The Downtown Dish is your virtual opportunity to sit down with Downtown KC chefs, bartenders, baristas, retailers, and artists over lunch each week. It serves up what’s new, in the works, and on the menu in the re-emerging Downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment scenes.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of new episodes and check out past episodes below.
Downtown Dish Episodes
Get out and enjoy this gorgeous fall weather in downtown KC! Shawn Tolivar stops by to share his favorite downtown parks for a picnic, recreation or simply enjoying nature. And it may be the first of October, but it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving! Local Pig’s Alex Pope shares how you can reserve your Thanksgiving turkey, plus other yummy fall picks at Local Pig and Pigwich. Get the scoop on upcoming events, including Bird is the Word and Mean Mule’s Tiki Tuesday. Music by Crystal Rose featuring her new EP, “Arena.”
Anyone else need a break? This week on the Downtown Dish, host Katy Schamberger shows you two downtown escapes. First, meet Brandon Gibson, who’s introducing Kansas City to Caribbean soul food — no packing required! Then, Joshua Wilson takes us inside MMSC, a River Market retail shop that doubles as a chill, low-key man cave: everyone’s welcome! Plus, get news from The Rieger, City Market, Curbside Notary & more! Music: Amado Espinoza
It’s a beautiful day to get out and explore downtown Kansas City! Our host, Katy Schamberger, chats with Lisa Pena, founder of Urban Hikes Kansas City. She’ll show you a new view of downtown KC and dishes on her favorite post-hiking spots to fuel up! Plus, Chentell Shannon gives us a sneak peek of her new Crossroads gift shop, VERDANT, ahead of the Saturday grand opening. We pick a Downtown Marriott tailgate winner, news from the KC Public Library, Pitch Burger Week & more!
The Downtown Dish debuts at its new time: 5:30p Thursdays! Join us for a virtual happy hour celebration that includes all of the downtown food & drink you need for your Chiefs watch parties and homegating celebrations! Plus, J. Rieger & Co.’s Andrew Olsen dishes on the KC Ice Water cocktail, Visit KC is back with a new Tap Tour & find out how to win a homegating prize from the downtown Marriott!
Join host Katy Schamberger for some big Downtown Dish news! We want you to be part of the celebration, so tune in for all of the details. Plus, news from the National World War I Museum + Memorial and the scoop on downtown’s newest pop-up furniture store!
Episode 16: Brunch & Brats
August 28, 2020
Four months of the Downtown Dish! Hurray! This week, we give you important brunch news from The Homesteader Cafe’s Megan Kendall. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy our chat with Katrin Heuser, co-owner of Affare, who offers a look behind the scenes at their carryout menu and what some Americans get wrong about German cuisine. PLUS: the debut of Dishing with Katy, a new segment where we bring downtown KC food, drink & discoveries directly to your table. Music: Enrique Chi and Making Movies. This episode is dedicated to Chef Nick Vella, 1988-2020. You filled our bellies and hearts. Thank you
Episode 15: Let‘s TACO ’bout It!
August 21, 2020
We’re talkin’ tacos on this week’s episode of the Downtown Dish! Publisher of The Pitch, Stephanie Carey, joins us to chat about Taco Week, which starts Aug. 24. Dave Keith, creator of the Taco the Town podcast, checks in with his taco recommendations and how he decides what tacos to eat (it involves a complex chart!) Plus, we stop by taco restaurants in downtown KCK, on Southwest Boulevard & more!
Episode 14: 816 Day
August 14, 2020
Get ready to celebrate 816 Day! We get the scoop on all of the events happening at 18th & Vine with 816 Day creator, Brian “Bizzy” Benton. Plus, get up-to-speed on everything happening at the National World War I Museum + Memorial w/ President & CEO Matt Naylor. More info on 816 Day specials, music from They Call Me Sauce & more!
Episode 13: Two First Friday Stops
August 7, 2020
Celebrate First Fridays in downtown Kansas City’s Crossroads neighborhood! First, meet Kyle Howard, owner/operator of Oak & Steel, a craft drinkery that encourages bring-your-own carryout food. Then, we’ll stop by Loews Kansas City to catch up with Managing Director Brian Johnson, plus see the newly opened Horsefeather Social in person! News from The Rieger, the City Market, New Roots for Refugees & more!
Episode 12: Negro Leagues Centennial, Cheese Slippers & More
July 31, 2020
A lot to dish about this week! Joel Ball of Ibis Bakery takes us inside a favorite summer tradition, Cheese Slipper Night. We sit down with Bob Kendrick of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to chat about the museum reopening, the Negro Leagues Centennial, and so much more. Grab a hat so you can tip your cap with us!
Episode 11: Outdoor Dining
July 24, 2020
This week we discuss outdoor dining on the Downtown Dish! Watch interviews with DuRon Netsell and Ashley Z. Hand on how they’re helping restaurants take advantage of street and sidewalk extension opportunities. We catch up with Strange Days Brewing Co.’s Chris Beier and Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint General Manager Jake Johnston. Plus, get updates on Midwest Black Restaurant Week, Yoga on the Vine, and the Boulevard Tours & Rec Center. Music by Kadesh Flow.
Episode 10: Shopping & Yoga
July 17, 2020
Host Katy Schamberger gets the scoop on Downtown Kansas City’s newest shopping experience with New Sense of Style founder and owner Chantill Goree. Plus, Natasha Fuller shares how she created Yoga on the Vine, a weekend yoga pop-up. Lastly, The Pitch’s restaurant critic, Liz Cook, dishes on how her writing has changed and where she’s eating. Plus, news from J. Rieger & Co., The Ship, Fringe Fest and more!
Episode 9: City Market
July 10, 2020
This week we chat all things City Market! Host Katy Schamberger catches up with Nikole Ammer, City Market Coffee; Sue Patterson, City Market; and Carlos Mortera of The Bite. Plus, get the lastest on the streetcar’s new look, the 2020 Art in the Loop series, upcoming events & more!
Episode 8: Art in the Loop & VisitKC
July 3, 2020
It’s the two-month anniversary of the Downtown Dish! To celebrate, host Katy Schamberger chats with Ann Holliday and Donna Mandelbaum to get the scoop on all things Art in the Loop. Katy also chats with Jason Fulvi, President & CEO of Visit KC, for a closer look at how Visit KC is navigating a “devastating” landscape and what they’re doing to move forward. Plus, get Fourth of July event updates, details on the new Union Station exhibit, music from Riz Canady and much more!
Episode 7: Spokes & The Pairing
June 26, 2020
Host Katy Schamberger catches up with Dan Walsh, managing partner of Spokes, to see how the cafe/hangout/bike shop is faring during the re-opening. Plus, watch the show’s first interview on location, filmed at The Pairing. While Katy chats with Mat “Slimm” Adkins and Jeff Jones, they enjoy wine that’s only available in the U.S. at The Pairing. Plus, WWE artist-in-residence, Rob Schamberger, unveils a new painting for a great local cause & much more!
Episode 6: Restaurants
June 19, 2020
Host Katy Schamberger catches up with David Lopez of Manny’s and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association; Chef Liz Huffman, executive chef of The Majestic; and Sig Tomeldan, a five-year downtown resident who chats with us over a meal at Charisse. Plus, get updates from The Bite, Spokes, Commerce Arcade restaurants, as well as a list of local Juneteenth events. This episode features music from Tim “Blackfingers” Ogutu.
Episode 5: Union Station, Pizza & Jazz
June 12, 2020
Host Katy Schamberger chats with Union Station CEO George Guastello, finds out why Nick Vella started a carryout pizzeria in his house, and how Shay Moore is helping the American Jazz Museum (which opens soon!) Plus, get news from Strange Days Brewing Co., resources to support Black-owned Kansas City businesses, a new concert series coming to 8th & Broadway and pop-up shopping on Delaware Street in the River Market!
Episode 4: First Friday
June 5, 2020
Host Katy Schamberger chats with David Johnson, Crossroads Community Association; Moriah Hillson, ArtsKC; and Chef Celina Tio, The Belfry. You’ll get the scoop on what’s ahead for First Fridays and how The Belfry has found success in curbside service. Plus, get more info on important resources including the KC Public Library’s anti-racism reading list, two apps to easily discover black-owned Kansas City businesses, and where to join the Juneteenth KC kick-off.
Episode 3: Power & Light, Crossroads Community Kitchen
May 29, 2020
This week, Downtown Dish host Katy Schamberger sits down with Rachel Waller of the KC Power & Light District, Kyle Gardner with the Crossroads Community Kitchen and Chandler and Craig of the Tiny Table Carryout Club! Get the scoop on all this and more happening in downtown Kansas City.
Pilot Episode: The Scoop on KC Food, Drink & More!
May 15, 2020
The pilot episode features interviews with Sue Patterson on the reopening of the City Market, Barry Tunnell, general manager of Tannin Wine Bar + Kitchen, and Danielle Lehman of CurbsideKC and Open Belly podcast offers her favorite Downtown carryout meals.
The Downtown Council – along with the Downtown Neighborhood Association, KC Streetcar, Lynchpin Ideas, and Katy Schamberger – founded the weekly Downtown Dish web series in May 2020, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kansas City. It serves as a weekly update on the dining scene – complete with interviews of locals chefs and critics, along with news of carryout and curbside updates, tastings and general promotional support.
To keep doing the good work, we need your help. Help us to further invest in the quality and consistency of Downtown Dish programming – including compensation for our volunteer Dish host, Katy Schamberger and to directly support the KC Restaurant scene with gift cards.
We hope you can make a financial gift to help us elevate the Downtown Dish into an even more effective vehicle for raising awareness and increasing carryout and curbside traffic to Downtown KC restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops!
Say hello to the KC Carryout Challenge.
The challenge is simple. Every Wednesday from January through March 2021, place a carryout or delivery order from a Downtown eatery. That’s it!
The KC Carryout Challenge promotes carryout or delivery service from Downtown area eating and drinking establishments. Diners not only will benefit from delicious and innovative winter delights, but also by supporting their favorite restaurant, bar, etc. As a bonus, participating customers may enter a weekly drawing for a $50 dining gift card. From January through March, that adds up to 13 weekly chances to win.
Downtown area restaurants and bars need our support more than ever. The pandemic has rocked the restaurant and foodservice world, and the situation will only worsen as winter begins. As we prepare for the winter chill, we challenged ourselves to find an innovative solution for our neighbors in the food and beverage world.
The KC Carryout Challenge will unfold every Wednesday from Jan. 6 through Mar. 31 at Downtown area restaurants, bars, etc. Greater Downtown KC reaches from State Line east to Woodland Road, and the Riverfront south to 31st Street.
For a chance to win a $50 gift dining gift card, simply take a picture of your food order each Wednesday and post it that day to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #kccarryoutchallenge (don’t forget to also tag @downtowndishkc). The winner will be announced on the next episode of the Downtown Dish.
Click here for a current list of restaurants and bars in greater Downtown and start planning your own KC Carryout Challenge itinerary! And, don’t forget: KC Restaurant Week runs Jan. 8-17 and includes several Downtown-area restaurants, many of which are offering carryout and delivery options.