Westside Local! (Kansas City's very own)

"Local is the new Organic!"(it really is)

My dear friend, Jeff Carroll, introduced me to this stellar, new-ish restaurant that opened in 2009, near Westport, Kansas City. "Westside Local" is the name, and it firmly stands up to its reputation for delicious food and local surprises--like, Mussels with chorizo, jalapeno, and lime--and one of the best burgers I've tasted!  I thought I'd just take a bite of Jeff's burger to try it, and then I couldn't stop eating it! (Sorry, Jeff... I know it's your favorite.) I'm smiling just thinking about it.  To boot, I thought about it for 2 full days after, and this quickly places it in the "priceless food" category for me. Okay, I know I'm just talking about a burger here, but it's not just your ordinary burger.  The local ground rib eye is dripping with juice when you bite into it; top that with arugula and an addictive Dijon vinaigrette, all divinely sandwiched between a "farm to market" brioche bun.  I could speak for a few more hours about that brioche bun, but I won't hold you hostage with the extra details of this perfectly sweet bun that offset the salty goodness of the meat.  It's true that I love sweets, so that could be it, but I think it's more the ingenious thoughts that went into the whole ensemble--that did it for me.

Along with the Burger and Mussels, we also devoured the not-so-common Deviled Eggs with an orange vinaigrette, and for dessert: a homemade Pomegranate Panna Cotta, topped with a cardamom anglaise sauce, and candied orange peel (I only wish the picture could do it justice!).  Each dessert is made in house and when possible, all of the ingredients are sourced locally.      
                                                                                   
                                                                                                              
I am excited to go back to try all of their local cheeses and fruits, as well as their infamous Quinoa dish, and their exquisite Mac n Cheese--also made with local cheeses--and highly recommended by our server. 

The memories of that dinner make me feel as though I'm wrapped in a warm blanket of local love! I was eating food that was sourced pretty darn close to where I live.  Everyone that works at "Westside Local" clearly stands out, as their pride and affection pour out of their mouths when describing the dishes. It mirrors what you would imagine the farmers would say about their own food.  The restaurant takes it over-the-top by adding their magical flare and culinary expertise, but the quality of food speaks for itself. Simple is more. This, alone, makes you want to return.  The ambiance is warm, and although I don't recall the lighting exactly, it seemed candles were the only things lighting up the quaint place while illuminating the already glowing food.
(or maybe I'm just still dreaming about that amazing burger!) ... wink!

"Local is so hot right now!  Should we even care?
As a Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner, I recognize the importance of eating high quality food and how that food converts to "good things" in our bodies.  We all hear these things like: "buy organic"... "eat locally"... "fast food is bad!" ...
But(!) why should we eat local or organic foods?  Do we really know and should we care? Is it just because local is "in" right now, or it's the" word on the street" so we'd better get on the trend? Is it really better for us?

Here's the simple answer as I know it:
Local foods just mean that the foods you are eating are sourced locally, in or close to YOUR area.  This means that the time it takes for the food to get from the farm or bakery to your plate is much less than what you would normally get in a commercial grocery store or in restaurants where all of their food is shipped from miles away.  So this means that your food is FRESH! (what a concept!) Fresh equals more delicious--and also means that the nutrients are more intact. Local usually means that fewer preservatives and stabilizers are used to preserve your food in the shipping process.  We all taste a huge difference between an apple that you just picked from a tree versus one that traveled from New Zealand and tastes like meally cardboard. Fresh flavor usually indicates greater nutritional value.

Eating locally also means that you are holding pride and passion for the food that farmers are growing or providing for the community.  This is priceless!! Money spent with local farmers, growers, artisans, and locally-owned purveyors and these local restaurants all stays close to home, working to build your local economy.  We need this!  We've all seen the movies like "Food Inc"  where we hear how farmers are getting controlled by companies like "Monsanto."  If our food and health are in the hands of Monsanto, we are in grave danger.

 Local Foods also usually have less environmental impact. The thousands of miles it takes to ship food and herbs leads to a big carbon footprint. Please look for farmers who follow organic and sustainable growing practices for the best results.

Bottom Line:
Organic is tasty but Organic AND Local is even tastier! (Makes you feel better inside and out).

Run, and love some local fare at "Westside Local"... you won't regret it.
www.thewestsidelocal.com
1663 Summit Street  Kansas City, MO 64108
*A huge thank you goes out to Jeff Carroll for introducing this incredible place, and for also showing me how many other local spots there are here in Kansas City.  I'm fully excited to embark on more local adventures and to stand up for the farm to table movement. 

      

LOVE YOUR LOCAL FOOD; IT WILL LOVE YOU BACK...

~Christy~