Food & Drink
New Downtown Hampton Features Balconies, Streetcar-Savvy Starbucks
By Kevin Collison The new Hampton by Hilton opening soon on the northeast corner of 16th and Main already has booked a high-profile guest, a full-service Starbucks by the streetcar station. The $25 million, 132-room hotel is expected to open later this month or early April. The South Carolina developer had hoped to have it…
Spokes Opens Second Downtown Location, Includes Outdoor Seating
By Kevin Collison Spokes Café|Cyclery is opening its second downtown outlet at 929 Walnut today, and in addition to fixing bikes and serving food and coffee drinks, the new location will have a full bar and sidewalk seating along Walnut Street. Founder Dan Walsh said the new location, which takes the place of a former…
Ambassador Hotel Opens Addition in Time for Big 12 Tournament
By Kevin Collison The Ambassador Hotel Kansas City at 1111 Grand is opening its $14.9 million addition today, just in time to welcome fans attending the Big 12 Men’s Tournament. The nine-story tower is adding 70 rooms to the 43-room boutique hotel that opened in the historic Gate City National Bank Building in 2012. Paul…
City Barrel Serves ‘Upper Echelon’ Brewpub Experience
By Kevin Collison City Barrel Brewing has opened in the East Crossroads and if you’re looking for a full service restaurant and perhaps an “816” double dry hop blonde ale to wash it down, James Stutsman has just the a place. “We’re bringing a wine bar approach to craft beer,” he said. “It’s an upper…
Two Very Different Downtown Retailers on Main Street Close
Two very different downtown retailers on Main Street, one a national chain, the other a homegrown pastry shop, have closed their doors. The JoS. A. Banks clothing store at 1320 Main, one of the earliest tenants in the Power & Light District, closed in mid-February. Brioche Pastry Shop at 2000 Main closed this week. Attempts…
Revocup to Rev Up Coffee Scene in Underserved Corner of Downtown
By Kevin Collison Coffee lovers in the underserved northeast corner of downtown are about to get a place to call their own: Revocup expects to open by early summer at the historic Pickwick Building at Ninth and McGee. Revocup is a locally-based chain that specializes in Ethiopian coffee, a “high-caliber” bean known for its sweeter…
“Estelle’s Diner” Opens in Former Cascone’s in River Market
By Kevin Collison If there’s such a thing as a healthy diner, that’s Anton Kotar’s plan to reinvent the soon-to-close Cascone’s Grill in the River Market. Kotar intends to serve plenty of his trademark grass-fed beef at what he’s calling “Estelle’s Diner,” named after his six-year-old daughter. He raises the cattle on a spread near…
STRETCH Expands Into Former Thou Mayest Space
By Kevin Collison The space formerly occupied by Thou Mayest is about to be reincarnated by the pioneering prince of East Crossroads entrepreneurs, STRETCH. STRETCH, the sculptor who launched the revival of the area when he opened Grinders in 2000, has taken over the space at 419 E. 18th St. and plans to open what…
Guy Fieri Opens Roadhouse-Style Restaurant at KC Live!
Food Network celebrity Guy Fieri’s new restaurant at the Power & Light District has opened, just in time to serve up tacos and cocktails to fans attending the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in mid-March. “Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint” is being designed to resemble an American roadhouse joint, according to a press release….
Chef Michael Smith’s Farina Brings ‘Love on the Plate’ to Crossroads
By Jill Wendholt Silva The beggar’s purse is back. If you missed the first incarnation of the chive-tied crepe bundle filled with caviar and crème, head to the Tuesday opening of Farina for James Beard award-winning chef Michael Smith’s nod to this iconic ‘80s dish. That is if you can grab a table anytime soon…