The Antler Room
Mediterranean meets Midwest at this husband-and-wife-run spot.
GO HERE: if you need convincing that some of the most exciting cooking in America is happening far from the urban centers of New York and L.A. This is what happens when a husband and wife—Nicholas and Leslie Goellner—travel around the country, (him) cooking at and (her) managing restaurants, before returning to their hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, to open the ideal neighborhood spot.
ORDER THE: bigoli (similar to bucatini) with braised rabbit—or really, any of the pastas (maltagliati, ravioli-like doppio), all of which are made in-house and exemplary. If the large-format duck, served with flatbread and fermented honey, is on the menu, it’s irresistible.
THE VIBE IS: convivial and cool, with wood-paneled walls and garage-style doors that open to the street. This is the place to be right now in Kansas City.
GETTING IN: all but requires a reservation to grab a table in the 32-seat dining room, but if you walk in, chances are you can snag a stool at the long bar. (Bonus: From the bar room, you can peek into the kitchen.)
HISTORY LESSON: The restaurant’s name is an homage to the Antlers Club, a raucous saloon that operated in KC’s West Bottoms neighborhood in the 1930s.
