FOOD words by EMILY & STEWART LANE | photos by ANNA PETROW
Taking Root in Kansas City Soil. Warmth and comfort. Style and innovation. One might think these things couldn’t possibly overlap in one dining experience, yet Black Dirt has found a way to coalesce these disparate elements. From the team that brought us Justus Drugstore in Smithville, Missouri, Chef Jonathan Justus, a James Beard Award nominee, and Camille Eklof, have added to the food landscape in midtown with the opening of their second restaurant. EL: They say the best things are grown in the black dirt of Missouri. Chef Justus is taking this notion to heart with his new restaurant located in the 51 Main building just south of the Plaza. Upon arriving, one can tell there are various pockets of space in which to dine, each offering a distinctive environment. We were led into a room of small tables, all housed under an incredible art piece they referred to as their “tree sculpture,” which is exactly as it sounds and more. Twisted and tangled roots interspersed with industrial lights set the stage for our evening. SL: When Emily and I dined here for the first time, there were so many tantalizing items on the menu, and we wanted to try as many dishes as possible, so we opted
14 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | Summer 2018
