Providence New American Kitchen — Restaurant in Kansas City

This restaurant is kind of a shame. It's in a wonderful old hotel that could and would support a fine (or even semi-fine...or even just ok) dining experience. The food is unremarkable. The room resembles a college cafeteria (albeit, a nice college) or Panera, but it could be so much nicer. They're totally understaffed (as it has been every time I've been there over the past 3 years) with just one waitress (VICTORIA!) who was a real champ in cheerfully and exhaustingly servicing an entire room with no support staff at all (busboys, host/hostess, etc.). Hilton should either commit to staffing and making this a place that one would actually want to go (and return) to, or close it. They certainly should stop promoting it as a "pure, unmistakable KC experience" unless experiencing Kansas City means waiting in a lackluster room for a marginal meal with no wait staff in sight. Saying that, however, let me be clear. Our waitress Victoria was amazing in doing her best to serve an entire restaurant with no help whatsoever. Hilton should promote her. (Or any restaurateur who wants a top-notch server should hire her...

Overall, Providence is just OK. Our server was initially aggressive, but after the entrees arrived, we did not see him for quite a while, which delayed ordering another glass of Malbec. The food was creative, but each dish was one simple step away from perfection. The cheese curds were fried at too low of a temperature, resulting in a soft, oily mouth feel; however, the presentation and other flavors on the plate were quite well balanced and delicious. The arugula salad lack any sweetness to balance out the deep flavors of the greens; however, the aged cheddar and hint of smokiness were lovely. The mushroom lasagna was beautifully plated and well-prepared; however, the dish comes across as very bland, even with salt added at the table. The brightness of the garlic chip garnish only slightly corrected this. The star of the evening was the Gnocci. It was beautifully prepared and presented, well-balanced with numerous layers of flavor. We will look forward to trying other eateries in the same area before returning. When we return, we will know to order...

HEY Kansas City! Let me tell you about a hidden gem in downtown Kansas City...You can find the Providence New American Kitchen inside of the Hilton President Hotel in downtown Kansas City. This kitchen is re-opening & has some SPECTACULAR items on their menu including: prosciutto pancetta, chicken wings, loaded nachos, perfectly cooked salmon, mouthwatering shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, & more. You can't complete your meal without one of their desserts! We enjoyed the ice cream flight that included 3 tastes from Betty Rae's. Did I mention the adorable & fancy adult beverages? When you are done with your meal, check out the Drum Room or even stay in one of the rooms. Providence New American Kitchen is a great spot to go on a date, for a business meeting, or even to grab & go. Do NOT miss out on this spot if you are staying in the hotel. Add this spot to your Kansas City bucket list today! The service was great, the place was super clean, and the vibe...