Recent Stories by Joyce Smith
Northeast Pizza shop bakes KC’s most accessible food into a new restaurant for all, owner says
Rising from a family of restaurateurs, Noah Quillec is striking out on his own — with the help of some culinary friends — to bring a new pizzeria to Kansas City’s Northeast; it’s a move he hopes will bring unity by the slice. “This neighborhood is very accessible, so diverse and so all over the…
How this Andre’s Valentine collaboration celebrates the friendship that sparked Kate Spade
The favorite hometown chocolate of one Kansas City’s best-known fashion designers and entrepreneurs serves as just one ingredient in a new Valentine’s Day collaboration from André’s Confiserie Suisse. The local chocolatier just rolled out a limited edition line alongside Frances Valentine to mark the holiday, as well as celebrate the friendship between Elyce Arons and…
Mildred’s new South Plaza spot serves brothers opportunity to scale brand’s cozy legacy
It already has one of downtown Kansas City’s best breakfast sandwiches. Now Mildred’s is opening another home-spun spot in the South Plaza neighborhood. Mildred’s — a breakfast, brunch and lunch operation with locations downtown and in the Crossroads — plans a 7 a.m. Friday opening at 5060 Main St., in the former Mission Taco Joint…
Irish favorite won’t reopen after chef’s killing; Brady & Fox could never be replicated, building owner says
The restaurant space previously home to East Brookside’s Brady & Fox is now available for lease, its owner confirmed, noting the building has been dark since the shooting death of beloved Kansas City chef Shaun Brady, a steadfast leader within the local Irish community. “We’ve been working with the family and we have all agreed…
Noelia Olivares had a vision of the sea in KC; her food truck-turned-restaurant serves up the surf
A new brick-and-mortar restaurant docked along one of Kansas City’s popular dining corridors is sailing into the blustery Midwest market this winter — with the young entrepreneur behind the counter offering her family’s fresh take on Mexican seafood cuisine. Mariscos Mr. Culichi is now open at 910 Southwest Boulevard (Taqueria Mexico long operated in the…
This $25 stack of ‘Touchdown Toast’ barely fits in its photo; Chiefs concessions debuts decadent playoff platter
Chiefs fans will have a “larger-than-life, breakfast-for-dinner” creation to celebrate the playoffs as Kansas City’s hometown team returns to Arrowhead Stadium later this month. “Touchdown Toast” — described as a loaf of bread that is first soaked in eggs, custard, milk and heavy cream, seared and then baked — is among the first specialty offerings…
Café Equinox propagates new year-round Liberty location; Nelson brothers taking perennial coffee concept evergreen
Café Equinox initially was meant to operate its coffee shop concept only during the equinox, nestled inside Family Tree Nursery greenhouses, said Jonah Nelson. “From September through March when people don’t have that warm outside space, they can come to the greenhouse,” said Nelson, who operates the family-owned garden centers with his brother, Jessie. “It…
Herbalist’s new shop on The Paseo deepens access to natural flavors in east side food desert
Potential customers who were once hesitant to try Rosierra “Rosie” Warren’s sweet Fruity Tutti Tea got free samples of the brew; now it’s one of her bestsellers at Nature Made Me, an apothecary and teahouse on The Paseo. More spicy flavors, like the Golden Milk tea (spiced chai with turmeric, ginger and black pepper), also…
New Texas BBQ spot cooking in Westport; pitmaster says he’ll have the best brisket in KC
Five years after a one-time Westport ice house was renovated for food operations, Kevin Bulgerin wants to bring a taste of Texas barbecue to the site — and potentially add a new BBQ favorite from within Kansas City’s historic entertainment district. Grinning Bull BBQ is expected to take over one of two open spaces at…
Strang closes doors to Plaza food hall concept, citing slow foot traffic to its diverse, chef-driven menus
Despite a bustling holiday shopping season on the Country Club Plaza, a food hall in the iconic Kansas City shopping district failed to gain a foothold, said CEO Shawn Craft, announcing the closure of another Strang Hall location less than a month after shuttering its downtown space. Leaders behind Strang Chef Collective on the Plaza…









