Merriam-Webster defines pastry as "sweet baked goods made of dough having a high fat content." The definition leaves out a few key words and phrases, like "delicious" and "tasting great with tea or coffee."
The Central Standard food critics swung by our studios to guide listeners on a quest for the most delectable pastries in Kansas City.
Here are their recommendations:
- Lamar's Donuts, multiple locations
- Cupcakes made by the owner's aunt - The Mixx, 4855 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Pies, The Upper Crust, 7943 Santa Fe, Overland Park, Kan. and basement of Pryde's Westport, 115 Westport Road, Kansas City, Mo.
- Cookies (and everything else) - Dolce, 3930 West 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, Kan.
- Carrot cake cupcakes, cookies and rolls - Cafe Europa, 323 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Scones - Rozzelle Court, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Kunafa - The Basha, 7016 West 105th Street, Overland Park, Kan.
- Parisi Coffee Shop
- Pastries, danish and Vietnamese spring rolls - Le Monde Bakery, 308 Armour Road, North Kansas City, Mo.
- Cookies and pastries - Wheatfields, 904 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Kan.
- Vegan pastries that don't taste like vegan pastries - Mud Pie, 1615 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Frosted Cookies - Boulevard Bakery, 2815 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.
- Homemade croissants - Farm to Market Bread Co., products available in multiple locations
- Goat cheese croissant - Natasha's Mulberry and Mott, 4745 Central Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Beignets - Beignet, 307 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Profiteroles - Westport Cafe, 419 Westport Road and Ca Va Cafe, 4149 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo.
Pastry recommendations from our listeners:
- Cream cheese donuts - Munchers, 925 Iowa Street, Lawrence, Kan.
- Bloom Bakery, 15 East 3rd Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Metuka, 1614 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Cafe Vie, 10330 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kan.
- Cinnamon rolls and cream puffs - Big Mama's, 2450 Grand, Kansas City, Mo.
- Profiteroles - Westport Cafe, 419 Westport Road, and Ca Va Cafe, 4149 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo.
- Poppy's Donut Shop, 318 West US Highway 24, Independence, Mo.
- Brioche and pastries - Andre's, 5018 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Wally's Pastry Shop, 3855 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Mo.
- Traditional Mexican pastries, tres leches cakes - Elvira's, 3838 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.
- Cinnamon rolls and sweet potato scones - Dolce, 3930 West 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, Kan.
- Bread and pastries - M&M's Bakery, 1721 East 31st Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Lavender cookie - The French Bee, 404 East Street, Parkville, Mo.
New and noteworthy restaurants:
- Barbecue sauces (disagreement among critics, some loved it and some didn't), meats, cobb salad, french fries, beautiful space - Q 39, 1000 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Service questionable, food good - Kansas Town, 1403 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- National chain has new location in Leawood - BurgerFi, 11635 Ash Street, Leawood, Kan.
- Charming space, nice restoration, pasta entrees, beet salad, reservations recommended - Cucina della Regazza, 301 Westport Road, Kansas City, Mo.
- New lunch menu with options such as porcetta open-faced sandwich - La Bodega, 703 SW Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
- Small plates, cheese plate, deviled eggs, charcuterie board, peel-and-eat shrimp, house-made pickle plate, arugula and smoked ham salad - Julep, 4141 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo.
- Brunch offerings: tenderloin and carmellized onions, potatoes, biscuits and locally-raised sausage gravy, service great, bottomless coffee - Majestic, 931 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
- Lamb sausage breakfast burrito and other breakfast offerings, coffee from a variety of roasters - Second-Best Coffee, 328 West 85th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Juice, (extreme) shabby chic decor - tLoft, 8025 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo.
- Closest to true definition of 'gastro pub' in town, fried-chicken dinner - Pig & Finch, 11570 Ash Street, Leawood, Kan.
- Unusual and unique burgers, new space is nice - Blanc, 4120 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo.
- Soups and sandwiches - Sasha's, 105 West 9th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
- Good deal for a burger, unpretentious locally owned mom n' pop place - Unx Burgers, 240 NW Oldham Parkway, Lee's Summit, Mo.
- New chef, menu in process of being revamped - Remedy, 500 West 75th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
Guests:
- Charles Ferruzza, food writer, The Pitch
- Emily Farris, owner and founder, Feed Me KC and blogger, The Feed
- Mary Bloch, food writer, The Kansas City Star and blogger, Around the Bloch
- Gloria Gale, food writer, 435 Magazine
