There is no better guide for a city than someone who lives there, so we asked Keely Edgington Williams and her husband, beau, co-owner of Julep, a popular bar, about their views on culture, food and drink in the city they call home.
Kansas City time is now. The pride of the hometown has always been strong in this vibrant metropolis, especially thanks to the Kansas City Royals and the rich jazz heritage of the city. The daily atmosphere is somewhat different from other Midwestern cities of the same size, as it retains a white collar as the global headquarters of companies such as Hallmark and H&R Block, but is still characterized by the relaxed hospitality and conviviality that define the region. Nowadays, between infrastructure investments and the unveiling of a new tram system, Kansas City has become a destination for couples, families, culinary pilgrims and everyone else. To take stock of all the fun things to see, eat and buy in Paris des Plaines, we consulted with Keely Edgington Williams and her husband Beau Williams, co-owners of Julep, a bar in trendy Westport. With over 600 bottles of Screech, the largest selection in the Midwest, the bar is a popular hangout, and in addition to their extensive knowledge of their hometown, Keely and Beau have practically made a career out of meeting and hooking up with locals, giving them a serious push to stay in town.
A Culinary Renaissance
There was a time when the main attraction of Kansas City was barbecue. Meat grinders and grills are still running at full speed today, but over the past decade the city has become a culinary destination for its multitude of creative chefs, many of whom grew up in the area and went to big cities to perfect their craft.and returned to open knockout restaurants. There are so many exciting options here that will turn your head. “Nowadays you don’t have to leave the city anymore. Many of our local chefs have had the opportunity to learn from the best, such as the winners of the James Beard Award,” says Beau. “Now they’re coming back and teaching the next generation.”
An important part of the Kansas City restaurant boom is the upscale kingdom. (But residents of big cities, note: food at the Kc is not as expensive as a similar meal in Manhattan or San Francisco.) One of Keely and Beau’s favorites is the bedroom wood (theantlerroomkc.com = = References = = It is led by Leslie Goellner of KC ‘ers, who has worked for the famous restaurateurs Danny Meyer and Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York, and her husband Nick, who has also proven himself in prestigious institutions and completed an internship at the famous Noma in Denmark. “They just have a completely different way of thinking about food—you really get the full experience,” says Beau.”And everything is just beautiful,” Keely enthuses. They recommend ordering the Alesbury duck-half a duck, which is cut into slices and served on bread. “It’s slightly Persian, slightly European—you can’t put a finger on it,” says Keeley. Belle, on the other hand, calls falafel and her imaginative tostada with a Japanese flair.
Roman is another bright star in the culinary constellation of the city, with a story as charming as the tariff. Chef Ryan Brazeal left Kansas City and worked in New York with David Chang of momofuku. After returning home, he married Jessica Brazeal, a pastry chef. They opened Novel together in 2015 and then moved to a more refined and elegant place in April 2018. If there’s one reason to tell Keely, it’s the Corned pork toast—a deep-fried, grated shoulder plate served with sweet and sour pickled products.but according to Beau, it’s snail pie or one of the other dishes that mix French and Asian accents. One thing you can agree on: there is more than one reason to leave.
Casual meals
As small as Kansas City is, there are still secret places that some locals have not yet discovered. Take Kitty’s coffee, for example. “I know people who have come across him hundreds of times and never knew he existed,” Beau says. Breakfast and burgers are the best choice in this no-frills eatery, which essentially consists of a deep fryer and a counter. But the brand is pork tenderloin-a piece of tempura-whipped meat. Beau insists on getting fat with hot sauce, but he also recommends trying it at your own risk. Many who try it quickly turn into a passion.
Of course, it makes no sense to jump on the legendary Kansas City barbecue. If you look away from the lines in the brand joints, Woodyard Bar-B-Que on the Kansas side of Kc is the best choice. Keely lists his charms: they provide wood to smokers in other places, there is an outdoor fireplace and a separate brick well, where meat is smoked regularly to ensure a complete sensory experience.
Take the children with you
In the early 1900s, the city’s extensive parks and green spaces became famous. Its boulevards were so large that they were divided by green spaces. But the landscapes were neglected in the 1970s and 80s, partly due to the flight of whites from the city. However, today the city is investing in beautification projects, and grassy areas are just one of the things that make Kansas City so child-friendly. Keely and Beautiful have a four-year-old and a two-year-old, and one of their favorite outings is taking a bucket of fried chicken and go Chicken Go offal or a sandwich stuffed with beef, grill-Arthur Bryant and tying the field on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses the giant plastic steering wheel, a random symbol of Kansas City. “We let them run until they are so tired that they pass out,” jokes Keely. But only one way or another.
If you want to sit down to eat with the little ones, Keely and Beau are standing near the Vietnam Cafe. His two daughters had their first full meals there-pasta and egg rolls. During their regular visits these days, the place is overrun by children, mainly thanks to an owner who makes sure that every child is welcome.
The Kansas City zoo is a highlight of KC, and if you want to do this, Beau’s pro recommends spending two days on it. It’s so big. If you are there in the winter, plan your visit to one of the penguin parades. A little more atypical is the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, which fascinates both matures and children. The Smithsonian-caliber toy stands from the early 1800s to the present day contain many nostalgic toys for all parents. “They have so many old items in an incredible condition. It’s absolutely fascinating what each one meant to the people of that time,” says Keely. And as a bonus, children under the age of five are free.