Chad Bass

I will never forget him being our special guest speaker for a back to school fashion show at New Hope Tabernacle of Faith COGIC back in the day, didn’t hesitate. We still appreciate him.

- Maple Clayborn

Mr. Brooks is a Kansas City staple and I appreciate him showing all of us what commitment looks like.

- Kristy Thomas

Us

Publishing, LLC 605 W. 47th St., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64112 (913) 469-6700

“Taking the fear out of baking is really my whole goal. People have discovered this meditative, joyful side of cooking, and I think baking deserves that same kind of experience.”

- Erin McDowell, Kansas City-based baker who is releasing her fourth cookbook, Bake Anything, later this year.

Numbers From This Issue 10

Years Arts in the Park has spent celebrating local art, music, brews and community in North Kansas City. Page 25 859

Holes pierced into the Fire Keepers Circle sculpture, representing each Potawatomi Nation member who marched west on the Trail of Death through what is now Olathe’s Heritage Park. Page 96 20

Businesses launched through Open Doors, the storefront initiative that helped inspire the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City’s new marketplace concept aimed at filling vacancies ahead of the World Cup. Page 15

Shout Out

A big thanks to Social Media Coordinator Madison McMillen for stepping up and managing Kansas City magazine’s booth at the Kansas City Zoo’s annual fundraiser, Jazzoo.

Main Street Match

Union Station marketplace aims to turn World Cup traffic into small-business momentum

By David Hodes (Continued

on next page)

OPERATING A SMALL BUSINESS is always a cycle of hope and opportunity. With the World Cup in town, KC small businesses are getting an unprecedented new opportunity to show off, and the city is stepping in to help with a program that connects thousands of international visitors to small businesses at one of the best venues in town—Union Station.

From June 11 to July 12, the City of Entrepreneurs, a local business initiative by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, is creating a marketplace of curated small local businesses, entrepreneurs, artists and entertainers in the station’s Grand Hall.

Tracey Lewis, president and CEO of EDCKC said in a press release that by leveraging a global moment like the World Cup, “we are creating pathways for local entrepreneurs to grow, reach new audiences and be part of the city’s broader economic momentum.”

The marketplace promises to include a diverse mix of business types and sizes while prioritizing inclusivity and a well-balanced representation of the community. Smaller makers, artists and pop-up businesses will be able to participate by sharing spaces with others, allowing for a very accessible and collaborative environment.

The marketplace was a natural result of the success of Open Doors, EDCKC’s storefront vacancy initiative. Open Doors paved the way for 20 businesses to set up shop in empty commercial spaces around town during the World Cup, but there were many more that wanted a store but didn’t make the list, according to Nia Webster, the assistant

director of the Neighborhood Services Department for the city. “We wanted to figure out what else we could do with those folks,” Webster says. “We stumbled across the opportunity with Union Station, which was not a part of the original idea of what efforts or what activations or initiatives we could be doing for the World Cup that could help impact small businesses. So we’re kind of building the plane as we’re flying it.”

Webster expects high visitor foot traffic inside Union Station due to the World Cup’s FanFest at Liberty Memorial. “FanFest is only doing food-based businesses that might be local, and they have their own process for that,” Webster says. “So we’re kind of complementing that with retail at Union Station, with an indoor marketplace in an air-conditioned setting.”

Companies will be required to pay a vendor’s fee for booth space. EDCKC hopes to invest any money made from the Union Station marketplace back into Open Doors.

“We were leveraging sponsorships and things to kind of do that heavier lift of using the space,” Webster says. “But just because you’re a small business doesn’t mean it’s free, and I want people to stop thinking just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re not capable. So this may not be the best thing for a startup, per se, but it is good for a local business or any business that has the capacity to do it.”

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI’S PREMIER DESTINATION BIKE PARK

The largest municipal facility of its kind in Missouri (95 acres), the park features 10 miles of trails, plus elements for riders of all ages and skill levels.

KIDS BIKE PARK & TRAFFIC GARDEN BICYCLE SKILLS COURSE PUMP TRACK JUMP LINES

Road to the Cup

As Arrowhead hosts the world, Johnson County cities are rolling out transit connections to showcase shopping, dining and local destinations beyond the stadium

By Nicole Kinning (Continued

on next page)

THE WORLD CUP may center around Arrowhead Stadium, but city leaders are keeping that energy alive even on the other side of State Line.

Through the Johnson County United Link transportation initiative, riders will be able to travel between key Johnson County destinations and Arrowhead Stadium during the tournament, with stops including Mission Farms and Leawood Town Center. The service will operate alongside the broader ConnectKC26 World Cup transit network, which will circulate across the region with stops including Oak Park Mall, the Overland Park Convention Center, Lenexa City Center and the Mission Transit Center, giving visitors multiple ways to move throughout Johnson County and the metro area during tournament events.

The City of Leawood, alongside the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, has been planning World Cup-related initiatives since early 2025. “Leawood viewed this as an incredible opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world while celebrating and engaging our residents, schools and strong businesses,” says Leawood councilmember Julie

Riders will be able to purchase a $5 day pass, $25 seven-day pass and $50 tournament pass for access to the service.

Cain, who also serves on the city’s World Cup executive committee. City leaders saw participation in the transit route as a way to boost tourism and traffic to businesses in Kansas. “It was extremely important to Leawood Mayor Marc Elkins and the City Council to be part of the JoCo United Link to promote tourism, support community goodwill and drive awareness and foot traffic to Leawood and Chamber businesses,” Cain says.

Riders will be able to purchase a $5 day pass, $25 seven-day pass and $50 tournament pass for access to the service.

Local business owners are excited by the opportunity of bringing international customers to their doors. “The World Cup will bring so much energy and excitement to Kansas City, and having a transportation stop at Mission Farms gives visitors an easy way to experience everything this area has to offer beyond the stadiums,” says Darby Brender, owner of Sweat Lab Fitness Studio at Mission Farms.

To learn more about World Cup transportation around the metro visit, kansascityfwc26.com.

Springfield, Mo

Whether you explore hidden gems, kayak the Ozarks waterways or get nostalgic at the Birthplace of Route 66, you make the call and set your own pace. Here in the City of the Ozarks, it’s all about making it your own.

What and Where Am I?

LAST ISSUE, we asked our readers if they could identify this decades-old Art Deco treasure. We gave a hint: The second floor of this building was long home to a music venue. You may remember cautiously going down its precarious stairs after a stiff drink.

Several of you knew that the picture was of The Southwell Building (3941 Main St., KCMO), and one reader, Stephanie Hamil of Leawood, described it quite nicely.

“Beauty hidden in plain sight,” Hamil wrote. “Little-noticed nor long-remembered unless you are partial to Art Deco. And because Main Street is one where it is essential to keep an eye on the road, the beauty is most often ignored.”

50 YEARS OF STORYTELLING

There is something incredibly powerful about experiencing the Bible as a family—not just reading the stories but stepping inside the pages together. At Sight & Sound, every production is more than a performance. It is an invitation to gather with your loved ones, witness the Scriptures come to life, and be encouraged by true stories of hope and redemption.

From the ministry’s beginning as a multimedia slideshow, Sight & Sound has existed to reveal the power of the Gospel through meaningful storytelling on stage and screen. 50 years later, it has grown into one of the largest faith-based entertainment companies in the nation. With two state-of-the-art theater locations, a global streaming platform, and a feature film studio, Sight & Sound continues to expand its mission of telling His story through who they are and what they do — all while creating space for individuals to have an encounter with Christ through story.

Throughout these five decades, millions of guests have traveled from near and far to be swept into stories like JESUS, NOAH, QUEEN ESTHER, and JONAH as they come to life on a 300-foot wrap around stage. And this summer,

one of Sight & Sound’s most legendary productions, DAVID, is returning to Branson, MO for one final season!

From peaceful pastures to epic battlefields, your family is invited to journey alongside this young shepherd on his giant ascent to the throne. Complete with live animals, towering sets, and stunning special effects, DAVID is a theatrical experience designed to spark conversation, strengthen faith, and create lasting memories for every generation. Are you ready to make this summer one to remember? Join us for DAVID live on stage in Branson, MO now through October 8th.

North Kansas City’s Arts in the Park celebrates 10 years with local artwork, music, brews and global cuisine

By Nina Cherry

IN NORTH KANSAS CITY , Arts in the Park has spent the past decade celebrating local artwork, music and brews with its annual two-day festival. But aside from the typical art fest fare, stewarding the next generation of creatives has become a cornerstone of the event.

In 2018, the festival launched the Youth Art and Entrepreneurship Program, a four-week session that teaches children aged 10 to 17 how to create, promote and sell their artwork. As Arts in the Park returns to Macken Park on June 12 and 13, students of the program will debut and sell their creations to festivalgoers.

“The program has become really popular,” says Coti Meier, marketing and special events supervisor for North

Kansas City Parks and Recreation. “We’re giving kids the experience and education to make a business out of their art.”

On Friday night, the community-centric celebration kicks off with performances from local indie-rock bands Field Daze and Land Lion.

GO: June 12 & 13. Times vary. Macken Park.

Visit artsinthepark.org to learn more.

On Saturday, dance band The Suburbans headlines. Beyond the stage, the festival includes a beer garden with brews from the nearby Cinder Block Brewery and family-friendly attractions like a petting zoo, bounce houses and more. In partnership with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City, traditional cuisine from across the globe—including Kenya, Jamaica, Germany, Ecuador and Indonesia—will be available for purchase.

june

3

Kesha

With electropop hits like “Tik Tok” and “Die Young,” Kesha once dominated the charts with party-girl anthems. Still true to her pop roots, the artist has since turned a new leaf, often writing about self-love and independence (instead of all-nighters), though her signature bold, grungy and glittery style remains intact. Her performance marks the first concert at Morton Amphitheater, with special guests Chromeo and Sizzy Rocket joining the lineup. June 3. 7 pm. Morton Amphitheater.

9-14

Hadestown

This Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit musical comes to Starlight Theatre. Created by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown tells the tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to a rather upbeat (and catchy) tune. The brass-heavy folkloric score is inspired by the music of New Orleans, blending Dixieland jazz, ragtime, gospel and beyond in songs like “Wait For Me” and “Way Down Hadestown.” June 9–14. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.

5

Shakey Graves

Austin-born indie-rocker Shakey Graves is known for his vulnerable and often understated songwriting. Blending blues, rock, country and more, the musician’s tour follows the recent release of his fifth studio album, Fondness, Etc. Singer-songwriter Wes Parker opens. June 5. 8 pm. The Truman.

5-7

KC PrideFest

Pride Month is here, and the metro is celebrating at KC PrideFest. Located at Frank A. Theis Park, just across the street from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the three-day festival features a robust lineup of local bands, drag queens, informational sessions, a vendor fair and more. On Saturday morning, the festival’s colorful, annual parade kicks off in Westport at 11 am, marching south toward the festival grounds. June 5–7. Times vary. Frank A. Theis Park.

6

The Rainmakers

Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, rock band The Rainmakers painted a portrait of what life in middle America looked like—and it made for a string of hits. Originally from KC, the group’s debut self-titled album held a spot on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart for five months and became even more popular throughout Europe, especially in the United Kingdom and Norway. Although The Rainmakers have

broken up and reformed a couple of times over the past four decades, the band is back together, set to perform hits like “Let My People Go-Go” at the East Bottoms institution Knuckleheads. June 6. 8 pm. Knuckleheads.

11–July 5

The Wiz

Ease on down the road to Music Theater Heritage’s production of The Wiz. When this interpretation of The Wizard of Oz made its Broadway debut in 1974, it took home seven Tony Awards and was soon followed by a film adaptation starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Reimagined through the lens of the Black American experience, The Wiz follows Dorothy—a teacher in Harlem—as she’s transported into a fantastical, urbanized Oz. With hits like “You Can’t Win” and “Home,” she picks up a few friends on her journey back to Manhattan. June 11–July 5. Times vary. Grand Theater at Crown Center.

11–July 11

FIFA Fan Festival

After months of buzz (and construction), the World Cup has finally arrived in Kansas City. If you couldn’t get your hands on tickets to a match, FIFA Fan Festival is hosting watch parties across the monthlong festivities—complete with live music, food and drink. Held downtown on the lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, headliners include Flo Rida, Cimafunk and KC’s own Tech N9ne, as well as an extensive lineup of local talents like Brass and Boujee, Making Movies and Hembree. Admission is free, but passes must be reserved ahead of time. Times and dates vary. National WWI Museum and Memorial.

13

Tacos

& Tequila Festival

There will be plenty of fiery salsas and margaritas to go around at this festival, but the event’s main draw is throwback hip-hop and R&B. This year’s headliners include Three 6 Mafia, Busta Rhymes, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy and more. June 13. 1:30 pm. Legends Field.

KC Diamonds Home Opener

Kansas City’s first professional softball team makes its debut. A part of the newly formed Professional Softball League, the KC Diamonds are among seven teams—including the New York Rise, Atlanta Smoke and Chattanooga Chill—to join the association’s inaugural season. The Diamonds’ roster of standout players includes pitcher Taylor Pannell (a Mizzou alum and Lee’s Summit native) and catcher Leah Boggs. June 17. 6:35 pm. Legends Field.

16

Paul Simon: A Quiet Celebration

Folk rock legend Paul Simon, best known for his work with Art Garfunkel, brings a musical legacy more than six decades in the making to KC. The two-act performance opens with an approximately half-hour set from his latest release, Seven Psalms, followed by a set of hits—like “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “The Sound of Silence”— and deep cuts alike. June 16. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.

16–July 5

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Since 1990, Heart of American Shakespeare Festival has brought the Bard’s work to KC audiences for free on the lawn of Southmoreland Park. This year, the festival presents one of the playwright’s most famous and frequently adapted works, Macbeth. Pack a blanket or lawn chairs for this five-act tragedy, which is Shakespeare’s shortest. June 16–July 5, Tuesdays–Sundays. 8 pm. Southmoreland Park.

19 & 20

JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival

JuneteenthKC commemorates Freedom Day with a weekend of history, music, food, local artists and more in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. This year, which marks 15 years since the Heritage Festival’s inception, the lineup is headlined by hip-hop legend Common and also includes local talents like The Royal Chief and Roblo DaStar. June 19 & 20. 12 pm. 18th and Vine Jazz District.

19–21

21

Make Music Day

In 1982, a grassroots celebration of music—Fête de la Musique—made its debut in Paris. Now, over 1,000 communities across the world participate in this event, also known as Make Music Day, each year on the summer solstice—including KC. Organized by Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the festivities bring free live performances from area performers to parks, local businesses, community centers and more across the metro. June 21. Times and locations vary. Visit makemusicday. org/kcmo for more information.

26 & 27

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and

Dvořák’s ‘New

World Symphony’

The Kansas City Symphony closes out its season with two monumental orchestral works: George Gershwin’s iconic jazz concerto “Rhapsody in Blue” and Antonín Dvořák’s “Ninth Symphony,” the Czech composer’s tribute to the sounds and scenery of America. Led by guest conductor Peter Oundjian, featured pianist Michelle Cann joins the orchestra, also performing Florence Price’s sweeping, single movement “Piano Concerto.” June 19–21. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.

Great Lenexa BBQ Battle

The designated Kansas State Championship returns to Lenexa for its 42nd annual cook-off. From backyard hobbyists to professional pitmasters, this competition features approximately 150 teams smoking ribs, briskets and more. Friday night is open to the public as a festival with music, plenty of barbecue and kids activities. On Saturday, the focus shifts to the competition, but visitors are still welcome to stroll the park to take in the sights and smells of the contest. June 26 & 27. Times vary. Sar-KoPar Trails Park.

Worth Its Salt

Morton Amphitheater is open, and it’s built for the ultimate night out

By Nicole Kinning

FOR RIVERSIDE’S NEWEST VENUE, the concert is only part of the draw. At Morton Amphitheater, visitors are encouraged to arrive early and stay late in an atmosphere where the experience goes beyond who’s on stage.

The venue’s grand opening is the first day of June, with a community preview night featuring the band Summer Breeze. Two nights later, Kesha kicks off the official concert season. “The excitement gives me goosebumps,” says Tim Burris, general manager of Morton Amphitheater. “The City of Riverside and Mayor Kathy Rose and her team have been so supportive.”

The venue was designed with the full evening in mind. Before visitors even reach their seats, they’re surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds with open green spaces, picnic tables, lounge chairs, and food and beverage options encouraging them to come early and hang out before the show.

“It almost opens up to another venue,” Burris says. “There’s so much space to hang out in and places to eat. You can come have a drink or two and a meal and make

↓

FIND YOUR SHOW:

From country to rock to R&B, Morton’s first summer is stacked. Get full details and ticket info at mortonamphitheater.com.

If you’re craving a summer night filled with cold beer and loud country: Dierks Bentley, June 13

If you’ve seen DMB every summer since college and you’re not stopping now: Dave Matthews Band, June 24

If you know every word to “Jack & Diane”: John Mellencamp, July 13

If you discovered him three albums ago and have been waiting for this show ever since: Tyler Childers, July 14

If you slow-danced to “So Sick” at prom: Ne-Yo and Akon, August 7

this your night out instead of stopping anywhere else.” Morton also offers luxury box packages for anyone looking to elevate the experience: four-, eight-, and 12-person suites with in-seat service, dedicated waitstaff, reserved parking and access to the exclusive Vinyl Room lounge, a quieter, club-style atmosphere.

Still, Burris emphasizes that the venue was built to feel premium at every ticket level. The lawn area sits close to the stage, bar and concession access is always nearby, and the open layout avoids the disconnected feeling that can come with larger outdoor venues.

The summer’s concert lineup is brimming, with shows booked through mid-October. “No matter what your musical taste is, we’ve got something for everybody,” Burris says. The venue is operated by Live Nation, and Burris adds that Morton is already shaping up to be one of the busiest new amphitheaters in its debut year.

Looking ahead, Burris hints at programming beyond concerts. Festival-style events are already on the radar, and the venue is preparing to host a July 3 World Cup viewing event. The Vinyl Room can also be privately rented for corporate and special events.

Burris’ advice for visitors: Plan ahead, then sit back and relax. “You literally can create an evening a la carte all to yourself,” he says. “Pre-buy your parking, buy your ticket, do your upgrades. Then, a month later, just show up. It’s almost like a one-night vacation.”

Field of Dreams

UNITED WE’S CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE 2026 brought together a remarkable collective of civic leaders, policymakers, business executives and changemakers for a milestone conversation streaming live nationwide from CPKC Stadium.

Panelists including NFL Network host Kimmi Chex, Kansas City Current owner Brittany Mahomes, Forbes Media’s Maneet Ahuja, IMA Financial Group chairman and CEO Rob Cohen and Female Quotient

founder Shelley Zalis led conversations on everything from infrastructure to workplace culture, making the case that intentional design and policy are the keys to building a more inclusive and resilient economic future for everyone.

We want to hear from you. Tell us about events happening in the community. –Dawnya Bartsch, editor-in-chief, editor@kansascitymag.com.

what it means to design spaces and opportunities that elevate women.

The CPKC Stadium scoreboard sets the stage for United WE’s Champions for Change 2026.

Brittany Mahomes addresses the crowd from the podium at CPKC Stadium, sharing her vision for

Brittany Mahomes, owner of the Kansas City Current, receives a Champions for Change award on the field at CPKC Stadium.

From left: Meghann Hoffman, Susan Schaefer, Lara Krug, Shelley Zalis, United WE CEO Wendy Doyle, Maneet Ahuja, Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Cynthia Simpson and Rob Cohen.

From left: Host Kimmi Chex, Missy Jenkins and Matt Linski.

Front row, from left: Matt Linski, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Maneet Ahuja, Wendy Doyle, Shelley Zalis and chancellor Mauli Agrawal. Back row, from left: Missy Jenkins, Susan Schaefer, Kimmi Chex, Clay Smith, David Brain, Rob Cohen, Beth Wade and Cathi Brain.

Co-hosts, from left: Pooja Shah, Jaclyn Johnson, Patricia Shipp, Lindsay Kinney and Shruti Tejwani.

From left: Mayor Quinton Lucas, Michael Saunders and Andre Logan.

Human Nature

R&B singer-songwriter and Broadway performer Hailes gears up to perform at FIFA Fan Fest

By Nina Cherry

BROADWAY ALUM and singer-songwriter Lindsey Hailes knows her way around a stage. But it wasn’t until she was cast in the hit musical Hadestown that she felt pulled to focus on songwriting more than theater.

Hailes—who is originally from Overland Park—was heavily inspired by the production’s playwright and composer, Anaïs Mitchell, an Americana songwriter who wrote the musical in her Vermont home. Similar to Mitchell, Hailes had recently begun writing songs in the bedroom of her shoebox New York City apartment.

“Being a part of the energy of that show, it was like, this really is the formula,” Hailes says. “I have a very strong opinion that most people don’t want to just step into something that’s already built. I think it’s our human nature to want to create things for ourselves. That’s where my attention is now.”

Today, the musician simply goes by her last name, Hailes, and describes her style as “R&B infused with everything.” Later this month, on June 26, she’s taking the stage for an international audience at the FIFA World Cup’s Fan Festival. She says the performance will be her largest stage to date, trumping Broadway. “I pride myself on being very intimate and personal, but in a space like FIFA Fan Fest, it’s very rowdy,” Hailes says. “I’m excited to adapt my music for a lively sports audience and push myself.”

To amp up the performance, she plans to add a horn section to her band, reworking arrangements from her debut album, Good Things Take Time, and cooking up remixes with help from drummer and co-music director Ryan J. Lee.

As is the case for many worthwhile creative endeavors, Hailes has built a career on taking risks. After studying musical theater for a year at Pittsburgh’s Point Park, she had an inkling that school wasn’t the right fit for her. So she boarded a megabus to New York City to audition for a touring production of The Wizard of Oz and promptly landed a role. She left school the next week and hit the road. An ensemble role in Dirty Dancing followed and, eventually, Hadestown. Last year, after a decade spent touring the country and working in New York, Hailes decided it was time to come home. Although she had performed in KC on national tours, it wasn’t until last summer that she introduced her own music to her hometown at the Blue Room. “My music was received so well,” Hailes says. “I met so many local artists and just thought, wow, this city is so different from when I was a kid.”

For Hailes, the upcoming FIFA Fan Fest performance is the beginning of what’s next. With 14 songs and counting in the vault, she says new music is on the horizon—singles, an EP and a sophomore album. “After being on a stage of that size and the kind of visibility that can give me, I’m expecting a lot of new opportunities that I don’t even know of yet,” Hailes says.

GO: Hailes at FIFA Fan Festival. June 26. 5 pm. National WWI Museum and Memorial.

] Rotator Cuff Strain

] Shoulder Impingement

] Labral Tear

] Multidirectional Instability

] Tendonitis

] UCL Sprain

] Hand & Wrist Pain

] Hip Flexor Strain

] Labral Tears

] SI Dysfunction

] Low Back Pain

] Ligament Repair

] Meniscal Tears

] Patellofemoral Pain

] Patella Dislocation

Ankle Sprain ] Plantar Fasciitis

Balance & Gait Disorders

Maximalist Metalsmith

Jeweler

Shannon Jones’ bold, custom designs commemorate new beginnings, loss and more

By Nina Cherry

FROM ENGAGEMENTS TO MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS AND EVEN DIVORCES , jeweler Shannon Jones’ custom designs commemorate an array of new beginnings and landmark moments. But more often than not, she says, her clients come to her in the face of grief.

“Half or more of the projects I work on are people remaking things that were given to them by someone who has passed—especially women who have lost their mothers,” Jones says. “Some people are precious about it and they don’t want to touch the jewelry, and sometimes it just doesn’t feel like it’s yours until you put your own spin on it.”

Jones is the owner of Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry, a business she named after her beloved grandmother. After several years working for other jewelers, she struck out on her own nearly a decade ago and

opened her first brick-and-mortar in October.

In her Westside storefront and studio, Jones is crafting what she likes to call “future heirlooms” that are “modern but rooted in traditional jewelry.” Although she’s skilled at crafting a range of styles, she isn’t known for dainty, subtle designs—maximalist creations are her bread and butter. Scroll her colorful Instagram portfolio (@ maggiejonesshop) and you’ll find bold accessories like a whopping sapphire and tourmaline cocktail ring and a chunky paperclip chain necklace with dangling bezel gemstones.

“I want my jewelry to walk in the room for me,” Jones says. “I love metal. I mean, I’m a metalsmith—I like to see it.”

In addition to repairs and custom projects, the full-service studio and event space hosts occasional pop-ups, parties and hands-on workshops and retails a small collection of Jones’ work and pieces by fellow independent jewelers. The Westside shop is only open Friday afternoons and most first weekends of each month, but customers can visit the showroom by appointment—or by chance.

Visit Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry in person (1705 Summit St., KCMO) or book an appointment at maggiejones.shop.

Dropping Anchor

After building a following from coast to coast, locally founded brand Mersea is opening a storefront at home

By Nicole Kinning

MELANIE BOLIN AND LINA DICKINSON , co-founders of the women’s lifestyle and apparel brand Mersea, met the way so many those with great partnerships do: through their children. Their kids ended up in the same class at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School and a friendship took root.

Both women had spent years on the West Coast before settling in Kansas City, and they quickly realized they shared a restlessness, entrepreneurial drive and sense of style inspired by life near the water.

“We were both maybe coming to the conclusion that we missed that part of ourselves around the same time,” Bolin says.

A business idea blossomed. The two launched Mersea (pronounced “merci,” like the French salutation) as, according to them, an adventure. The brand went national from the start, building a devoted following across the country before ever planting a flag in its hometown.

The company originally began with scent products, namely candles. “Scent is a natural transporter,” Dickinson says. “Even if it’s the dead of winter, if you light a salt air candle, suddenly you’re near the ocean.”

From there, the collection expanded into apparel centered on comfort, versatility and travel, with what the founders describe as a subtle, “tailor-esque” sensibility inspired by coastal living. The Catalina sweater, a simple one-size knit, has become the brand’s signature piece. It’s packable, washable and endlessly layerable and sells in the thousands each year.

The Mersea line has grown organically from there into easy button-down shirts, soft French Terry separates and stretch denim for women who want clothes that feel polished without being overcomplicated. “Our customer is a woman who knows herself,” Bolin says. “She knows what she likes.”

This month, that customer can shop Mersea in-person for the first time ever when the brand opens its flagship at the Country Club Plaza. The space, according to Bolin and Dickinson, will feel distinctly Mersea: bright, airy and relaxed, with light woods, whites and blues and subtle nautical touches inspired by the spirit of travel. “Kansas City is very fortunate because they get to reap the benefits of us going everywhere,” Dickinson says. “We always want to bring that experience back.”

The storefront will also focus on special projects and partnerships, including Sea La Vie, a collaboration with Selma Blair designed around what the actress called “charming details” and built on a beach-to-breakfast wearability that reflects Blair’s approach to fashion. Mersea also recently launched a collaboration with Stella Forest, the French label known for its bohemian-meets-Parisian style and hand-embroidered fabrics.

In a way, the Plaza store is kind of a homecoming. “[Mersea] was embraced from the get-go by Kansas City,” Dickinson says. “We have often attributed our success and our beginnings here.” For the first time, shoppers can now walk in, touch the denim, smell the candles and see the full scope of what Mersea has become.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERSEA

Art in the Loop Comes “Home” Public art hits the streetcar line in time for the World Cup

By Ryan Reed

WHETHER IT’S MURALS, sculptures or the impressive display at the airport, KC continues to show its dedication to public art. Art in the Loop, an annual summer-long celebration of local visual and performing artists throughout downtown, is doing its part.

“It’s an opportunity for people to connect, to look at the artwork and what the artist has created,” says Ann Holliday, vice president of strategic initiatives for the Downtown Council of Kansas City. “Art connects us and helps us see the world in a new way.”

Now in its 13th year, this summer’s event series—which welcomes dancers, painters, illustrators, musicians and poets alike—kicks off on June 3 at Kansas City Public Library’s Central Library and closes October 29. The recent Kansas City Streetcar extension saw more than a dozen new sheltered stops built along the route, just in time for Art in the Loop to deck them out with vibrant art by 11 local visual artists.

“The kickoff will have some great performances,” Holliday says. “All the visual and performing artists will be there and we’ll celebrate them and talk about the whole program for the summer.” And what a program it is.

This year’s selected theme is “Home,” which shines particularly bright as KC prepares for an influx of international World Cup fan visitors. The artists’ interpretation of the theme—whether it be their own visions of home or how KC has become their home—should be interesting for the audience of downtowners and visitors from nearby and abroad.

The mission of the Art in the Loop Foundation—a partnership of local groups including the Downtown Council, Kansas City Art

Institute, KC Streetcar and others—is to bring art to the public, out of the museums, and meet people where they are. They do this by showcasing local artists at the streetcar stop shelters and wrapping one of the streetcars in an artist’s work. Additionally some of KC’s brightest acts will perform at free concerts over the next several months, including The Royal Chief, MissConception, The DynamitExperience and BodaciousThang. But rhymes, dance and soul are just a portion of what’s on the menu.

“We are advocating for and supporting the growth of our downtown as a neighborhood where people live, work and play,” says Holliday. “But that neighborhood includes a lot of artists, a lot of creative folks, and we’re interested in its economic development as well. We want to show the people that are experiencing downtown the creativity that exists here. The idea is that art connects people.”

Over the summer, events will take place on the streetcars, at Central Library, in River Market and at Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park. In addition to musical, spoken word and dance performances, one of the standout traditions of the series is selecting an artist to design a wrap for one of the streetcars. This year, that honor goes to Ramona Cliff, whose Evening Flights will adorn the cars.

This year’s Art in the Loop will feature visual art by Anjola Ayodele, Michelle Brigs, Mona Cliff, Chrinstine Cookson, Deanna Dikeman, DINKC, Cheryl Gail, Kai Johnson, Edwing Mendez, Taylar Sanders, Vania Soto and Kevin VanEmburgh. For more information about performing artists and scheduled events, visit artintheloop.com.

Mona Cliff artwork, Evening Flights

Edwing Mendez’s artwork, Woven for the Cosmos

This OP home refresh proves that the best renovations don’t always require a sledgehammer

By

Nicole Kinning Photography by Laurie Kilgore Photography

“Lighting is like the jewelry of the home. You can fill it with beautiful things, but if your lighting doesn't give you those ‘wow’ moments, it just falls flat.”

A HOME CAN HAVE ALL THE RIGHT DETAILS , from arched doorways and intricate crown molding to sculptural ceilings and custom woodwork, but still feel like it just doesn’t fit the people living there.

That was the case for a homeowner in Overland Park’s Gleneagales neighborhood, who told interior designer Maureen Lindstrom that while her home was beautiful, it no longer felt like her. "She just wanted to lighten it up, brighten it up," Lindstrom says. "She liked having some spaces be moody and some spaces be bright, but she really just wanted it to feel fresh and current."

In this home redesign, there were no walls removed and no major structural changes made. Lindstrom and her ML Designs team replaced carpet with hardwood floors in the entryway and living room, reworked the hearth room fireplace, swapped out lighting and hardware, added wallpaper and reimagined the furniture plan throughout, proving a space can be transformed without doing a full gut.

WORKING WITH WHAT’S THERE

One of Lindstrom’s core values as a designer is to resist the urge to tear everything up. In this home, that meant identifying what was worth saving and seeing how she could reimagine it.

The staircase railing, for example, had beautiful lines but a bronzy, Tuscan finish that felt plucked out of 2007. A coat of black paint transformed it entirely—just as it did the interior doors. "It just gives it an automatic elevated look," Lindstrom says.

In the living room, an existing blue grasscloth wallpaper was removed, but it was a decision that Lindstrom admits she didn’t take lightly. The wallpaper was cutting the room off visually, making the barrel ceiling feel low. By drenching the ceiling and walls in the same color, the eye travels upward and the architecture gets to breathe.

A built-in desk in the kitchen—"very circa 1990," Lindstrom says—was removed and the space was converted to a beverage and bar center. The desk was salvaged and relocated to a bright corner of the living room, positioned behind the sofa where it now overlooks the garden.

DETAILS THAT DO HEAVY LIFTING

Ask Lindstrom the most overlooked asset in a home refresh and she won’t hesitate: lighting.

"Lighting is like the jewelry of the home," she says. "You can fill it with beautiful things, but if your lighting doesn't give you those ‘wow’ moments, it just falls flat." Her advice to anyone looking to make one update with the biggest impact is to change the light fixtures. Scale also matters; according to Lindstrom, undersized chandeliers are one of the most common design mistakes people make.

- INTERIOR DESIGNER MAUREEN LINDSTROM

Hardware falls in the same bucket. Bold pulls on the new bar cabinetry, statement door hardware throughout and brass accents in the kitchen (including a new range hood and swapped-out drawer pulls) add impact without a major overhaul.

What was once a plain storage space got a facelift with French doors, mirrored panels to open up the tight footprint, custom cabinet doors and a lively leopard-print wallpaper. "She wasn't afraid of color or doing a print," Lindstrom says. "It just gives a fun little bit of whimsy."

Our motto is always to make it beautiful but also functional," Lindstrom says.

TRUSTING THE PROCESS

The primary bedroom is where Lindstrom and the homeowner took the biggest leap of faith. Lindstrom wanted to drench the room in a rich chocolate brown and paint the ceiling the same color.

"So many people are afraid of brown because they've had to take it out before," Lindstrom says. The homeowner was hesitant, especially about the ceiling. But Lindstrom held firm. "I think we needed to paint the ceiling to really see the effect of the tray and to make it feel updated." The room's beautiful trim and molding were kept cream, and the vast wall of windows keeps it from ever feeling cave-like.

The carpet, a splurge, was a textural, warm-toned pattern that the homeowner fell in love with on the spot. An oversized bird print graces the wall above a custom bench, and it’s one of her favorite pieces in the house.

PRETTY AND PRACTICAL

Lindstrom returns to the same belief in each of her projects: A home has to work as hard as it looks. "Our motto is always to make it beautiful but also functional," Lindstrom says. "Some people make it beautiful, but then it doesn't function. It's really important to us that it be both—that it helps make their day-to-day life easier but also brings them joy because it's so pretty."

In the hearth room, a set of built-ins the homeowner never loved were removed. Instead of slapping on some drywall in the empty space, Lindstrom had a custom bench built to fit the nook exactly, finished with artwork behind it. "She's like, ‘that's one of my favorite little spots now,’" says Lindstrom. "And it's extra seating when the whole family's over." A potential eyesore became one of the most charming corners in the house.

VOT

ED B EST B RE A K FAST

Left to right bottom row: Becca Hageman, Chris Smart, Debbie Breuer, Monique Exposito, Kelly Esslinger, Betsy O’Brien, Jonas Barrish, Jacquelyn Layman Coates, Jennie Konomos, Lauren Hopmann, Samantha Barlaan

Top row left to right: Margy Regan, Monica Lazkani, Cari Coffman, Emily Aylward Vogt, Caitlin Flynn

*Not Pictured Mindy Wetmore

More than 300 reader-picked winners, plus our editors’ favorite quirky things, people, places and bites shaping the city right now.

By Nina Cherry, Nicole Kinning, Maddie McMillen, Ryan Reed and Hampton Stevens

Kansas City knows what it likes. After a metro-wide nomination round where the top five nominees in each category were picked for a final round of voting, the results are in.

Thousands of votes were tallied to create this list of more than 300 of the city’s best restaurants, shops, bars, people, services and hidden gems, all chosen by the people who know KC best—you. From the creamiest custard and diviest dive bar to the best place to curl your golden locks or repair your shoes, consider this your ultimate guide to the most popular places in the metro.

CHEERS

City Life, Nightlife & Weddings

Editor’s Pick

Best Place To Get Lost in History

MISSOURI RIVER VIEWING DECK

RIVERFRONT HERITAGE TRAIL, KCMO

If you have not yet been to the Missouri River Viewing Deck at the far north end of Main Street south of the river, may this be your excuse to do so. Just a few blocks from the River Market North streetcar stop, it’s not so much the signage and documentation at the river trail head, as it is just the feeling of place. Watching the barges, planes, trains, cars and walkers intersect at this curve of the river really drives home the resilience of our little spot of earth here. - RR

READER’S CHOICE CITY LIFE

Best KCK Neighborhood Strawberry Hill

Best Country Club

Indian Hills

Best Radio Personality

Dana Wright

Best Local Radio Show

Dana and Parks

Best Local Blog

KC Daily

Best Local TV Anchor

Abby Eden

Best Place of Worship

St. James United

Methodist Church

Best Financial Planning

Holistic Planning

Best Local Morning Talk Show

MyKC Live

Best Fundraising Event

The Big Slick

Best Financial Institution Commerce Bank

Best Kansas Suburb Prairie Village

Best Place to Work Square Peg Marketing + Branding

Best Insurance Agency USAA

Best Car Dealership

Rob Sight Ford

Best Local Landmark WW1 Memorial

Best Local Athlete

Patrick Mahomes

Best Missouri Suburb Lee’s Summit

Best Radio Station

KMBZ 319

Best Johnson County

Neighborhood Downtown Overland Park

Best Law Firm Northland Injury Law

Best Local Podcast Artful Connections Along the Streetcar

Best Local Meteorologist Brian Busby

Best Fountain Firefighter Fountain in Midtown

Best DUI Attorney

Kim Benjamin

Best Local TV News Station

Len Jennings

KMBC 226

Best Philanthropist

Scott Poore

Best Local Mascot

KC Wolf

Best Festival Crossroads Music Fest

Best Family Law Attorney

Megan Noble - Fisher Law

Best Tour Company

KC Mob Tour

Best Golf Course Sykes-Lady Overland Park Golf Club

Best Auto Repair Shop I-70 Auto

Best Local Coach

Andy Reid

Best Personal Injury Attorney Northland Injury Law

Best Local TV Sports Anchor

Mitch Holthus

Best Local Band

Soul Servers

Best Community Activist

Scott Poore

Best KCMO Neighborhood Brookside

Editor’s Pick

Best Hack to Get Free Royals Tickets

GATE E AT THE K

In a day where StubHub’s fees are borderline criminal, the Royals’ Bring Out the Books program lets you trade in a children’s book for a free ticket. On any game day at The K, head to Gate E on the right field side, donate one book, and score one ticket. Only the first 100 donations are eligible each game The book donations benefit the Royals Literacy League, the team’s initiative to get kids reading. When you take the voucher to the ticket counter, you can then exchange it for your ticket as-is or pay to upgrade. - NK

READER’S CHOICE NIGHT LIFE

Best Cocktail El Chango - Jade Jaguar

Best Mocktails Wild Child

Best Bar Staff

Gaels Public House and Sports

Best LGBTQ+ Bar Gaels Public House and Sports

Best Casino Argosy

Best Dance Party Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Wine Shop Cellar Rat

Best Plaza/South KC Bar Gaels Public House and Sports

Best Mixologist Brooke Silvey Tannin Wine Bar

Best Beer Collaboration

The Royal ChiefVine Street Brewing

Best Martini The Campground

Best Karaoke Hot Mics Entertainment

Best IPA Space Camper

Best Wine Expert Barry Tunnel - Tannin Wine Bar

Best KCK/Wyandotte County Bar Hillsiders

Best Local Brewery Vine Street Brewery

Best Hotel Bar KC Craft and Co.

Best Dive Bar Lucky Boys

Best Drag Show Hamburger Mary’s

Best Trivia Night Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Limo/Party Bus Company Showtime Limo

Best Missouri Suburbs Bar Hand in Glove

Best Bar with Live Music Knuckleheads

Best Happy Hour Tannin Wine Bar

Best Speakeasy Swordfish Tom’s

Best Johnson County Bar Verdigris

Best Bottle Shop Mike’s (Westport)

Best Winery Amigoni

Best Cocktail Program Jade Jaguar

Best Distillery J. Rieger

Best Girl’s Night Out Bar Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Place to Pregame The Granfalloon

Best Liquor Store Mike’s Westport

Best Sports Bar

Gaels Public House and Sports

Best Westport/Midtown Bar Harry’s

Best Bloody Mary Jim’s Alley Bar

Best Northland Bar Big Shots Bar and Grill

Best New Bar Mineral Lounge

Best Downtown KCMO Bar Tannin Wine Bar

Best Cigar Lounge The Shop

Best Date Bar Mineral Lounge

Best Margarita Gaels Public House and Sports

Best Bar Pop-Up @girlsnightmademedoit

READER’S CHOICE WEDDINGS

Best Wedding Venue The Brim

Best Tuxedo Shop Slabotsky’s

Best Place for Rehearsal Dinner Lidia’s

Best Wedding Caterer Dutzel’s Catering

Best Wedding Videographer Taylor’d Films

Best Wedding Photographer Cassidy Drury Photography & Mallorie McBride Photography

Best Alterations A Fine Stitch

Best Wedding Planner Confetti Events

Best Wedding Florist Wild Hill Flowers

Best Wedding Band Lost Wax

Best Wedding Cake Maker McLain’s

Best Bachelor Party Venue Top Golf

Best Wedding DJ DJ Cruse (Hot mics Entertainment)

Best Wedding Jeweler Meierotto Jewelers

Best Hand Letterer Letter by Maude

Best Bachelorette Party Venue Elms Hotel and Spa

Best Bridal Shop Something White Bridal

Best Wedding Officiant Celebrant Timmy Gibson

Corvino Supper Club

FEAST Food & Drink

Editor’s Pick

Best Place To Have a Drink

if You Don’t Want a Late Night

THE IRON DISTRICT

1599 IRON ST., NORTH KANSAS CITY

Nestled in North Kansas City just blocks from the Rabbit Hole, this collection of shipping container food trucks and picnic tables offers something for everyone in a comfy, outdoor food court setting. Delicious foods are available from The Sourdough Spot, Cargo Cantina, Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine and Tattooed Hog BBQ, among others. But the best part? Everything here closes at 9 pm, and last call is at 8:30. It’s not that roaring through Kansas City’s nightlife with your friends until the wee hours isn’t fun; it’s just that sometimes you want to be in bed by 10 on a Saturday night. - RR

READER’S CHOICE FOOD

Best Gelato SPIN! Pizza

Best Chocolatier Christopher Elbow

Best Burnt Ends Jack Stack

Best Greek Meddy’s

Best Tacos Taco Naco KC

Best Pho Vietnam Cafe

Best Local Donut Shop Lamar’s

Best Patio Char Bar Westport

Best French Fries Joe’s KC

Best Barbecue Sandwich Joe’s KC

Best Mexican Restaurant Ponak’s

Best Fried Chicken Stroud’s

Best New Restaurant Akoya Omakase

Best Brunch Spot The Big Biscuit

Best Bakery McLain’s

Best Chef

Peter Hoang

Best Farmers Market

City Market

Best Pub Food

The Peanut

Best Comfort Food

The Big Biscuit

Best Coffee Shop

The Roasterie

Best Cupcakes

McLain’s

Best Barbecue Joe’s KC

Best Indian Aahaa Modern Indian Cuisine

Best Food Truck

Taco Naco KC

Best Smoothie/Juice Bar

Ruby Jean’s

Best Restaurant When Someone Else Is Paying

Capital Grille

Best Sushi

Akoya Omakase

Best Pizza

Minsky’s

Best Thai

Bamboo Penny’s

Best Vegetarian/

Vegan Restaurant

Enjoy Pure Food + Drink

Best Ice Cream

Betty Rae’s

Best Gyro

Jerusalem Cafe

Best Ribs

Jack Stack

Best Breakfast

The Big Biscuit

Best Italian Garozzo’s

Best Steak House Capital Grille

Best Barbecue Sauce

Jack Stack

Best Barbecue Rub Joe’s KC

Best Restaurant for Kids Fritz’s

Best Burger Westport Flea Market

Best Seafood Spot

Akoya Omakase

Best Food Bargain Aldi

Best Food Pop-Up Chingu

Best Pie

Tippin’s Pies

Best Sandwich Shop

Jersey Mike’

Best Cinnamon Rolls Corner Cafe

Best Restaurant Red Door Woodfired Grill

Best Hot Dogs Costco

Best Diner Town Topic

Best Ramen KC Craft Ramen

Best Gluten-Free Restaurant

Billie’s Grocery

Best Korean KPot

Best Burrito Taco Naco KC

Editor’s Pick

Best Spot for a Tea Party

GREENWOOD COUNTRY TEA ROOM

502 W. MAIN ST., GREENWOOD

With 40 teas on the menu, the Greenwood Country Tea Room doesn’t play around. From black, green, oolong, rooibos, herbal and chai varieties ranging from a classic Earl Grey to the more adventurous Swiss chocolate or Quanzhou Milk Oolong, you’ll want to try every blend there. Each pot is brewed to order and priced for sharing, making it the perfect excuse to slow down and sip with your pinky up. It's also attached to a giant antique mall, so you can shop for vintage china before drinking out of it. Whether you're hosting a birthday, a bridal shower or just need a good reason to eat finger sandwiches on a Tuesday, the tearoom is available for private events too. greenwoodtearoom.com. - NK

Best Sushi Akoya Omakase

Editor’s Pick

Best Place To Split a Cheap Lunch

BABA’S PANTRY

1019 E. 63RD ST. KCMO

It goes without saying that Baba’s Pantry is a Kansas City dining treasure, but it also turns out to be a pretty dang good deal. The chicken shawarma combo (which comes with an iced tea or lemonade and nearly too many fries to eat) is a whopping $15.98. This includes your choice of sandwich toppings at no additional cost (Torshi and pickled turnips, please). Easily enough food for two people and still under $10 each, it may be the best meal deal in KC. Of course, it will be hard to stop there when you are surrounded by all the beautiful treats from their bakery and the fridge filled with hummus and babaganoush, but it’s the principle of the thing. - RR

Editor’s Pick Line Most Worth Waiting in at the Farmers Market

MICHELLE’S SOURDOUGH AND PRETZEL COMPANY

209 S.E. GREEN ST., LEE’S SUMMIT

It goes There are a lot of good reasons to show up early to Lee’s Summit’s Green Street Farmers Market, whether it’s for the biggest bouquets or the best meat cuts. Michelle’s Sourdough and Pretzel Company is also near the top of the list. The pretzels here are the stuff of legend: perfectly soft, golden and salty and available in flavors like rosemary and garlic and jalapeno cheddar that’ll ruin all other soft pretzels for you entirely. Michelle’s sets up shop every Saturday (and Wednesday, if you need a midweek fix) from 8 am to noon, April through October. Can’t make it to the market? They take online orders too. michellessourdoughandpretzelcompany.net. - RR

Thank you, Kansas City!

Chef Penny left Thailand 30 years ago to come to America seeking a better life. It was by chance she found her voice and her joy here through food. Penny’s natural creativity and passion for preparing and sharing great food led her to where she is today, sharing it with you!

LIFESTYLE

Shopping, Home, & Pets

Editor’s Pick

Best Room

MISSOURI VALLEY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY 14 W. 10TH ST., KCMO

Cool in the summer and cozy in the winter, the Missouri Valley Room at the KCPL Central Library downtown is a gem of the system. Adorned with creaky wooden chairs and greenshaded banker’s lamps, the Missouri Valley Room invites you to sit for a while and skim a few pages or spend the weekend tracing genealogies through high school yearbooks and city directories. The delightful staff are always willing to help you with a rabbit hole you are falling down, but be ready to leave your bags and beverages in a locker. This is an archive, after all, no matter how much it feels like a set from an Indiana Jones movie. - RR

READER’S CHOICE SHOPPING

Best Hotel Crossroads Hotel

Best Record Store Josey’s

Best DIY Supply Store Magpie Creative Reuse

Best Local Clothing Store The Parlor

Best Garden Supply/Nursery

Family Tree Nursery

Best Grocery Store Hy-Vee

Best Clothing Resale Store Story Boutique

Best Eyeglass Shop Fairway Eye Center

Best Local Maker

Sarah Ruth Frey

Best Bed and Breakfast Meadowbrook Park Inn

Best Local Women’s Boutique Retro Vixen

Best Pop-Up Shop

Sarah Ruth Frey

Best Local Men’s Boutique Halls Kansas City

Best Kitchen Store Pryde’s

Best Local Baby Boutique Lauren Alexandra

Best Craft Studio

Sarah Ruth Frey

Best Gift Shop Read and Rooted

Best Florist Fiddly Fig

Best Butcher Shop Fareway Meat Market

Best Hardware Store Ace Hardware

Best Jewelry Store Meierotto Jewelers

Best Plant Store Family Tree Nursery

Best Car Wash Waterway

Best Antique/ Vintage Store River Market Antiques

Best Local Shoe Store Nigro’s Western Store & The Foot Spot

Best Makers Market Overland Park Farmer’s Market

Editor’s Pick Best Cobbler

OVERLAND PARK SHOE REPAIR 7522 W. 80TH ST., OVERLAND PARK

In the era of throwaway culture, old-school craftsmanship can feel increasingly rare. That’s what makes Overland Park Shoe Repair a gem. Whether you need a few quick stitches or a full resole, owner Henry Barbosa is a straight-tothe-point cobbler who’s honest about what can (and can’t) be restored. He brought my prized vintage Doc Martens back to its glory within a week—and at a reasonable rate. Beyond footwear, this shop also restores most leather goods like handbags, jackets, belts and more. - NC

Best Local Maker Sarah Ruth Frey

READER’S CHOICE HOME

Best Kitchen Remodeling Shamrock Cabinet

Best Pest Control DreamLawn

Best Home Security Company Turn Key Solutions

Best Mortgage Company CrossCountry Mortgage

Best Home Remodeling Company Brasstacks

Best Appliance Store Alexander and Ray’s

Best Real Estate Team GRID at Compass

Best Custom Closet Company Shamrock Cabinets

Best Lawn Maintenance Company DreamLawn

Best Custom Countertops Company Rocktops

Best Moving Company You Move Me

Best Electrician/Company Current Solutions Electric

Best Landscaper Next to Nature

Best Bath Remodeling Brasstacks

Best Apartment Complex The Royale at City Place

Best Solar Company Cromwell Solar

Best Plumber/Company Mr. Rooter

Best Realty Company Reece Nichols

Best Interior Designer Shelly Roeser

Best House Detailing Shack Shine

Best Custom Pool Company Next to Nature

Best Senior Living Facility Meadowbrook

Best Custom Home Builder Roeser Homes

Best Roofing Company

True Grit Roofing Company

Best Basement

Waterproofing Company

EMS

Best Furniture Store

Nebraska Furniture Mart

Best Heating and Air Conditioning

Integrity Heating and Air

Best Home Inspection Company

Barnett Home Inspections

Best Real Estate Agent Becca HagemanCompass Real Estate

Best Window Washing Company

Edwards Gutter Cleaning and Power Wash

READER’S CHOICE PETS

Best Pet Groomer Grooming Barn by Ashley

Best Dog Park

Shawnee Mission

Dog Park

Best ER for Pets Blue Pearl

Best Dog Trainer/School Must Love Dogs KC

Best Local Pet Shop Land Of Paws

Best Doggie Day Care Woof’s

Best Overnight Kennel Woof’s

Best Pet Patio

Chicken N Pickle

Best Veterinary Practice

Family Pet Hospital of Shawnee

Best Dog Treats

Kansas City Dog Treats Co.

FROLIC Arts, Culture & Family Fun

Editor’s Pick

Best Use of Your Tax Dollars

THE JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY MAKERSPACE 9875 W. 87TH ST., OVERLAND PARK

The MakerSpace area of the Johnson Country Library is stocked with 3D printers, sewing machines, letterpresses, laser cutters and more, all free to use with a library card, thanks to taxpayers. Whether you’re a hobbyist or just want to try a 3D printer without committing to a $500 machine, this is for you. And don’t let the techy equipment intimidate you; staff are on hand to help you out. jocolibrary.org/makerspace. - NK

READER’S CHOICE ARTS AND CULTURE

Best Jazz Act

Eboni Fondren

Best Musician Ramona Clay

Best Movie Theater Screenland Armour

Best Local Actress (Live Theater)

Brandis Outlaw

Best Local Actor Ernie Nolan

Best Tribute/Cover Band Post Clarity

Best Music Festival KC Irish fest

Best Country Music Venue Knuckleheads

Best Art Instruction

Sarah Ruth Frey

Best Bookstore Monstera’s Books

Best Place to See Local Music Knuckleheads

Best Live Theater Venue Kauffman Center

Best Music Venue RecordBar

Best Weekend

Getaway Spot

Eureka Springs

Best Arts Festival

Plaza Art Fair

Best Vocalist

Talya Groves

Best Jam Night Knuckleheads

Best Art Gallery Nelson-Atkins

Best Cultural Event

KC Pride

Best Comedy Club Comedy Club of Kansas City

Best Local Author Michael Mackie

Best Cooking Classes Culinary Center of Kansas City

Best Club DJ Smoov (Hot Mics Entertainment)

Best Live Theater Production Kansas City

Best Jazz and Blues Club Green Lady Lounge

Editor’s Pick

Best Light-Up Porta-Potty

GREENWOOD COUNTRY TEA ROOM 502 W. MAIN ST., GREENWOOD

In 2017, a porta-potty was abandoned at a construction site at the corner of Blackwell/ Blue Parkway and 50 Highway in Lee’s Summit, and it never left. Every holiday season, Troy Jackson and his family deck out the facility with lights and decorations, and it has become affectionately known as the Magic Potty. Thousands of visitors drop by every winter, leaving donations benefiting Coldwater of Lee’s Summit, a local nonprofit serving families in need. To date, the Magic Potty has collected over 10,000 pounds of food. Not bad for a porta-potty that wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place. magicpotty.org. - NK

Best Bookstore Monstera's Books

KANSAS CITY’S BEST NEW BAR & BEST DATE BAR

Located in the Crossroads Arts District near the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Mineral Lounge is recognized as this year’s Best of KC winner for both Best New Bar and Best Date Bar. Mineral has quickly become a favorite stop before or after the ballet, symphony, concerts, and downtown shows.

Inspired by Mediterranean hospitality, Mineral blends lounge culture with an elevated approach to wine, cocktails, and late-night dining. Guests can settle into velvet seating with a glass of Champagne, share thoughtfully prepared small plates with friends, or ease into the evening over cocktails and conversation.

The beverage program features a curated wine list, classic spirits, and cocktails designed to feel elegant without being overly serious. The food menu complements the experience with Mediterranean-inspired small bites meant for sharing and lingering at the table. Whether it’s the beginning of the night or the final stop before heading home, Mineral Lounge continues to establish itself as one of Kansas City’s standout new spaces.

Editor’s Pick Best Place To Get in a Wreck (There are a Few)

Ask folks in Kansas City about the worst intersection in town and you’ll get plenty of answers. We know, because we asked you. Some said the intersection of Roanoke and Ward Parkway is worst. A few said the on-ramp to US-71 from The Paseo. Meyer Circle got mentions, and many brought up the notorious tangle where Van Brunt, East 31st Street, Cleaver Boulevard, Hardesty, North Stadium Drive, 40 Highway and Linwood all (try to) come together.

On the Kansas side, the 67th Street and Frontage Road intersection under I-35 got a few nods, as did the I-435 exit to Metcalf. Readers might be surprised to find that the city’s most statistically dangerous intersection is where I-435 and I-70 meet near Arrowhead.

But for popularity, or rather unpopularity, there’s a clear-cut winner—or, rather, loser. Nothing beats the famous mess in Westport where Belleview, Madison, 43rd Street, Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway all surround a useless three-sided polygon of grass. Call it the Terrible Triangle or Triangle of Terror. It’s chaotic enough in daylight, but add in nighttime Westport revelers, so often imbibing and driving, and it’s the intersection that all of Kansas City loves to hate. - HS

READER’S CHOICE FAMILY FUN

Best Daycare

Hillcrest Christian

Early Learning Center

Best Library

KC Central Library

Best Public Park

Meadowbrook

Best Travel Agent

Sara Harms - Sara Sent Me

Best Family Fun Center

Rabbit Hole

Best Preschool

Hillcrest Christian

Early Learning Center

Best Water Park

Oceans of Fun

Best Museum

Nelson-Atkins

Best Public School

Broken Arrow Elementary

Best Instagram Location Creekside - Parkville

Best Public Swimming Pool

Splash Cove

Best Toy Store

Brookside Toy and Science

Best Private School Plaza Heights Christian Academy

Best Summer Camp

KC Zoo

Best Arcade Up-Down

Best Haunted House Exiled K

Best Christmas Attraction Plaza Lights

Editor’s Pick Best Photobooth

Not sure what your Pinterest feed looks like, but mine has been flooded with photobooth strips transformed into framed art pieces. In my opinion, arcade bar Up-Down KC has one of the most elegant photobooths in the city, with a clean design that lets the photos shine instead of losing space to oversized branding. If I were recreating my original inspo, I’d place it in a monochrome frame with an oversized mat from a local shop like State of the Art. - MM

Editor’s Pick Best Traditional Hand-Painted Signs

MIKE TRUJILLO @MIKETRUJILLO_SIGNS_MURALS

There’s something so stylish about the swooping serifs and gold leaf of old-fashioned hand-painted signs, in the opinion of this editor. And lucky for any Kansas Citian who might desire one of these vintage treasures, you don’t have to continuously scour antique shops hoping to find one. Artist Mike Trujillo not only still practices this traditional painting method but has perfected it. While you might not have an oversized shop window to display his work, like No Vacancy and Le Lounge do, Trujillo takes commissions. Pick your message, find a thrifted vintage mirror for him to work on and then hang it in your home to the envy of all your guests. - MM

WELL-BEING

Beauty, Health & Wellness

READER’S CHOICE HEALTH & WELLNESS

Best Running Event Rock the Parkway

Best Crossfit Gym

Rare Breed Athletics

Best Urgent Care

KU Med

Best Counselor

Megan Sleeper

Best Personal Trainer

Shelby Stanton

Best Gym

EPOC KC

Best Semi-Glutide/ Weight Loss Clinic Refresh Medical Spa

Best Chiropractor F.I.T. Muscle and Joint Clinic

Best Sports Store/Outfitter Scheels

Best Concierge Doctor

Gay Purcell - Enhanced Health and Wellness

Best Family Medicine Practice

AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care

Best Fitness Class

EPOC KC

Best Massage Therapist

Josie GrimesPaume de Lumiere

Best Soaking Pool/ Float Tank Floating KC

Best Bike Shop Bike Stop Lees Summit

Best Dentist Prairie Village Dentists

Best Premade Meals Kitch

Best Pilates Studio Notion Lagree

Best Cycling Studio Revive Indoor Cycling and Strength Training

Best CBD Store Green Light

Best Climbing Gym ROKC

Best Acupuncturist LUX Wellness

Best Pediatric Dentist LeBlanc and Associates Dentistry for Children

Best Physical Therapist

Monica Goodman

Best Premarital Counselor Kieri OlmsteadSimple Empathy

Best Place for Pickleball Chicken N Pickle

Best Naturopath Josie Grimes

Best Wellness Center Physicians Aesthetics Specialists

Best Yoga Studio Darling Yoga

Best Orthodontist Walburn Orthodontics

Best Marriage and Family Therapist Kieri Olmstead

Best Family Medicine Practice AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care

READER’S CHOICE BEAUTY

Best Nail Salon

Vibe Nail Studio

Best Hair Color Services

Alica Peters

The Mane Muse Salon

Best Tattoo Parlor

Bleeding Heart Tattoo

Best Makeup Studio

The Glam Room Salon

Med Spa and Beauty Bar

Best Injector

Emma Pierce

Associated Plastic Surgeons and Med Spa

Best Hair Removal Salon

Refresh Medical Spa

Best Eyebrow Waxing

Skylar WoodsSkyEsthetics

A LOOK INSIDE THE PHILOSOPHY OF BEST OF KC’S WINNING CHEF

As this year’s Best of KC winner for Best New Restaurant, Akoya Omakase has quietly established itself as one of the metro’s most refined culinary experiences, led by chef Peter Hoang, also this year’s BOKC winner for Best Chef. Born and raised in Kansas City, Chef Peter’s culinary journey took him through some of the country’s most respected dining scenes, before returning home to open Akoya.

Best Hair Stylist

Landon Meerkatz

Best Lash Services

The Glam Room Salon

Med Spa and Beauty Bar

Best Esthetician

Callie Baird - Refresh Medical Spa

Best Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Sheryl Young

Best Barbershop

Ace of Fades

Best Spa Woodhouse

Best Microblading

The Glam Room Salon

Med Spa and Beauty Bar

Best Tanning Salon Recreating Rays

Best Cosmetic Dentist

Brookside Cosmetic and Family Dental

Best Hair Salon

Lady Rae Hair

Best Med Spa

Associated Plastic Surgeons and Med Spa

Best Hair Extensions

Specialist

Raegan Abel

Best HydraFacial

Associated Plastic Surgeons and Med Spa

He approaches omakase with a deep respect for traditional Japanese technique and an unwavering focus on ingredient integrity. Seafood is flown in several times each week and prepared with intention at every stage. He focuses on enhancing the natural characteristics of each ingredient. For Chef Peter, omakase is about more than sushi. It is about creating a meaningful connection between chef and guest. At the chef’s counter, diners experience that philosophy firsthand, watching each course come together in real time while interacting directly with the culinary team. That philosophy has resonated across Kansas City’s dining community, earning Akoya multi-award-winning recognition in Kansas City magazine’s Best of KC 2026, also including Best Sushi and Best Seafood.

Best of KC Winning Chef, Peter Hoang

GAME

GAME ON

The matches may last 90 minutes, but the World Cup experience will stretch across the entire metro for weeks.

KKANSAS CITY HAS HOSTED CHAMPIONSHIPS , parades and sold-out stadium concerts, but the FIFA World Cup is a global spectacle that will transform the city and place it before an audience of millions.

From transportation logistics and security planning to hotel booms, watch parties, local food scenes and fan festivals, the metro is ready.

KC’S MEDICAL PLAYBOOK FOR A HOT, WET, HIGH-ENERGY WORLD CUP

NOTHING TO SEE HERE. That’s the goal of the medical team at the 2026 World Cup. No single emergency is too big to handle. Seamless teamwork. Prepared for anything and everything. That’s the plan.

Anytime thousands of fans pack into a stadium the size of Arrowhead for what promises to be a hot and rainy summer sporting event like a soccer match, it presents a triple whammy of exhausted, uncomfortable and emotionally charged fans crammed together.

In other words, it’s a powder keg of potential health and wellness problems. Serious fan injuries at soccer matches are rare. According to a recent report by the U.K.’s Sports Grounds Safety Authority, most fan accidents are from slips, trips and falls, with cuts, lacerations, bruising and sprains the most common types of injury. Most fan injuries take place during the match, with alcohol as a major contributing factor.

Among the chief concerns for the KC World Cup is the weather. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts June and July this year will be significantly hotter—and wetter—than last summer. The University of Kansas Health System has been the on-site medical team for the Chiefs for the past 15 years and will be in charge of the 2026 World Cup medical needs as well. Dr. Bryan Beaver, who is part of that on-site team and specializes in emergency medicine and disaster medicine, says heat mitigation has been a big part of their strategy, “in particular for some of those coming from countries that aren't used to experiencing the heat that we have,” he says. “If they do overheat, we have actually been pioneers in some of our strategies for treating heat stroke and heat illness in and out of hospital settings.”

For the World Cup tournament, there will be first aid stations outside of the stadium, roving paramedics and nurses inside at every level, and ambulances on site. Additional details of the KU medical plan were not made public because of security concerns.

Beaver and his team have been working on the tournament plan for more than a year and a half, he says, and are expecting a 6% to 8% increase in healthcare utilization for this large multi-day event. “We’ve made some adaptations to meet the needs of FIFA and the tournament, but otherwise it will be business as usual for us taking care of anybody that needs it,” Beaver says.“When we are facing events like these, we see what Kansas City is really good at, and its strengths really shine—the biggest of those being the collaboration that we have with all of the health-care entities, from the hospitals and health systems to the public health agencies, the EMS agencies and fire departments.”

Readiness can be put into two categories, Beaver says. First, “we have to be prepared to take care of all of our visitors that we're expecting to come to Kansas City during this time period,” he says. “The second category is we also need to make sure that we continue to provide the excellent care that we do for all of our residents who live here every day, whether they're partaking in World Cup festivities or not. So we have a strong focus to make sure that we can meet both of those needs.”

During a match day at the tournament, Beaver expects an “ebb and flow” of ER activities. “Oftentimes, there's a little bit of a slowdown during the match, and then things may ramp up again after the match,” Beaver says. “In the two days before a match, the match day and the day after that, our health-care systems will be a little bit busier than what they are on a normal day. While we're planning to take care of all the routine things, we always have to keep in the back of our mind a major incident. There's always the risk we could have an unexpected event, whether it’s from the weather or man-made. So we have to be prepared as well for all of the unexpected scenarios.”

Beaver’s advice: Stay hydrated, dress appropriately, and be sure to wash your hands to prevent infection that could become a problem with so many international travelers coming to town.

“The University of Kansas Health System has been the on-site medical team for the Chiefs for the past 15 years and will be in charge of the 2026 World Cup medical needs as well.”

"Two fan-focused World Cup party zones— KC House and FIFA Fan Fest—have been created by a global brand and are being called ‘Kansas City’s front porch to the world.’”

THE FRONT PORCH

How KC House and Fan Fest aim to show the world Kansas City hospitality

TTWO FAN-FOCUSED WORLD CUP PARTY ZONES—,

KC House and FIFA Fan Fest—have been created by Populus, a global architecture and design firm based in Kansas City. The experiences have been coined as “Kansas City’s front porch to the world.”

KC House, in the former Swanson’s/Forever 21 building on the Plaza (111 Nichols Road, KCMO), has been under development since early April with plans to open by June 11. It will be an invitation-only spot, operating as the primary hospitality venue for global leaders, civic stakeholders and business partners. It will feature a rooftop outdoor space with jazz and acoustic performances.

Fan Fest is a free event with space for 25,000 people on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Running from June 11 through July 11, the massive World Cup experience will have themed weekly programming, offering live match screenings and musical acts like Tech N9ne and The Chainsmokers. There will be a 65-foot-tall KC Heart symbol archway, a 45-foot-by-25-foot main video board (plus additional screens), two stages and local food vendors.

“Each one of these programming events at the Fan Fest is just a moment in time,” says Bobby Sloan, a principal and senior event manager for Populous. “That's what stays with everybody long after the event is over. It can stick with people for a lifetime, whether it's a father-son moment or a family moment or you're just hanging out with your buddies. In five years or 10 years, long after the Fan Fest is gone, those memories stay with people.”

From the beginning of their design work in August 2024, Sloan says Populous wanted to make sure that Kansas City was properly represented. “When we started to design in earnest, we started off with the positioning session,” he says. “One of the key themes was how to get all that Kansas City ease and comfort and hospitality to come to life through Fan Fest.”

Fan Fest isn’t just for soccer fans. “It’s also for somebody that wants to come out, be in the community and experience the energy of the World Cup,” Sloan says. “The design is about how we look at the tournament holistically, across the vertical and horizontal nature of fandom.”

Sloan says the design is meant to be “kind of fun and playful,” and that shows through. People talk about Instagram moments, and selfie moments, and designers sometimes purposely design with that in mind, Sloan says.

“Instagramable moments’ is kind of a buzz word, but I wouldn't say we necessarily curate anything with just that in mind,” he says. “If we do it right, and plan it out correctly, those moments come to life in multiple areas. The heart archway is going to be the main one as people enter into the site. But there'll also be other nuggets around the site.”

What does Sloan want people to think of Fan Fest? “I think when people start using words like special, memorable, amazing, awesome, ‘wow, how did they do this?’—those are the things that start to give me goosebumps,” he says.

THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE PARTY

Meet the connected coalition orchestrating Kansas City’s biggest sports spectacle ever

AA GROUP OF QUIET POWER PLAYER, known as KC2026 have been working behind the scenes to make the World Cup happen since 2023.

Some of you might have come across members of the KC2026 team, the official nonprofit organization responsible for delivering the entire host-city experience, as they plan, construct and implement all aspects of the metro’s largest sports and fan experience in its history. Simply put, KC2026 functions as the operational delivery organization for the World Cup, with the city as a partner and funder.

The KC2026 board of directors has been leading fundraising efforts and engaging with various stakeholders, including government entities, community organizations, sponsors and volunteers.

Its roster reads like a who’s who of Kansas Citians. To name just a few: Mayra Aguirre, president of the Hall Family Foundation; Angie Long, the co-owner of the Kansas City Current; Jake Reid, president and CEO of Sporting KC; Joe Reardon, the president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; John Rizzo, executive director of the Jackson County Sports Complex.

One of the many notable KC2026 rockstars is Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Nelson brought the 2023 NFL Draft to the city and is a 2020 inductee to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

The organization represents an all-hands-on-deck moment for the city and is promising smooth and transparent player and fan functions throughout the tournament.

“When we learned that we got to host the World Cup in Kansas City, we knew that we really needed to do this as a region,” says Lindsey Douglas, COO of KC2026. “We knew that the tournament was going to be a catalyst for our community.”

Douglas says the board set out three primary driving factors: Deliver Kansas City magic, rise on the world stage, and have a lasting legacy for the community. “We do want to do everything through that vision and do everything as a region, so that everybody's benefiting and we're showcasing everything that our community has to offer,” she says.

During the matches, Douglas will be working in a joint operations center overseeing much of operations, from transportation to safety and security to communications. “I think there will be some critical operations obviously occurring at the stadium that I'm likely to be involved in on some of the match days, but then also at Fan Fest, the pedestrian movements and the operation around Fan Fest,” Douglas says. “Just keeping an eye on things to make sure that we have that fluidity and that people are having the experience that we intend. I'll probably be bouncing around quite a bit during the tournament, checking on those different locations.”

LOCAL ARTISANS PUTTING THEIR TOUCH ON THE WORLD CUP

FFROM POSTERS, T-shirts and street murals to sculptures, yard art and stickers to, well, a ton of cool stuff, Kansas City artists have turned the world’s biggest sporting event into a citywide canvas for creative endeavors.

A few artistic highlights:

■ Local artist Jadie Arnett’s illustration was selected as the official FIFA host city promotional poster. Her artwork is being used on FIFA merchandise and signage across the metro.

■ Both Clay County and Platte County held K-12 youth T-shirt design contests. The winning designs will be distributed and sold throughout the county at watch parties. Park University announced that the winning Clay County student, should they decide to attend the college, will be provided a scholarship covering up to half of their tuition for four years.

■ Clay County also made a region-wide call for artists to create a design for a 20-foot inflatable soccer ball that will be at every watch party, says Megan Sahlfeld, tourism and marketing manager for Clay County.

“It is going to be kind of our beacon in the Northland at each of these parties,” Sahlfeld says.

■ The Parade of Hearts art installation project began in 2022 with a five-foot-by-five-foot white fiberglass heart sculpture that artists personalized with any sort of design or message. This year’s heart sculpture is different—a little larger, shaped like a ball, with a heart shape cut out of the center. “We wanted to do something different and we thought, ‘why not let it be at least inspired by the event that's happening in the summer?’” Tucker Trotter, CEO of Dimensional Innovations, says. His company coordinates the design and fabrication of the hearts. “A lot of the artists picked up on that connection (the ball representing a soccer ball), but we made sure that the artists understood that they couldn't use FIFA logos and things that are licensed.”

■ Phil Shafer, owner and lead designer of mural creation company Sike Style Industries, has been working with Sporting KC, the Royals and the Chiefs for years and is now doing non-FIFA-branded work for World Cup events. Shafer did a custom design on the grass—a “ground mural”—for the FIFA Fan Fest reveal at the World War I Museum. “That was kind of like the kickoff,” Shafer says. “We’re into transforming spaces. We're creating the experience of reinforcing a brand. We’re really excited to focus on some community murals that are going to be there to invite fans to engage with and to feel welcome. But they're going to live beyond that. We need to really exemplify what makes Kansas City a great host city and show off our own story, culture and artwork. Two of the major murals that we're doing are like that. Those and other murals will all be in the KC area from 20th street all the way down to the river. They're going to be very, very visible, which is fun.”

THE WHOLE METRO IS A WATCH PARTY

From riverfront rallies to suburban block parties, KC is turning every corner into a celebration

EEVERYBODY KNOWS BY NOW that the Power and Light District is a perennial all-star when it comes to watching big sporting events. Of course the World Cup will be shown there.

And nearly every soccer fan knows about the official FIFA Fan Fest, an 18-day tournament celebration and watch party against the backdrop of the World War I Museum and Memorial. See you there.

But wait a minute—watch party celebrations are literally everywhere around the metro area on both sides of the state line.

The Berkley Riverfront gets in on the action with watch parties planned at The Current Landing, now with access via the just-opened streetcar extension.

On the other side of the river are seven northland community watch parties. Some will be hosted at local high schools and parks while others will be held in sporting complexes or shopping districts, such as Zona Rosa. For more information visit, gonorthkc.com.

Out west, Sporting KC is hosting a series of watch parties at Sporting Park in Legends. They also have a network of watch party pubs throughout the metro at places such as The Other Place in Olathe, The Brooksider in Brookside, Dos Lokos Sports Cantina in Westport, Meat Mitch in Leawood and Chicken N Pickle locations. Check out sportingkc.com for more information.

Over east, downtown Lee’s Summit will have watch parties as part of its Futbol Fridays summer series of activities. For more information, visit lsgoal26.org.

More? Sure.

There is a free watch party in Shawnee Mission Park, where the theater will have a 20-foot-by-30-foot LED screen, live entertainment, and food trucks and vendors for every match. The Prairie Village Shopping Center is having a series of pre-match celebrations.

Then there is the city of Lenexa seemingly pulling out all the stops for three watch parties organizers have been planning for nearly two years in the 200-acre downtown city center area.

The watch parties are part of Pitch Lenexa, an initiative organized by a coalition of eight Lenexa-based companies. “We want to leverage the World Cup opportunity for people who are going to be traveling into Kansas City to showcase what Lenexa has to offer and make those connections for longer than just the World Cup but for years to come,” says Mike Nolan, Lenexa assistant city manager. “It’s important for us to capitalize on the World Cup.”

The Lenexa watch parties will include kid and adult activity zones, including a human foosball event, Nolan says. “It's a giant inflatable where everybody stands like a soccer player who gets to kick a soccer ball in between each other to score goals. We're also hoping to engage some local soccer clubs to provide some surprise-and-delight type stuff.”

Every watch party venue around the metro promises the same formula: giant screens, food and drinks, entertainment and the kind of soccer excitement that turns strangers into teammates for 90 minutes. For any watch parties, there are strict FIFA rules to follow about signage and merchandise.

“With us being in the Midwest, being nice to everybody and being uniquely Kansas City, we want to create an experience where everybody can feel like they are sharing in the moment,” Nolan says. “That is what everybody else on all sides of the metro are doing. We are all just creating a space for people to gather. We're really lacking that nationally right now, and I think that the World Cup can be helpful in bringing people, especially Americans, to not only do good in this World Cup but to have that sense of shared camaraderie.”

"With us being in the Midwest, being nice to everybody, and being uniquely Kansas City, we want to create an experience where everybody can feel like they are sharing in the moment”

- Mike Nolan, Lenexa assistant city manager

The Chicken-n-Beer Combo Lands at Vine Street

By Tyler Shane

FRIED CHICKEN AND BEER is a pairing as classic as tacos with margaritas or steak with red wine. It’s a combination of historical and cultural significance (let’s all bow our heads in remembrance of Ludacris’ hit 2003 album Chicken-n-Beer, which helped cement the culinary duo’s place in the zeitgeist), and now, you can find at it Vine Street Chicken Co.

The chicken joint opened in February inside the popular Vine Street Brewing Co. Chef Justin Clark (also behind the restaurant Urban) partnered with brewery owner Kemet Coleman to deliver his well-seasoned flavors in fried chicken baskets (available as mixed or dark meat), tenders, mac and cheese, fried okra and funnel cake fries.

When you head into the brewery, turn right and place your order at a kiosk. Your chicken order will land juicy with a crisp crust that’s not too greasy thanks to the tallow fry. You can get it tossed with a dry “Urban” rub, which is a reliable choice, but the lemon pepper is the one to beat.

Vine Street Brewing Co. is where beer, chicken and hip-hop are given a space to thrive under one roof (Vine Street threw KC’s first hip-hop beer festival in 2024). As for pairings, Coleman suggests the Paper Bag Thin, a mexican lager, or East 71, a sparkling ale.

It’s at

It’s Complicated at Crossroads Cantina

NOT QUITE a corporate conglomerate and certainly not mom-and-pop, the restaurant group model has been tightening its grip on Kansas City dining. You see this when you read about another Third Street Social opening (the newest one in Olathe makes that four total across the metro) or another local establishment being swept up in the arm of the W. VinZant restaurant group, which acquired Cafe Trio, Heritage by Bo Lings and Waldo Pizza over the past couple of years. No doubt it’s efficient, scalable and becoming increasingly the norm, but the opening of each polished new restaurant raises a question: What gets lost when restaurants are built to succeed on paper first?

The Rockhill Restaurant Group has taken a seemingly slow and intentional approach, having opened its flagship restaurant, The Rockhill Grille, in 2016, The Wise Guy eight years later and, in December of last year, Crossroads Cantina. The Rockhill Grille has marked its spot in KC as a pretty solid, somewhat upscale American fare restaurant while The Wise Guy offers the Italian-American red-sauced comforts

A beautiful new “Mexican joint” highlights both the strengths and shortcomings of Kansas City’s growing restaurant group model

By Tyler Shane Photography by Zach Bauman

of pizza, pasta and, let’s face it, an oddly overwhelming amount of TVs. Crossroads Cantina advertises itself as a “Mexican joint” via a painted sign on the restaurant’s west exterior.

The mint-green building will catch your eye from the outside and the inside. Formerly home to a telecommunications company, the building has been nicely reworked. Eucalyptus and blushy pink colors wash the walls. There’s a tile-lined bar, flickering tabletop flames and, on the west side of the building, a pretty stellar dining room that can turn into a patio with a retractable roof when weather permits. With a happy hour menu and the opportunity to come in for lunch, it’s clear the restaurant is positioning itself, as many do these days, as both a classic date night and a place to pop in for a casual bite. A $59 ribeye from the woodfire grill, fueled by pecan wood, is a choice, but so is a nice big platter of nachos that will feed the table. Overall, the menu is based in the Mexican familiars of fajitas, enchiladas and margaritas with classic Mexican

ingredients like cotija and Tajín worked throughout many of the dishes. You know the deal.

As it stands now, there’s a disconnect. With all its sophistication, the atmosphere sits in contrast to the food, which feels restrained and overly reliant on low-lift dishes.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the hits, and national food conversations have finally moved past the idea that “authenticity” is some rigid box to check. Not every restaurant needs to reinvent the wheel, and not every diner is looking for a chef-driven meditation on the process of nixtamalization or al pastor. But familiars still require execution, and it’s there that Crossroads Cantina is currently lacking.

Drinks are an easy place to start. Margaritas dominate, as they should. There’s a nicely balanced mezcal variation with strawberry while another, frothed with egg white and agave, is tart and smooth. The house margarita does its job without much fuss. The much-recommended seasonal coconut version has become such a hit that Crossroads Cantina is adding it as a regular on the menu. Beyond margs, La Granadilla, brightened with prosecco and passion fruit, is a highlight.

After you arrive at your table, you’ll be greeted with a complimentary bowl of chips and garlicky house-made salsa. Other dips include a green chile queso and slightly creamy Tajín-dusted sweet corn. Among the appetizers, the birria taquitos are a welcome variation in a world that is constantly trying to work the stewy taco into everything (which I’m not complaining about). The taquitos offer a nice crisp contrast to the sopping, cheesy birria, and it’s a dish that feels considered.

On paper, the elote deviled eggs with grilled corn relish, pickled jalapeños, cotija and Tajín are hard to have an issue with. The filling is nice, but the egg whites themselves land with an oddly rubbery bite that’s it’s hard to ignore. The Catina’s egg whites echo the same texture I encountered at The Wise Guy’s more than two years ago. Whether it’s a matter of prep or holding time, it’s a rare case where consistency isn’t working in the restaurant’s favor.

Seafood, in particular, also seems to struggle to find its footing. Tuna tostadas are overwhelmed by guacamole, burying any clean, briny flavor the fish might offer. A redfish entree arrived dry, even when topped with the smoky, nutty glory of salsa macha, while shrimp, tucked into enchiladas, somehow managed to register as nearly flavorless. The restaurant says the redfish will soon come off the menu as part of a broader refinement of dishes already underway. Fajitas come piled over zucchini that reads more as filler than enhancement, despite the restaurant’s intention to make the dish feel more vegetable-forward and elevated. I’d recommend ordering it with the hanger steak, not chicken. Tacos, whether filled with steak or portobello mushroom, pass without leaving much of an impression.

On more than one occasion, as my entree sat in front of me, I kept reaching for the more consistently satisfying chips and dip.

The uncomfortable truth is not that Crossroads Cantina’s menu lacks originality; it’s that it feels like it was opened by a restaurant group, as if it were sort of reverse-engineered for reliability: Give people a great space, pour some tequila, and let familiarity do the rest. But Mexican cuisine, for all its comfort, isn’t a guaranteed win.

The other problem Crossroads Cantina runs up against is that Kansas City isn’t lacking excellent Mexican food. Far from it. Across the metro, you can find tacos, birria, tortillas, pozole and more worthy of national acclaim tucked into an otherwise forgotten strip mall or slung from food trucks. In KCK, stretches of State, Central and

Kansas avenues pack in these Mexican joints and taquerias block after block. Even on the outskirts, Burritos To Go turns out some crazy-good red pork burritos, and A & J Molcajete, a real hole-in-the-wall, serves some of the best cactus tacos in the city. Even spots like Tiki Taco have their own niche with the option to pile curly fries into most of their fast-casual plates. On the fine dining side of things, T’ähä earnestly serves the flavors of Hildalgo, Mexico, where owner Jose Gomez and his father have roots. Mexican food can be presented in many ways, so this isn’t about a need for innovation, dishes with “twists” or advanced techniques. These places succeed because they feel specific and intentional. They know their lane, commit to it fully and offer something that feels distinctly their own—and often at a price point that makes an average $6 taco elsewhere feel like a stretch.

The restaurant group model doesn’t inherently lack creativity or a commitment to the food, and even your favorite chef has to learn to successfully navigate the business side of things. Shared resources, centralized operations and wholesale discounts make it easier to expand while reducing risk, and this is an infrastructure independent restaurants simply don’t have. All this efficiency, however, can blur identity, and the result is a restaurant that looks the part and plays the part but doesn’t quite inhabit it.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a path forward. The bones are there. Crossroads Cantina has a prime location, a beautiful space, very friendly and well-trained staff, and a menu that could, with sharper execution, meet the expectations it sets. The restaurant says additional menu refinements are already underway, and an upcoming courtyard space with its own lighter food and drink menu may further shape the restaurant’s identity heading into warmer months. It’s clear Crossroads Cantina has set the scene for a good time. Now it needs food memorable enough to carry it. crossroadscantinakc.com

On more than one occasion, as my entree sat in front of me, I kept reaching for the more consistently satisfying chips and dip.

TOP DOCS ANNOUNCED in August

When choosing a healthcare provider, choose from Kansas City’s Top Docs. The 2026 list of providers in every medical specialty is coming soon to the August issue.

AROUND WINE.

Kansas City Magazine recognized Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen with multiple Best of KC honors this year, including Best Mixologist Brooke Silvey, Best Wine Expert Barry Tunnell, Best Happy Hour, and Best Downtown KC MO Bar. These recognitions are especially meaningful because they celebrate not only the space itself, but the people behind it.

Wine Director Barry Tunnell has helped shape one of Kansas City’s most respected wine programs through decades of experience.

Whether guiding guests toward an iconic producer or introducing them to something entirely unexpected, Tunnell will never steer guests wrong.

Behind the bar, Silvey brings the same level of passion and care to the cocktail program. Her knowledge of both wine and spirits, combined with a hospitalityfirst approach, has made her one of the most respected figures in Kansas City’s beverage community.

Whether guests are joining for a casual glass after work, exploring a rare Burgundy flight, or gathering for one of Tannin’s wine dinners and tasting events, the goal is to create a place that feels knowledgeable without pretension and elevated without losing warmth.

SHOW OFF YOUR BIG WIN

It’s Electric

This bright, botanical cocktail from Chartreuse Saloon is a spicy twist on a class gimlet

By Nina Cherry

I LOVE A POLISHED COCKTAIL BAR AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON , but after a long day, I’m usually in the mood for something a bit more low-key—somewhere I can play a round of darts but still sip a well-made drink. In the East Crossroads, Chartreuse Saloon (1627 Oak St., KCMO) strikes that balance perfectly.

A permanent fixture on the menu, the Chandelier—a spicy, playful twist on a classic gimlet—is a standout. Sharp, botanical and a little sweet, this cocktail is made with Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, a spirit that leans less on piney juniper and more on refreshing notes like cucumber and Meyer lemon. Although gimlets are traditionally served up and in a coupe glass, Chartreuse Saloon serves the gin beverage on the rocks and in a mason jar.

What sets the drink apart is its electric dust rim, a vibrant blue garnish made of szechuan peppercorn. “If you let it sit in your mouth for 15 seconds or so, it makes your tongue tingle and has a slight Pop Rocks feel,” owner Jill Cockson says.

Cockson is also the force behind popular speakeasy Swordfish Tom’s and has consulted for a number of other upscale establishments across the region. “[Chartreuse Saloon] is the outlier, but my roots are more in dive bars,” she says.

Although Chartreuse Saloon is surely a step above a true dive, Cockson had long envisioned opening a more casual gathering space. Five years ago, she brought that dream to life.

Alongside craft cocktails and beers, the bar serves a concise food menu of customizable hot dogs and nachos. As the name suggests, the space is painted a vibrant green hue, and Western decor like cow skulls and black-and-white photos depicting prairie life line the walls. But what keeps many regulars coming back are the games. Darts, billiards, checkers and more are all free to play for customers—and Cockson claims the pool tables are some of the best in the city. chartreusesaloon.com.

Erin McDowell Will Hold Your Hand as You Bake

With her new cookbook, Bake Anything, arriving this fall, the famed superstar baker continues her mission to make baking less intimidating and more creative

By Tyler Shane

AS I INTERVIEW Erin McDowell, asking about her favorite cooking tools and local grocery stores, her third cookbook, The Book on Pie, sits open in front of me. It became something of a bible in my kitchen during the holiday season. The Kansas City-based baker is releasing her fourth cookbook, Bake Anything, later this year, and I’ve already placed my preorder. You could say I’m a fan.

McDowell has become one of the most influential baking educators working today, carving out a name for herself through food media as the former resident baker at Food52 and a columnist for NYT Cooking. You may recognize her as a baking coach on the Netflix series The Big Nailed It! Baking Challenge or from one of her popular YouTube series, including Food52’s Bake It Up a Notch and her current channel, Happy Baking. In her videos, McDowell breaks down the fundamentals of baking, showing viewers that patisserie-level croissants at home are actually possible, what overmixing looks like and how to troubleshoot it, or how to make smallbatch scones and apple galettes. Throughout her videos, she’s instantly recognizable by her colorful head scarves and her West Highland White Terrier sidekick, Brimly.

It’s hardly an exaggeration to call McDowell the baking world’s answer to Julia Child. Much of her devoted following (more than 350,000 Instagram followers alone) comes from her ability to teach not just how to bake but why baking works. Her videos go beyond recipes, explaining the science behind ingredients and techniques while giving home bakers the confidence to experiment along the way.

Bake Anything arrives Sept. 29 and focuses on two ideas: foundational baking recipes and the many ways they can evolve. The book encourages readers to mix, match and build on recipes throughout, a process McDowell says mirrors the way she strategically organizes and uses recipes in her own kitchen.

“The idea is to encourage creativity so that, in addition to learning a bunch of recipes that I have inside [the cookbook], you can also maybe start to learn how to create your own flavors, dream up your own ideas or even just build on something that’s already in the book,” McDowell says.

Bake Anything is organized around 11 “mother recipes,” including foundational staples like brioche, puff pastry and pudding. Once readers master a base recipe (aided by stepby-step photography and QR-code video tutorials), McDowell shows how it can branch into dozens of other desserts. A basic pudding recipe, for example, becomes the jumping-off point for parfaits, cream pies, no-churn ice cream, buttercream and trifles.

McDowell understands why baking intimidates people, but she believes much of that fear comes from the misconception that baking is rigid and unforgiving. While precision matters, many techniques are simpler than they appear once bakers try them firsthand. She points to the sourdough boom during the pandemic as proof. The slow-fermentation method, sans yeast, may seem daunting on paper, but once people had time to practice at home, they realized the process was actually pretty manageable.

ERIN MCDOWELL’S PERFECT DAY IN KC

Morning Market

I’m waking up early to shop at the Overland Park Farmers Market for any seasonal produce I can get my hands on.

Like Child, McDowell thrives on video instruction thanks to her warm, approachable personality. As a visual learner herself, McDowell believes seeing a technique in action can remove much of the fear surrounding baking and give people the confidence to attempt recipes they might otherwise avoid. Her humor and willingness to laugh at herself while making “the perfect vanilla layer cake” or weaving pie dough also helps put nervous viewers at ease.

Grocery Run

My absolute favorite store is World Fresh Market, and I do the bulk of my shopping there. They sell flats of eggs that are local, have the best selection of herbs for great prices, and I love their dairy options, like labneh. I’m also stopping by the bakery counter to grab some savory pastries to snack on.

Spice Stop

After I unload my groceries at home, I’ll take the streetcar to the River Market. I love the Al Habashi Mart. Their spices are great. Even if I don’t need anything, I’ll go in there and walk around just for a sniff.

Treasure Trek

I’m stopping by River Market Antiques to shop through all four floors. I’m typically looking for things I can use in photos of food, like unique plates, platters or cool cups.

Sip Stop

Jay Sanders partnering with Cheval made me so excited.

I’ll chat with the bartenders and have a drink before heading home to make dinner.

“My first book was called The Fearless Baker because taking the fear out of baking is really my whole goal,” she says. “People have discovered this meditative, joyful side of cooking, and I think baking deserves that same kind of experience.”

After years of living in New York City, McDowell recently moved back to Kansas City (she’s originally from Lawrence), where she now enjoys something every baker dreams about: more kitchen space. Extra counters, storage and freezer room make a huge difference for someone constantly working with jars of fruit preserves, bags of frozen fruit and piles of cake pans and muffin tins.

When I ask what kitchen tool she recommends for aspiring bakers, McDowell mentions a good bench scraper but quickly adds that beginners don’t need to rush out to Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities just yet to stockpile baking equipment.

“I always say the most important tool, if you want to learn to bake, is your hands.”

Somehow, that feels like exactly the kind of advice Julia Child would have appreciated, too.

Place your preorder for Bake Anything at McDowell’s website, erinjeannemcdowell. com.

The Other Barbecue Argentinian

expats introduce Kansas Citians to asado culture

By Jill Wendholt Silva

ISOLINA DE LA VEGA grew up eating barbecue every Sunday in her native Argentina, but that experience didn’t prepare her for her first smoked pork ribs slathered in thick, sweet and tangy Kansas City barbecue sauce.

“When we received the food, I was like, ‘What is that? That’s not barbecue,’” says de la Vega, who co-owns Los Hornos Argentinian Flavors with her husband, Dario Jerrez Leavy. “But we changed our minds. When we decided to move here, we learned we had two different barbecues.”

The asado is the event, the food, the style of cooking,” says Todd Johns, an award-winning American Royal Grand Champion pitmaster and creator of Plowboys Barbecue rubs and sauces. “They use that word kind of interchangeably.

Eager to share their love of Argentinian barbecue with World Cup fans, the couple imported an Espiritu Parrillero grill and hefty bags of lump charcoal to cook authentic asado during watch parties on the restaurant’s outdoor patio.

Asado involves direct grilling of large cuts of grassfed beef, sausages and offal seasoned simply with sea salt, served naked or with chimichurri on the side. The same word is used to refer to a social gathering with family and friends, “a process” of leisurely sampling meats throughout the day as each comes off the open flame.

“The asado is the event, the food, the style of cooking,” says Todd Johns, an award-winning American Royal Grand Champion pitmaster and creator of Plowboys Barbecue rubs and sauces. “They use that word kind of interchangeably.”

In 2024, Johns spent three weeks touring Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Mendoza and El Calafate. During a stop at a cattle estate for an afternoon of horseback riding, he veered off from the group to hang out with Argentinian pitmasters.

While Johns fell hard for provoleta and morcilla, he left pining for a succulent morsel of beef.

“I appreciate what they’re doing, and it’s good in its own right, but nothing really had that American South barbecue tenderness in its doneness,” he says. “It all has a chew to it, which, to my American palate, tasted like steak.”

While waiting for the new grill to pass inspection, I try the sampler platter cooked on the indoor grill. It features costilla, a thin strip of beef short ribs cut across the bone, and tapa de asada, thick-cut brisket with the fat cap cooked to medium and seasoned with a signature red-tinted chimichurri.

Less familiar meats include a coarsely ground, less spicy version of pork chorizo; molleja, a sweetbread with a calamari-like chew served with a squeeze of lemon; and morcilla, a plump and rich-tasting blood sausage with the texture of patê.

“I like my barbecue more, but it’s because I grew up eating this barbecue, but I like Kansas City barbecue, too,” de la Vega says. “And when I receive friends and family from Argentina, of course, that’s the first place that we go—to one of our favorite Kansas City barbecue restaurants.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELEMENTS PHOTO STUDIO

Newsfeed

What’s new in Kansas City food and drink

By Nicole Kinning

Talk of the Town

After decades as a staple late-night dining option in the Crossroads, Town Topic Hamburgers (2021 Broadway Blvd., KCMO) is scaling back its hours. In a Facebook post, the diner announced that it will no longer operate 24/7; it will now close nightly at 8 pm. In the post, the owners cited safety concerns in the surrounding area, including a recent shooting nearby, as the reason for the change.

Last Call at Jalisco

After 61 years of operation, KCK’s Jalisco Restaurant permanently shut its doors at the end of May. The longtime State Ave. staple had a sign posted on its front door stating its closing date. It read: “Thank you for your patronage. Remember us, we will never forget you. The Hernandez Family.” Since opening in 1965, Jalisco has become

a multigenerational gathering spot known for its classic Mexican dishes, margaritas and deeply loyal customer base. The Hernandez family once operated additional Jalisco locations in both Mission and Kansas City, Kansas’ Argentine neighborhood.

Roll Call

KCulichi Sushi (542 Southwest Blvd., KCK) has officially opened its first restaurant location on Southwest Boulevard after building a following through its food trailer. The restaurant specializes in culichi-style sushi, a Sinaloa-inspired take on Japanese rolls that swaps raw fish for baked and fried creations loaded with steak, chicken, shrimp, cream cheese and melted mozzarella. Owners Jorge Sotelo Garcia, Fidel Lugo and Noel Lugo say the new space will also host watch parties and special events during the World Cup.

The Bar West

After years as a neighborhood sports bar staple in Shawnee, The Bar West (7174 Renner Road, Shawnee) is closing its doors. But the space won’t sit empty for long. A new mini-golf bar is set to take over, according to the Kansas City Star. Details are still limited, but it’s reported that plans call for a boozy indoor minigolf experience.

Moon Rising

Moon Bar (911 E. Fifth St., KCMO) opened toward the end of May, bringing a Japanese-style cocktail experience to Columbus Park. The bar comes from Saranya and Zachary Hubbard, who first built a following through Moon Bar popups before opening Tian Tea House last year. During the day, the space serves traditional Asian teas; by night, it transforms into an intimate 30-seat cocktail bar centered on Japanese bartending techniques and omotenashi, a hospitality philosophy focused on meticulous and wholehearted care and service.

Town Topic Hamburgers

Moon Rising

surreal estate

859 Holes

A breathtaking sculpture gives an important voice to the painful history of a Johnson County park site

By Nicole Kinning

TODAY, HERITAGE PARK in Olathe has a number of reasons to visit: softball fields, fresh walking trails, a marina. But a piece of the park’s history is giving people another reason to visit and reflect.

In 1838, 859 members of the Potawatomi Nation were forcibly removed from their homes and marched westward in what became known as the Trail of Death, a route believed to have passed through the very land that Heritage Park sits on. Since the 1980s, a rock and plaque near the park’s marina has marked that history, but the remembrance recently transformed into something bigger.

Fire Keepers Circle, unveiled last summer, is a circular art installation that stands in Heritage Park now, and it’s believed to be the only commemorative installation ever created for the Potawatomi Nation in honor of that forced march.

“What I love is that it all started with relationship building,” says Susan Mong, superintendent of culture for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

“When I think about this whole project, that piece of art is stunning—during the day, during the night. But what really wells up for me is the relationships, the trust that was built and the fact that we did it the right way.”

Doing it the right way meant starting even before a concept was designed. In 2023, JCPRD invited Citizen Potawotami Nation members, who make a pilgrimage along the Trail of Death every five years, to share breakfast and conversation. “To meet

the ancestors of folks that survived that,” Mong says, “that’s something you just can’t really put words to.”

From there, the art selection committee was built to include tribal members, applications were limited to Native American artists, and community engagement extended all the way to the tribe’s national family reunion in Shawnee, Oklahoma, which Mong attended. “To be invited into that sacred moment for the Potawatomi people was probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced,” she says.

The winning piece was curated by artists Leah Yellowbird and Aaron Squadroni. Its circular form reflects the fire keeper tradition, which is a sacred symbol of family and tribe gathering, and the curved panels mirror the path of the Trail of Death itself. Eight hundred and fifty-nine small holes are pierced throughout the sculpture, one for each individual who made that march, symbolizing light after dark.

Tribal members from across the country also mailed in hand-drawn family designs pulled from belts, moccasins and other heirlooms, which were fabricated onto feathers on the art piece. “One of the things that’s been so cool is to see people come and look for their feathers and go, ‘There it is. We’re a part of this piece,’” Mong says.

Leah Yellowbird passed away just months before the installation was complete, but her mark is left with the care she poured into every part of the work. Heritage Park sees nearly 900,000 visitors annually, according to Mong. “Even if you don’t know any of the details, you know that it’s a place where everybody is invited in to just sit and be.”

Fire Keepers Circle is located at Heritage Park, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe.