Green Dirt on Oak — Restaurant in Kansas City

Green Dirt on Oak Let me start by saying that I have been a fan of Green Dirt Farm from its inception in 2002. The award-winning cheeses are exceptional, the philosophy of humanely raising sheep and sustaining the land while doing so resonates with me. It does not surprise me at all that their new restaurant, Green Dirt on Oak, is housed in a century old building that has been beautifully renovated and serves as a new place to showcase their delicious food. If you are looking for a dining experience that celebrates local flavors and quality ingredients, look no further than Green Dirt on Oak. Their commitment to farm-to-table cuisine shines through in every dish, including their exquisite charcuterie board, which is where I recommend you start.

The charcuterie board is a masterpiece of artisanal craftsmanship, showcasing an array of house-cured meats and pates, Green Dirt Farm cheeses, and thoughtfully selected accompaniments. Each component offers a delightful variety of tastes and textures and is a testament to the chef's dedication to quality and flavor. But what truly sets Green Dirt on Oak's charcuterie board apart is its attention to detail. Freshly baked bread, tangy pickles, whole grain mustard, and dried fruits and nuts are all carefully arranged to complement the meats and cheeses, creating a harmonious palate of flavors.

There are several ways to continue a cheese journey here, but I want to put a plug in for the cheese croquettes. They are made with cheese that has reached it’s aging perfection, and for me, this was the dish that I kept thinking about days later.

If you're a lamb aficionado seeking a dining experience that elevates this succulent meat to new heights, look no further. From the moment you take your first bite, it's clear that the chef takes lamb seriously. Each dish is a masterclass in flavor and technique, showcasing the versatility of this beloved protein in ways you never imagined. The menu contains a celebration of the season's bounty, with each vegetable dish thoughtfully crafted to highlight the natural flavors and textures of locally sourced produce.

Of course, no review would be complete without mentioning the warm, inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. The dining room is large, but the spaces have been divided up into intimate dining areas and the noise is manageable despite the size. Even the bathrooms are amazing! The staff are knowledgeable and attentive, always on hand to offer recommendations or accommodate any dietary preferences.

In sum, if you're looking for a dining experience that celebrates the freshest, most flavorful vegetables of the season, look no further than Green Dirt on Oak. With its commitment to farm-to-table cuisine, impeccable presentation, and warm hospitality, it's a culinary destination that I would...

I recently had a delicious meal at Green Dirt on Oak and would like to give it my highest praise. I am familiar with Green Dirt Farm’s award-winning cheese, have eaten grilled cheese and charcuterie at the Green Dirt Creamery, and have enjoyed a number of farm-to-table dinners at their farm in Weston, so this isn’t my first Green Dirt rodeo. The ethos of the enterprise is consistent: treat the land well, the animals well, the people well, and deliciousness ensues (that may not be how they would express it!). Green Dirt on Oak continues this tradition in a casual-fine-dining environment. First the setting: the restaurant is gorgeous, in a restored early 20th century garage/commercial space. The kitchen, coffee-bar, shop, and casual dining area is on the first floor, then upstairs (passing by a great view of a busy kitchen) is the bar and restaurant. It is a large space but not cavernous; the tables are arranged carefully to create lots of private-seeming areas—one of my favorite is a round booth that I’m told is called the “hot tub”. The noise level is not too loud. The tables are large (the better to share a charcuterie board) and the seats are comfortable. The staff is obviously new (the restaurant’s only been open a few weeks) but they are professional and friendly. Our waitress knew the components of the dishes and was happy to share her favorites when asked. I wanted to try everything, but alas there are limits!

Of course there is a strong cheese theme! We started with a large charcuterie board that featured several GDF cheeses: the Prairie Tomme, a Tuffet, some Wooly Rind and fresh sheep’s cheese. Meats included a delicious pate, some (not my grandmother’s) chicken liver mousse and several salamis. Bread, crackers, fruits and nuts made for a delicious presentation. Admittedly I was a bit full before the main meal started! I really enjoyed the cheese croquettes (that use cheese too ripe to have a shelf-life for retail sale), the feta on the beet salad, and the house fries with the prairie tomme aioli. The lamb tartare had a surprising flavor profile; made with fish sauce and mint, it tasted more mediterranean than the traditional versions. The lamb mole (served with local Yoli tortillas) was really rich and flavorful; strongly recommend!

The bar is efficient , and with a good selection of house-made cocktails. I really liked the Fig Jam Old Fashioned (it’s a bit sweeter than many) and the Feliz, a mezcal-based sour was a table favorite. The wine list is small and quirky and a good value. We had a Slovenian white that reminded me of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc and a Corsican rose.

If you enjoy farm-to-table experiences, you won’t want to...

I have been looking forward to going to this restaurant because I am a fan of their cheese. I was excited to try them for brunch.

The expresso was disappointing calling it lukewarm would be too generous it didn’t even melt the cube of sugar that was provided. The warm Americano however was well made. Our intentions were to start with the brussels sprouts which was the most underwhelming plate of brussels I have had in a long time. They were under seasoned and came with a spring onion pesto that was just lacking all around. We ordered the hash and the lamb burger both were overall very good. The potatoes in the hash were well seasoned, the veggies were yummy and a welcomed surprise and the sunny side egg was perfection. The lamb burger was delicious and the fries were crisp.

The service was atrocious and took so long. They were not busy and there was a waitress that I watched provide excellent service to her tables while our waiter completely ignored us. He did not greet us. He fumbled through the two specials (bread pudding and crostata) his description of the bread pudding made me change my mind about ordering it. He never checked on our table would literally walk by our table multiple times without even slowing down or making eye contact to see if everything was okay. He didn’t offer to refill our drinks we had to flag him down to get a refill. He forgot one of our drinks initially and when the manager came to ask how was everything which was interesting since no food had been served we let him know a drink was missing. He was apologetic and said he would take care of it. Instead after probably another 10 minutes all the food (appetizer and entrees) were brought to the table at once. At that the time the waiter mentioned the forgotten drink was brought to his attention and that he was going to get it which took another 5-10 minutes. Then he disappeared again. I do want to give credit to the hostess she was welcoming - greeted us as soon as we walked in and took us to our table.

At this price point $100+ for 3 people at brunch I shouldn’t have to beg for service especially when I am watching our waiter’s counterpart being attentive and providing great service to her tables.

Even though the food was good the service was so bad that this will be my first and last visit to Green Dirt there are so many new and different places in the city that I cant justify spending the time and money...