In Kansas City it's expected that the weather will jump from snowy, to balmy, to sultry in a matter of weeks.
But now that we're firmly into spring, and summer is just around the corner, restaurants are opening their outdoor patios, decks, balconies, rooftops and sidewalk seating.
Many diners love the opportunity to dine al fresco, surrounded by the beauty of nature – or asphalt parking lots. Other Kansas City diners see outdoor dining as a nightmare of bugs, noise, cigarette smoke and gawking strangers.
Have you ever wondered why a street is named the what it is? Or what that one person did that immortalized their name onto our mailing address? Some are fairly obvious, but many surprises abound when you start exploring. History host Monroe Dodd invites David Boutros, the Assistant Director at State Historical Society of Missouri, Daniel Serda a teacher at the KU school of Architecture Design and Planning, and Matt Gilligan of the Johnson County Museum to explore our streets and just how they became know for what they are today.
Korea has been top of mind lately as the threat of conflict has been rising, but on this Central Standard Friday the food critics take a look at another explosive element of this country's culture: its cuisine. From famous dishes like kimchi and Bibimbap, we look at what makes up Korean food, and where you can find it in Kansas City.
Movie Critics Russ Simmons, Marie Asner and Thom Poe gather round during KCUR's spring pledge drive to discuss the best and worst of the recent film releases.
History host Monroe Dodd speaks with Michael Lind about his most recent book, Land of Promise: An Economic History of the United States. They explore the curious history of the United States from its inception to today through the lens of three distinct economic republics. These three periods of American history are distinct in their incredible transformation brought about by technological and subsequent economical changes that also transformed the very way America understands itself.
In her book The Soul of Southern Cooking, Kathy Starr calls soul food "generous and earthy, like the people who created it. I'm not talking about small slivers of skinned chicken breasts surrounded by miniature carrots and radishes cut like roses. I'm talking about something to eat!" In Kansas City you'll never walk out hungry from one of this town's soul food restaurants or buffets. Classic southern cuisine like fried chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, and peach cobbler are soul-soothing dishes. They may not be so good for your waistline, but they're nirvana for your spirit. Food Critic Charles Ferruzza, Emily Farris, Gloria Gale and Mary Bloch explore the best soul foodof the city.
The “Twilight” series was a big hit both on the bestseller list and on the big screen. Now, Stephanie Myer has another adaptation hitting area theaters, “The Host.” Other versions of famous books, “Oz, the Great and Powerful” and “On the Road” are currently at the movies, too. On Central Standard Friday, Russ Simmons, Loey Lockerby, and Eric Melin take a look at the newest films and explore the world of book adaptations.
Kansas City has always been a great place for baked goods. Cakes, pies, cream puffs and breads have all been important to the growth of this town as a cosmopolitan and corpulent community. On this episode of Central Standard FridayCharles Ferruzza, Mary Bloch, Emily Farris, and Gloria Gale extend their forks to all parts of the metro to uncover the best bakeries offering the most decadent doughnuts, the crustiest baguettes, and the flakiest cinnamon rolls.
As St. Patrick's Day approaches next week, the 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' t-shirts are getting pulled out of the closets and shamrocks will plaster the city. Kansas City has a special relationship with Irish culture that goes hand in hand with the city's narrative.
Buffets: you either love them or hate them. And in a tough economy, the idea of an all-you-can meal can sound alluring, even if the choices can be more about quantity than quality. On today's Central Standard Friday, we'll fill our plates up with suggestions for the best, the cheapest and the most unusual buffets in Kansas City. Today's food critics are host Charles Ferruzza, Chris Becicka, Mary Bloch and Emily Farris.
The 85th annual Academy Awards are now history. Hollywood’s most glamorous event was yet another extravaganza of self-congratulation. We take a look at favorites slighted and just rewards reaped. And we discuss the significance of Seth MacFarlane performance as host. Movie critics Russ Simmons, Marie Asner and John Tibbotstake us through the Oscars and this moth's latest releases.
There are a number of social land mines that can be tripped in restaurants. How is the best way to handle a declined credit card, or when do you send something back to the kitchen? On Central Standard Friday food critics Charles Ferruzza, Mary Bloch, Emily Farris and Gloria Gale tackle this subject and all the new restaurants of KC.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations is our federal police force, “to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States." However, in that mission the FBI has investigated its own citizens, even it's own presidents. Pulitzer prize winning author Tim Weiner discusses the complicated history of the FBI.
With Valentine's Day approaching, the restaurant industry is gearing up to flirt with taste buds and create romance at the table. On the most romantic day of the year can create a lot of pressure to choose the right restaurant to enjoy a great meal with a loved one, so today on Central Standard Fridays, The Food Critics talk about the most romantic dining spots in Kansas City.
The movie critics take a look at recent releases from Tinseltown. Together Russ Simmons, Fox 4; John Tibbots, professor of film at KU, and Eric Melin, Scene Stealers explore the depiction of torture in Zero Dark Thirty the craft of horror in Mama and interesting surprises from Warm Bodies.
