With a population of just under 500,000, Kansas City, Mo. is a Midwestern mecca of art, culture and business. So Worth is bringing you some of the most interesting businesses, hotels, restaurants and attractions in KC.
Business
KC TECH COUNCIL
KC Tech Council is on a mission to make Kansas City the top tech hub in the region. The organization also hosts conferences and retreats covering topics within the technology sector. 1828 Walnut St., 3rd floor, [email protected], 816.895.2820, kctechcouncil.com
KANSAS CITY STARTUP VILLAGE
After being selected as the first U.S. Google Fiber city, Kansas City, Kan., attracted startups in droves for its ultra high-speed internet. This influx spawned Startup Village, which provides office space, community and Google Fiber service to about 25 companies in a range of industries. Kansas City Startup Foundation, the entrepreneurship-focused Kauffman Foundation and Sprint are all supporters. kcstartupvillage.org
KCRISE FUND
Launched in early 2016, this investment fund raises money from local investors and helps connect area entrepreneurs to prominent VCs. When those VCs make an investment, KCRise matches 20 percent of the amount with local funds—an effort designed to help risk-averse locals invest in their community. Darcy Howe, who spent 30 years in the Merrill Lynch private banking and investment group and is now an angel investor, helms the fund. KCRise has raised $19 million so far. kcrising.com
Hotels
CROSSROADS HOTEL
Located in what was once the Pabst Brewing Depot, this luxury hotel offers 131 rooms and suites. After settling in, grab a drink and play a game of bocce at the rooftop bar, Percheron, or indulge in an Italian candlelit dinner at Lazia Restaurant. 2101 Central St., 866.531.2400, crossroadshotelkc.com
THE FONTAINE
Formerly Hotel Sorella, The Fontaine houses 132 rooms, nine suites and a presidential suite. The hotel attracts guests for its rooftop pool and rooftop restaurant, Parker. 901 W. 48th Pl., 816.753.8800, thefontainehotel.com
THE RAPHAEL HOTEL
This Italian Renaissance Revival-style building was rebranded as the Raphael Hotel in 1975. The boutique property completed an extensive renovation to its 126 rooms and suites in 2010. Raphael’s restaurant, Chaz on the Plaza, offers regional cuisine. 325 Ward Pkwy, 816.756.3800 raphaelkc.com
Restaurants
FRESHWATER
Reopened in 2018 after a car accident caused the restaurant to close, Freshwater serves up an ever-changing menu of small, shared and large plates, as well as a 10-course tasting menu, both of which highlight local farmers and ingredients. The restaurant’s executive chef, Calvin Davis, earned a James Beard Award nomination for Rising Star Chef of the Year in 2019. 3711 Summit St., 816.820.0296, freshwaterkc.com
ARTHUR BRYANT’S
A local fixture since the 1920s, Arthur Bryant’s has perfected burnt ends, the BBQ dish named for the end pieces of brisket that are more bark than meat, tossed with K.C.-style barbecue sauce (tomato-based and sweetened with molasses). Go hungry and prepared to wait. 1727 Brooklyn Ave., 816.231.1123, arthurbryantsbbq.com
BLUESTEM
Husband-and-wife co-owners Colby and Megan Garrelts celebrated Bluestem’s 10th anniversary with a major renovation in 2014. Winner of the James Beard Award for best chef in the Midwest in 2013, Bluestem was nominated for outstanding restaurant in 2015 through 2018 and won Outstanding Chef in 2019. 900 Westport Rd., 816.561.1101 bluestemkc.com
THE MAJESTIC RESTAURANT
Eat a strip steak and listen to live music at the Majestic Restaurant, housed in a former saloon downtown. Reserve a table on the lower level, which was a speakeasy during Prohibition and has live jazz performances every night. 931 Broadway Blvd., [email protected], 816.221.1888, majestickc.com
Experiences
UNION STATION
Catch a train, a movie or a play at Kansas City’s Union Station. A train station resurrected in 1914, Union Station is not only a hub for Amtrak trains from all around the country but also hosts a planetarium, a theater and a science center, among other attractions. 30 W. Pershing Rd., 816.460.2020, unionstation.org
KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Designed by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, the Kauffman Center opened in 2011. It houses the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. 1601 Broadway Blvd. [email protected], 816.994 .7200, kauffmancenter.org
THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
The stunning neoclassical main building and the Steven Holl–designed Bloch Building overlook a lawn with 18-foot-tall shuttlecock sculptures. Inside, the museum houses more than 35,000 works. The museum underwent an $11.7 million renovation in 2017 to add the Bloch Art Gallery, which displays Marion and Henry Bloch’s collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. 4525 Oak St., [email protected], 816.751.1278, nelson-atkins.org
