The Founders’ Lounge is open before most evening shows featured at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. In order to operate a sustainable service for our arts patrons, we must meet a minimum threshold of reservations to operate for each date scheduled for service. Walk-in diners are welcome, but the Founders’ Lounge needs a guaranteed amount of visitors to make the model work. We greatly appreciate your consideration in making a reservation.
For the Table
House-Smoked Trout Rillette | $14
Rye Crisp, Horseradish Cream, Pickled Red Onion
Duck Confit Croquette | $15
Pickled Cranberry, Celery Root Remoulade, Orange Zest Aioli
Cabbage-Wrapped Barley & Vegetable Terrine | $15
Smoked Tomato Coulis, Winter Herbs
Soups & Salads
Roasted Beet & Pomegranate Salad* | $13
Golden Beet, Citrus-Infused Ricotta, Pomegranate, Aged Garlic-Orange Vinaigrette, Pistachio Brittle, Watercress & Frisée
Barley & Charred Cabbage Salad | $13
Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Smoked Pecans, Goat Cheese Crumble
Chef’s Seasonal Soup | $10
*Saint Luke’s Health System recommended heart-healthy option
Plates
Braised Beef Cheeks with Juniper Jus | $28
Parsnip Purée, Roasted Oyster Mushrooms, Pickled Cranberry
Red Wine Braise Chicken | $26
Glazed Pearl Onions, Wild Mushroom, Lardons Truffled Potato Purée
Hazelnut Crusted Salmon | $30
Charred Cabbage, Toasted Hazelnut, Celeriac-Black Garlic Vinaigrette
Rustic Winter Ragu with Radiatori | $25
Fresh Pasta, Pork Cheek, Winter Vegetables, Rosemary, Black Olive Crumb
Winter Root Cassoulet | $24 (V)
White Beans, Smoked Root Vegetables, Roasted Mushroom, Herb Crumb, Rosemary Oil
Finale
Choco Ginger Cake | $15
Earl Grey Milk, Chocolate Mousse, Merlot Poached Pear, Sesame Brittle
Cranberry Meringue Tart | $15
Baklava Crumble, Saffron Orange Coulis
Chai Iced Mandarin Cake | $15
Caramelized Chestnut Ice Cream, Honeycomb Crunch
Barrel-Aged Cocktails
KS Manhattan | $18
Union Horse Reunion Rye • Carpano Antica Vermouth • St. George Bruto Americano •
O’Murdock | $18
West Bottoms Kansas City Whiskey • Big O Ginger Liqueur •
Lime Juice
Garden Party Negroni | $18
Tom’s Town Garden Party Gin • Contratto Bitters • Rossa Amara Blood Orange Amaro
Harvest | $18
Holladay Red Wheat Whiskey • St. George Spiced Pear • Noveis Amaro
Founders’ Lounge Cocktails
Full Bar, Wine and Beer Selection
Welcome to the Kauffman Center | $12
Somerset Ridge Citron • Boozy Botanical Classic Rose Simple • Antonutti Prosecco
Red Kingdom | $14
Bronson’s Original Punch • Of the Earth Cherry Liqueur
Structure Fire | $15
GEM & BOLT Mezcal • Korean Barley Tea • Naranja • Lime Juice
Vesper | $16
ANNX 600 Acre Vodka • ANNX Boat House Gin • Somerset Ridge Citron
Orchard Fashioned | $18
Of the Earth Apple Brandy • Cranberry & Pommard Liqueurs • Louisburg Apple Cider
Kansas City Old Fashioned | $18
Of the Earth Cherry Liqueur • Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
Choice of Kansas City Whiskey:
Holladay Bourbon • West Bottoms Kansas City • Union Horse Reserve Bourbon • ANNX Collection Blended • Restless Spirits Stone Breaker • Of the Earth River Shanty Rye • Tom’s Town Royal Gold Bourbon • Union Horse Long Shot • Lifted Spirits Madeira Cask Rye • J. Rieger Kansas City • Union Horse Reunion Rye • Leavenworth Distilling Bourbon • Holladay Red Wheat • Tom’s Town Double Oaked Bourbon • Restless Spirits Gully Town Single Malt • J. Rieger Bourbon • Union Horse Rolling Standard
Missouri Mule | $13
Lime Juice • Ginger Beer
Choice of Kansas City Vodka:
Lifted Spirits Brilliant • J. Rieger Premium Wheat • 360 •
Restless Spirits Duffy’s Run • Tom’s Town Double Grain • ANNX 600 Acre •
Union Horse Rider • Leavenworth Distilling
Benay’s Cinnamon Old Fashioned | $18
Restless Spirits Cinnamon Stone Breaker Whiskey • Of the Earth Cherry Liqueur • Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao • Turbinado Syrup
Kirsch Spritz | $14
Death Apple • Wisniak Cherry • Mi Terruno Expression Brut
Crossroads Paloma | $15
Mean Mule Silver • Pamplemousse Liqueur • Lime Juice
Bee’s Knees | $15
Local Honey • Lemon Juice
Choice of Kansas City Gin:
Tom’s Town Garden Party • Restless Spirits Builders • Lifted Spirits Bright •
Leavenworth Distilling • Of the Earth Gin No. 1 • J. Rieger Midwestern •
Tom’s Town Botanical • ANNX Boat House Gin • Restless Spirits Builders Rosemary Lavender •
Lifted Spirits Bold • Mean Mule Agave • Tom’s Town Barreled
Pendergast | $16
J. Rieger Bourbon • Dolin Vermouth Rouge • Benedictine
Paper Plane | $14
Four Roses Bourbon • Contratto Bitters • Amara Blood Orange Amaro • Lemon Juice
The Dizzy Dude Abides | $12
Dizzy Three Espresso Vodka • Fresh Cream
Kauffman Nightcap | $12
Chef Infused Vanilla Vodka • Sunora Bacanora Mocha • Of the Earth Coffee Liqueur
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Iced Tea | $3.50
Sweet Ginger Iced Tea | $4
Classic Southern Sweet Tea with Fresh Ginger
Hot Tea | $5
Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite | $5
Acqua Panna | $5
Perrier | $5
Seasonal Mocktail | $6
Sanpellegrino | $6
Limonata, Aranciata (orange), Aranciata Rossa (blood orange), Pompelmo (grapefruit), Arancia & Fico d’India, Melograno & Arancia
From the Barista
Coffee | $4
Add Five Farms Irish Cream, Kahlúa, Frangelico or Amaretto for $6
Disclaimer
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Allergy Warning: Menu items may contain or come into contact with wheat, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, sesame, peanuts or tree nuts. Ask our staff for more information.
We politely decline any modifications or substitutions.
Parties of 8 or more will have 20% gratuity added.
DF = Dairy Free GF = Gluten Free, V = Vegetarian
Make a Reservation
Reserve your table at the Founders’ Lounge today.
Directions & Parking to the Kauffman Center Restaurant
Allow yourself enough time to arrive, park and delight in a pre-performance meal featuring exquisite yet casual modern-American cuisine steps from your seat at the Kauffman Center restaurant Founders’ Lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll find the Founders’ Lounge just within the south doors of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Be sure to check our calendar for open dates and times.
You are more than welcome to dine with us, whether or not you plan on attending an event at the Kauffman Center. However, our hours of operation are tailored around performance times. Reservations are recommended. Walk-in dining is offered depending on availability.
Much depends on the food you order and your desired experience. However, in general you should plan on up to an hour and a half for a party of up to four people in size who are having appetizers, dinner and dessert.
We are very limited for spacing on large parties. If you plan on having 5 or more people, please email dining@kauffmancenter.org with your inquiry. We will always do our best to accommodate our patrons; however, seating for larger parties will depend on availability.
Just as with our patrons for performances, restaurant patrons arrive in all styles of dress. Business casual is usually a safe bet if you’re concerned. Any other dress code requirements meet the obligations required by Kansas City restaurant laws and codes.
We kindly request that if you need to cancel your reservation, please do so 48 hours prior to your reservation time.