Where the Chefs Go: Colby & Megan Garrelts
By Jenny Vergara
Named America’s next great culinary destination by Saveur magazine, Kansas City is a food destination on the rise. But where do locals like to eat? We asked local chefs to dish on their favorite places to eat out.
Kansas City’s culinary power couple is chef Colby Garrelts and his wife—and talented pastry chef—Megan Garrelts who have two restaurants and two children to keep them busy. Colby is also a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Midwest in 2013. At their restaurant, Bluestem, you can choose from a formal three, five or 10-course tasting menu where the delicious and artful plates will delight you as much as the spot-on wine pairings. But at their second restaurant, Rye, the couple is keeping it casual with a Midwest mindset serving fried chicken and barbecue along with a tempting piece of pie.
Favorite Barbecue
Owning their own restaurants, Colby and Megan make a point to support other locally owned restaurants in Kansas City. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-b-que, formerly known as Oklahoma Joe’s, fits that bill. The Garrelts enjoy the Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich topped with spicy coleslaw and Bubba’s sauce. l Three locations – Kansas City, KS; Olathe and Leawood
Favorite Bakery
Being a pastry chef, Megan appreciates the delicious and homespun pastries from Chef Erin Brown’s kitchen at Dolce Baking. This is a place that everyone in her family can find something to love. “Get their cinnamon rolls and blueberry scones when they are still warm from the oven.” l 3930 W 69th Terr. in Prairie Village
Favorite French Restaurant
The couple agrees that Café Provence is the place to go to get great classical French dishes, in a traditional bistro setting. “We like the pan-seared Dover sole meunière and the French onion soup.” l 3936 W 69th Terr. in Prairie Village