We sit down with four of Kansas City’s most celebrated chefs to find out their favorite places and dishes to eat out. We encourage you to tell us your favorite Kansas City dining establishments.

• Share your favorite Kansas City restaurant with visitors.

CHEF COLBY GARRELTS

Background

• > The brains behind the progressive Bluestem and a three-time nominee for Best Chef: Midwest
• > Web site: www.bluestemkc.com

Kansas City Favorites

• FOR COUPLES: “Krause’s Dining in Lawrence is fantastic. I feel this is one of the most well-rounded restaurants in KC.” 
• KID-FRIENDLY CUISINE: “SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza is great. My daughter Madi is always happy when we go there.” 
• AFTER-DINNER DRINKS: “Manifesto is KC’s must-go for ‘smart’ drinks … handcrafted and premium ingredients.” 
• WHAT I LOVE ABOUT KC: “It is one of the most competitive restaurant markets in the US. Everyone works so hard that we all have to push to stay on top. It’s a very good thing for the diner.” 

CHEF CHRISTOPHER ELBOW

Background

• Award-winning chocolatier behind Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates
• Web Site: www.elbowchocolates.com

Kansas City Background

• FOR COUPLES: “The American Restaurant. Great views, food and service. In its 30+ years of existence, it has been a landmark in the KC fine dining scene.” 
• MOST INNOVATIVE MENU: “Extra Virgin for sure … beef tongue and crispy pig’s ears!”
• AFTER-DINNER DRINKS: “I love the wine bar at Bluestem. Very cool atmosphere.” 
• FOR BREAKFAST: “Happy Gillis Café & Hangout serves fantastic freshly prepared classics like biscuits and gravy, but the BLT with a fried egg on it can’t be beat.”

CHEF DEBBIE GOLD

Background

• James Beard Award winner and executive chef of The American Restaurant
• Web site: www.theamericankc.com

Kansas City Favorites

• GIMME A BURGER: “I’d have to go with Westport Flea Market, of course. But for a burger with some flair, try Blanc Burgers and Bottles.”
• FOR BREAKFAST: “You Say Tomato … just like having Mom there to make you breakfast.” 
• LATE-NIGHT BITES: “JP Wine Bar serves food ’til midnight, and they have a nice wine selection. Harry’s Bar & Tables is also a great place after a long day at work.” 
• WHAT I LOVE ABOUT KC: “The creativity of the chef-driven restaurants. The heart, the soul, the blood, the sweat and the tears that these people put behind what they do.”

CHEF JONATHAN JUSTUS

Background

• Owner of Smithville’s farm-to-table sensation, Justus Drugstore
• Web site: www.drugstorerestaurant.com

Kansas City Favorites

• FOR BREAKFAST: “YJ’s Snack Bar with its San Fran bohemian aesthetic, real butter and maple syrup in a sea of ink and bed head … feels like home.” 
• RESTAURANT ON THE RISE: “The R Bar in the West Bottoms, for Alex Pope’s cool contemporary cuisine in the throwback, shotgun shack décor.” 
• TRIED & TRUE: “The surreal cabaret that is Le Fou Frog—Barbara and Mano Raphael as emcees—is still the coolest food spot in town.” 
• WHAT I LOVE ABOUT KC: “We wear our barbecue sauce on our sleeve.”