Fall will soon be behind us as the winter solstice arrives on December 21, bringing with it longer nights and colder temperatures. ❄️
(Pssst... Don’t forget to look for the “Christmas Star” — when Jupiter and Saturn appear close together in the nighttime sky.)
And as the weather starts to get drizzly, snowy, or just downright chilly, we’re shifting gears to comfort foods. Think macaroni and cheese, pot pies and hearty soups and stews. 🥧🥣😋
By this point in the pandemic, you might be tired of cooking at home. Maybe — after reading how many Kansas City restaurants have closed due to the pandemic — you’d like to support a few restaurants for dine-in, carry out, or delivery.
(Many of these spots offer gift cards, too, in case you're finishing up your holiday shopping.)
Here are a few chilly season food suggestions from KCUR's Up To Date food critics, along with some #foodporn to fire up your appetite — just in time for dinner!
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What to order: Lamb cavatelli.
The Antler Room is currently open for in-person dining, but it's also offering select items for curbside pickup. That selection includes the lamb cavatelli, recommended by KCUR food critic Mary Bloch.
“This pasta dish highlights all the fall flavors. Small pasta shells are mixed with local braised lamb, eggplant, kale, XO sauce and fresh parsley.” 🤤
📍 The Antler Room, 2506 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO
🕓 Open Wednesday-Sunday, 5-10 p.m.
🥡 Curbside pickup available to order online.
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What to order: Phat Bomb avocado toast and miso wild-caught salmon club.
Billie's Grocery is open for takeout with delivery available in some parts of Kansas City. It's a good choice if you're looking for some bomb avocado toast, Bloch recommends. 🥑
“This toast has great beet hummus and a classic soft egg, but what makes it really stand out from the others in town is the flavorful microgreens. All in all, Billie's is a lovely new restaurant addition to the scene full of great coffee and pastries, too.” ☕ 🥐
KCUR food critic Jenny Vergara is a fan of Billie's miso salmon club 🥪 in particular.
“This sandwich layers bacon, tomato, onion, organic wild greens and a tangy herb vegan “mayo” on herb focaccia bread. It sounds more sinful than it is.” 😈
📍 Billie's Grocery, 3216 Gillham Plaza, Ste 100, Kansas City, MO.
🕓 Open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
🥡 Carry out available to order online, with delivery in some locations.
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What to order: Tempura udon soup and sushi.
Brookside Sushi is currently open for dine-in and carry out service. Its sushi menu is extensive but it also offers a full menu of cooked items and — Vergara's favorite — a delish tempura udon soup. 🥣
“This [Tempura udon soup] is a favorite for its texture. It features thick, chewy noodles, a light golden chicken or beef broth and tempura-battered vegetables to float on top. There is also a wide variety of sushi rolls here.” 🍣
📍 Brookside Sushi, 408 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO.
🕓 Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. See hours online.
🥡 Carry out available by calling or texting 816-572-0705.
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What to order: Turkish coffee, rotisserie chicken, lamb, goat and house-made bread. 🍞
Clay & Fire is currently open for dine-in, carry out and curbside pickup as well. Tucked into a two-story house, this Westside spot certainly is "in a place just like home." 😊
“This Westside eatery serves traditional Turkish coffee ☕ and Middle Eastern brunch dishes, and specializes in what its owners describe as ‘near Eastern,’" says Vergara. "You'll primarily find Turkish fare, alongside dishes from Iran and Lebanon.”
📍 Clay & Fire, 815 W 17 St, Kansas City, MO.
🕓 Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
🥡 Carry out and curbside pickup available to order online.
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What to order: Rice cake, large kimchi fried rice. 🍚
Sura Eats is open for dine-in service and carry out. It's Kansas City's first restaurant dedicated to Korean cuisine — or as they call it, "Korean comfort food." And Bloch is a big fan of its rice cake and fried rice dishes.
“These are two of my favorite dishes in town. The crispy rice cake is served in a sweet, spicy sauce with beef and really sticks to your ribs. I prefer the fried rice with spicy pork and a sunny-side-up egg, but you can also get it with beef or tofu.”
📍 Sura Eats, 1707 Locust St, Kansas City, MO.
🕓 Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11-9 p.m.
🥡 Carry out available to order online. Delivery available through Postmates.
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What to order: Tortillas, breakfast burritos.
Yoli Tortilleria is open for pick-up only. If you're looking for the best tortillas in town, this is your place. The owners make their tortillas by hand using an ancient method called Nixtamalization. You can buy tortillas and tamales at Yoli's retail location, or stop in for a breakfast burrito, says Vergara.
"On Fridays and Saturdays, they make delicious breakfast burritos filled with scrambled egg, potato and chorizo ready for folks to take home and eat.” 🌯 Yes, PLEASE.
📍 Yoli Tortilleria, 1668 Jefferson St., Ste 100, Kansas City, MO.
🕓 Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
🥡 Pickup only. Shop tortillas and tamales online.
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| More Adventures in Kansas City
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|  | Christkindlmarkt at The Campground
While you can't travel to the real Christkindlmarkt this year, you can head to The Campground this weekend for outdoor festivities, local gifts, fireside food and drinks. 🍺 Open Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m.
| |  | Holiday Recipes from the KC Symphony
Kansas City Symphony musicians have great taste in holiday treats. 🍪 Try some of their recipes yourself, including a boozy egg nog that sounds absolutely delicious.
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