We met on the Westside for lunch in December 2010 to discuss his new restaurant concept. It was cold, I remember I wore boots with tights to keep my legs from freezing under my plaid skirt that day. We ordered soup and salad trying to satisfy our need for comfort food on such a cold day, while simultaneously trying to keep those resolutions.
That's when my friend, and former New Yorker, Peter Herber, owner/manage of Terrance on Grand, Luna Nightclub and several other buildings and businesses around the Crossroads laid his cards out on the table. He wanted to open restaurant in the old Universal Studio's Vault building next to The Webster House. He wanted to cater, and I do mean cater, to the pre & post theatre crowd. Specially, the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Theatre crowd.
He wants to call the place Universal. He wants it to be built out by a local architect firm in the round just as the theatre experience tends to be. He wants to have an impressive well-known Chef in the kitchen. He wants to have a really solid bartender. He wants to offer additional services like valet parking for theater goers and a pick-up/drop-off car & driver service that people can book when they make reservations to eat at his place before the theatre. He will offer to pick-up guests tickets at Will Call, so that they may continue to dine right up until the show starts. He wants to reel them back in for coffee, dessert or at late night bite after the show.
The more Pete talked the more brilliant I thought this idea sounded. The services he wanted to provide would make him an absolute destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the theatre without having to suffer through all the timing and details of cramming in dinner and a show.
Pete knows what he is talking about. As a former broadway performer himself, married to a former ballerina, he know much about theatre life, both on stage and as an avid theatre goer during his days in New York City. Like most people, he came back to Kansas City to raise his kids and be near family. But, he never lost his zeal for the theatre, which is evident the second you engage him in theatre conversation. The services he plans to provide sounded completely original and unique to me. The truth was, his restaurant would mirror the same services offered in much larger markets to a much bigger theatre-going crowd. We were finally going to have a big city performing arts center in Kansas City, and that called for an inspirational big city theatre restaurant to go along with it. The Performing Arts were inspiring the Culinary Arts in Kansas City.
"So, who are you thinking would run this operation, Pete?", I asked. He said, "I would, if it is going to work, I have to be the one on the front lines running it." Makes perfect sense to me. Pete does have restaurant experience and plenty of event space experience. He knows what good service and the cost structure should look like, he is, afterall, a businessman.
"And who is the Chef going to be?" I inquired, mind racing at who he might have in mind. He tossed out some national celebrity Top Chef type names, including the Voltaggio Brothers, who I totally have a crush on. (Yeah, either one.) "But Pete," I said, "sure . . . they can design the menu, but if they aren't in the kitchen night after night KC is not going to show up."
About 6 months after our meeting, after Pete had been beating the streets looking for investment capital to get this restaurant off the ground, I heard that Chef Jonathan Justus, owner of Justus Drugstore was planning to come on board as the Executive Chef for Universal. Some press was given to this news, as luring Chef from his restaurant in Smillville, MO to downtown KC would mean people could no longer say his restaurant was just too far away to eat there. All they would have to do to eat Chef Jonathan's food . . .is drive downtown. This is when I knew that things would definately be changing in the downtown restaurant scene in Kansas City forever.
Other restaurants and cocktail lounges surrounding the newly opened Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, are morphing to meet the needs and hours of the people who will be patonizing the new Arts Mecca in Kansas City. Here are some of the restaurants surrounding the new Kauffman Center than you could indulge in before catching a show. Each of them offering additional services, hours or meal deals to lure you in pre- or post-performance.
Webster House
1644 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 221- 4713
With a new chef, Matthew Arnold, a KC native, now back from cooking in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Webster House, with its close proximity to the Kauffman Center, stands to dominate the theater crowd. Along with their usual lunch and dinner menu’s, Webster House will also be offering “Late Nights at the Webster House” Wed. – Sat. nights until midnight, featuring a late night small plates and dessert menu for the post theatre crowd wanting to land for a drink and a snack while the parking garage thins out. They will also begin serving a Sunday brunch until 2 pm to give options to the matinee crowd.
Michael Smith Restaurant
1900 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 842-2202
AND
Extra Virgin
1900 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 842-2205
Owner/Chef Michael Smith and his wife, Nancy, are in the unique position of having seen & serviced the arts crowds at both of their restaurants, Michael Smith Restaurant and Extra Virgin, during First Friday’s. For Kauffman Center patrons they are planning to offer transportation to and from the theater and will also offer a special 3 course dinner to get people in and out quickly. They are taking reservations now for upcoming performance dates; so do not hesitate to call now to make your reservations.
The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange and Manifesto
1924 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 471-2177
Owner, Ryan Maybee, and Executive Chef Howard Hanna knew the location of The Rieger would put them in a unique position to service the Kauffman Center crowd. They also have the benefit of offering two distinctly different experiences. You can come for dinner at The Rieger pre-theater, or you can make reservations to visit their speakeasy cocktail lounge, Manifesto, post-theater. Either way you will be treated to some of the finest food and craft-cocktails that Kansas City has to offer.
Snow & Co.
1815 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
Owner, Jerry Nevins and his partners, are planning to open their new frozen cocktail spot in the former Black Bamboo location in the Crossroads, by mid- October 2011. Featuring frozen cocktails made from premium spirits and house-made simple syrups, this is not your Momma’s frozen day-glo margarita. Picture a comfortable lounge vibe in icy blues and greens, and servers who can take your order and scan your credit card from iPad’s whenever you are ready. The drinks? Prepare yourself for a frozen Manhattan, Bloody Mary and a special frozen Spiced Chocolate & Elderflower concoction being worked on in collaboration with Christopher Elbow. With a full kitchen, Snow & Co. will also offer light appetizers; salads and sandwiches to keep you satisfied.
There is no doubt that with opening of the new Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, we have an incredible opportunity to support ALL of the arts in Kansas City. Theater. Opera. Symphony. Ballet. Culinary. Yes, you heard me, culinary.
So, in the spirit of immersing yourself in the arts, why not select your restaurant based on the performance you are about to see? Make your entire evening, one that will support and enhance your overall artistic experience. Think of it as blending your culinary arts with your performing arts experience. Here are some examples, that I came up with based on future performances coming up at the Kauffman Center.
October 14-23 - Kauffman Center Ballet: Huck Finn - Mark Twain’s timeless coming of age story of young Tom Sawyer’s struggles between ‘being growed up’ and the pull of his wild, untamed childhood. This is a classic story interpreted via classical dance.
Potpie
904 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO 64111
816.561.2702
Chef John Williams’ restaurant in Westport, Potpie, has long been considered the place to get “Home Style Fine Dining in Kansas City.” The perfect place to get a comforting, gourmet home cooked meal before going to see the classic tale of Huck Finn. Try the namesake potpie, or check out the specials on the chalkboard listed on the back wall of the restaurant. The atmosphere is casual and cozy enough to make you feel right at home, while the food is comforting favorites with gourmet twists.
October 21 & 22 - Kauffman Center Symphony Pops: Steve Lippia in “Simply Swingin’ with Sinatra and Friends” - This sensational show features the classic pops songs of yesteryear, performed in Steve Lippia’s signature, velvety style. Spend an evening with The Rat Pack!
Garozzo’s Ristorante
526 Harrison Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 221-2455
Nothing says “Rat Pack”, quite like the classic red sauce Italian favorites of Garozzo’s Ristorante. Dine at their original location, in Columbus Park, to be closest to the Kauffman Center. Owner Michael Garozzo, being from “The Hill” in St. Louis, opened this restaurant over 20 years ago. Today the dish they are most known for is still, the Chicken Spiedini. The classic pasta dishes never disappoint, and the music they play will prime you for the entertainment that is to come. Call for reservations.
October 28-30 - Kauffman Center Symphony: Brahms’ German Requiem - Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem is one of the most beloved choral works ever written, and has remained an audience favorite.
Grünauer Restaurant
101 West 22nd Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 283-3234
Chef Peter Grünauer has, with the help of his son Nicholas and daughter Elisabeth, has opened this German/Austrian restaurant in the Freight House District, delivering traditional dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Hungarian Beef Goulash. Try the Schweinbraten featuring thick slices of fork tender roasted pork and bread dumplings to get you in the mood for Brahms’ German Requiem.
So, what about Universal Restaurant? Pete Herber continues to look for the financial backing he needs to get this place off the ground. He has not given up hope that once people start attending performances there, that backers for his concept restaurant will appear as the need presents itself. I wish him and all the restaurants surrounding our new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts much luck and success. What's good for the arts . . .is good for all of the arts in Kansas City, including the culinary arts.
Enjoy!
