Dinner at The Providence New American Kitchen at the Hilton President in Downtown Kansas City
Aaron, Caleb, Tara, and I are in downtown Kansas City because later this evening, we are meeting Matthew and his wife Jaclynn at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City to see the premier of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Arriving early, we realized we hadn’t eaten anything and picked a nearby restaurant that had decent reviews; the Providence New American Kitchen at the Hilton President.
The verdict: It was good, the price was more than reasonable (I think after sales tax and tip, it worked out to $35 or less per person), the food was well-presented, the atmosphere was comfortable, the server nice, but we all walked away – and this is the weirdest thing – feeling ambivalent about it. The more we think about it, the more we liked it, and when we discuss our individual dishes, we were all happy, but it’s like something out of a fairy tale where there’s magic at work – none of us have any desire, nor objection, to returning in the future. It’s just sort of … there. Which makes no sense given how satisfactory everything was. And it was all of us; this was not something that I was feeling by myself. That is what makes it even stranger. I can find no explanation for it.
So, would I recommend it? I … don’t know. Maybe Will Smith showed up halfway through dinner and wiped out minds a la Men In Black style? Tara said it well: “The more I think about it, I liked it”. That sums it up nicely.
The outside of the Hilton President Hotel, which is home to the Providence New American Kitchen …
I didn’t take a picture of the entire dining room but this is the official promo image for the restaurant. It looked just like it’s shown. It felt nice inside.
The meat and cheese board was … okay. It was nothing special; definitely the most disappointing offering.
I had the Apple Wood smoked meatloaf with sour cream mashed potatoes and wild mushroom gravy. It was very good.
Aaron and Caleb had Kobe style burgers with beemster cheese, shallot jam, on a salt and pepper bun …
Tara had the boulevard battered shrimp with handmade chips and remoulade …
We all had the deconstructed S’mores for dessert …
Reader Comments (8)
Comments are presented chronologically, with replies indented beneath the comments to which they respond.
RC
November 10, 2013
Do you suppose the reason it was a rather forgettable affair (albeit it being good if you thought it through) is due to your newly cultivated skill in gourmet cooking? The experience isn't particularly spectacular now that you are capable of replicating the dishes at home, compared to before when there is a certain aspect of wonder and marvel because gourmet cooking was something you didn't master and hence was glad to pay someone in exchange for their skills in preparing gourmet dishes.
Joshua Kennon
November 10, 2013
Replying to RC
That would make sense; it's definitely possible.
Gilvus
November 11, 2013
Replying to Joshua Kennon
It's like decimal creep for your palate.
Karina Suarez
November 10, 2013
Seems like a pricey but not justifiable menu.
Ian Francis
November 11, 2013
This immediately made me think of Doctor Who and The Master / Harold Saxon with his hypnotic rhythm. Was able to get people to vote for him, but no one knew why. Perhaps you are being influenced and don't even know it!
-Ian Francis
John Tate
November 11, 2013
Do you have any recommendations for a good place for a Thanksgiving meal in OKC? I'm stuck in Fort Sill, OK for the time being.
Joshua Kennon
November 24, 2013
Replying to John Tate
I don't, unfortunately. Other than passing through a few times, I've never been in Oklahoma City long enough to try many of the restaurants. When in doubt, I'd go to TripAdvisor, sort by $$$ or $$$$ price level restaurants, re-rank by highest favorable reviews, the look at the pictures of the food. For example, if I run it myself, it shows something called the Paseo Grill as the highest choice based on that cross-selection, and the food look delicious. It's also rated #5 out of 1,374 restaurants in OKC overall, in any price bracket, so it would be my first choice, but I haven't experienced it first hand (the next time I'm in town, it's now on my list, though). Then, to double check, I'd cross reference the listing with Urbanspoon.
There are actually several restaurants on that list I'd try - Cheever's Cafe also looks very promising.
I wish I could be more help. Good luck!
Alexis C
November 12, 2013
I think the challenge for upscale restaurants right now is striking the balance between food being appealing vs. gourmet. While a hamburger can be extremely good, it probably won't be transformative. So how do you cater to the people who want remarkable, memorable food without alienating those who just want well done comfort, americana food?