KCRag Forum

KC has had several James Beard winners/nominees over the years (the Oscars of restaurant industry) and it would be (insert hyperbole of choice here) if they could all convene within walking distance in Xroads. Michael Smith (winner) has two restaurants in Xroads, Martin Heuser's Affair (finalist) is across the street, Lidia Bastianich place is nearby, I'm thinking either Debbie Gold or Celina Tio (both past winners) is opening something in Xroads, the other should too. Colby of Bluestem (won this year) could probably do a small plates lounge, Jonathan Justus (once nominated) tried for Xroads but apparently couldn't get the funding - keep trying man. Hannah of Reiger/Manifesto is JB material and has hit other lists. I may be missing others, maybe Room 39? I think Stroud's won one year. Who else has been nominated in the past?

Not sure what James Beard Foundation would think of a district in KC named after him (if even unofficially) but he did have close ties to the nearby American Restaurant. It might be something to pursue and would raise the level of KC's foodie image to have such a virtual district buzz. May encourage outsider winners/nominees to open a KC spot as Lidia did. Might even attract those so-close-but-not-quite-there-yet James Beard potentials to KC, such as the new chef at American.

Not many mid size cities have this many JB winners. If the buzz works, housing (w/more ground level restaurant space of course) could take off in all those Xroads surface lots waiting for development, complemented by the downtown streetcar line.

So Colby, how about continuing the momentum with a small plates lounge in Xroads and encourage all of your fellow JB'rs to often mention the burgeoning James Beard District in Xroads...

a foodie destination map is a good idea, even if they're not all JB nominees/winners. thanks for the idea!

Am thinking a KC/JB buzz that hits food/travel media from the bottom up. The JB district is already happening organically on its own. Might come across as contrived if officially promoted top down by the City.

There are a few more winners/nominees around KC who could keep the momentum going. Not many mid size cities have as many active winners as KC - any major city could come up with a foodie restaurant district, many can't do a list of JB'rs in one district and Xroads already has 4. An unofficial JB District could give KC another identity beyond BBQ. And could draw attention to those who are JB material, like Rieger, maybe Nica's (from JB circles).

The American Restaurant spawns JB winners, how about an entire district.

How about a James Beard progressive dinner where you have a different course at each restaurant; kind of a foodie version of a pub crawl.

^Nice idea.

I mentioned 4 in Xroads (2 Micheal Smith, Lidia's, Affair) but the American is also nearby. And Celine Tio is actually planning on 2 spots in Xroads.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/03/11/41 ... o-new.html

So 7 in the area. That sounds like earned JB District buzz to me. OK Colby and Debbie Gold, your turn. Keep trying Jonathan Justus.

a curated foods guide to local KC restaurants of all kinds would be smart

award winners
featured in the media
KC BBQ

^That's all good though all major cities have such a thing, plenty of guides/lists for every major city including KC.

What is unique here is that KC has 7 JB restaurants in one area and not many cities have that, maybe not even a few. It could be 10 if Colby Garrelts, Debbie Gold and Jonathan Justus open shop in Xroads, even Stroud's as they once won. Rieger is JB material and maybe could get a nomination in next year or so. I don't think STL has ever had a single JB winner, Denver might only have a couple, most mid-sized cities don't have more than a couple regional winners if any (that stay). It is something unique for a mid-size city like KC to not only have that many that stay but that are also concentrating in one area.

Is unique enough to spin a buzz of a "JB district in KC" from the bottom up and target travel/food media. The JB circles in KC and Joyce at the Star could brew a buzz and push it up to national travel/food media (along with mentioning a lot of other non-JB standouts in KC, which they already do). A buzz could encourage outsider JB winners or those aspiring to be to open up shop in the "JB district in KC".

James Beard 2014 semifinalists: Howard Hanna @ Reiger, Ted Habiger @ Room 39 for Midwest Chefs and Nick Wesemann @ American for pastry.

http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/19/48 ... named.html

earthling wrote:James Beard 2014 semifinalists: Howard Hanna @ Reiger, Ted Habiger @ Room 39 for Midwest Chefs and Nick Wesemann @ American for pastry.

http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/19/48 ... named.html

I've been a fan of Howard's since he was at Room 39 - he does beef and pork extremely well. We only make it to the Reiger maybe 3 times a year, but every one of his staff remembers us and go out of their way to make the experience special.

KC has 4 James Beard nominations for 2015 - 2 national and 2 regional. Congrats to all...

http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... ard-awards

National: Bluestem for Outstanding restaurant and pastry chef at American
Midwest: Chefs at Reiger and Port Fonda

no crossroads love this year: http://www.jamesbeard.org/sites/default ... al%203.pdf

A Westport year with Port Fonda and Bluestem noms and Justus Drugstore in Smithville. Now if they could open a new concept in Xroads. Jonathan Justus tried but ended out at 51st/Main.

earthling wrote:A Westport year with Port Fonda and Bluestem noms and Justus Drugstore in Smithville. Now if they could open a new concept in Xroads. Jonathan Justus tried but ended out at 51st/Main.

i heard that 51st/main was no longer happening.

That's a bummer if the case, sounded like it was well on its way.

DaveKCMO wrote:

earthling wrote:A Westport year with Port Fonda and Bluestem noms and Justus Drugstore in Smithville. Now if they could open a new concept in Xroads. Jonathan Justus tried but ended out at 51st/Main.

i heard that 51st/main was no longer happening.

wow... they also lost the Mexican place that went to OP.

James Beard tour comes to KC, one of 10 cities...
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... event.html

Kansas City's reputation goes beyond the foundation. The culinary experts and chef judges for the foundation's awards programs are "saying they feel the city has become more artisanal, farm-to-table," she said.

Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities

2 local chefs, 2 restaurants make the cut as James Beard semifinalists (2017)

Four local names — two regulars and two newbies — appeared on the James Beard Foundation's list of semifinalists for its awards, announced Tuesday.

Patrick Ryan of Kansas City's Port Fonda, 4141 Pennsylvania Ave., is up for the Best Chef Midwest honor for the third year in a row.

Also for the third year in a row, Kansas City's Bluestem, 900 Westport Road, earned a semifinalist spot for outstanding restaurant. It features progressive American cuisine. The category recognizes restaurants that offer consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere and service.

Megan Garrelts of Leawood's Rye was nominated for outstanding pastry chef; she and her husband, Colby, who won the foundation's Best Chef Midwest award in 2013, also own Bluestem. The other new nominee was Kansas City's Manifesto, which is up for outstanding bar program. The category recognizes restaurants or bars that demonstrate excellence in cocktail, spirits and/or beer service.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... j=77396371

ugh why Port Fonda. That place is not good.

Surprising to hear ^. Only been there once, but thought the food was pretty tasty. Vibes a little precious, but that's not a disqualifier.

Yeah, not a fan of hipstermex, they try too hard.