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.
For the Table
Boulevard Beer & Smoked Gouda | $12
Soft Pretzels, Crudité
Tomato Tartare | $14
Local Tomatoes, Tapenade, Green Dirt Farm Cheese, Lotus Chips
Parmesan Herbed Focaccia | $8
Balsamic and Olive Oil
Cheese & Charcuterie Board | $26
Fruit, Local Honey, Giardiniera, Beer Mustard, Crackers & Lavash
Parmesan Garlic Frites | $8
Siracha Aioli, Ketchup
Soups & Salads
Autumn Harvest Salad (GF) (V) | $12
Sweet Potato, Dried Cherries, Wheat Berries, Granny Smith Apples, Arugula, Spiced Pecans, Apple Maple Vinaigrette, Duck Fat Black Pepper Cracker
Grilled Baby Gem Lettuce Caesar | $14
Focaccia Croutons, Parmesan, Caesar Dressing
Chef’s Seasonal Soup | $10
Plates
Brandon’s Lasagna (V)* | $18
Brazil Nut Crumble, Basil Oil, Marinara
Pan Roasted Wild Caught Salmon | $25
White Balsamic Reduction, Warm Quinoa, Kale, Lemon Vinaigrette, Pepitas
Wild Boar Ragout | $26
Creamy Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, Jalapeno Fricco
Ancho Coffee Salt Creek Farm Flat Iron | $27
Chimichurri, Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Chili Lime Grilled Broccolini
*Saint Luke’s Health System recommended heart-healthy option.
Finale
Brown Butter Mochi | $15
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ice Cream, Star Anise, Candied Pineapple, Black Sesame Sauce
Chocolate Dacquoise | $15
Vietnamese Coffee Ganache, Blood Orange Curd, Pumpkin Spice Latte Pepita Brittle
Elderflower Yuzu Meringue Tart | $15
Morello Cherry Ice Cream, Almond Crunch Crumble
Cocktails
Full Bar, Wine and Beer Selection
Welcome to Kauffman | $12
Somerset Ridge Citron • Boozy Botanical Classic Rose • Antonutti Prosecco
Bee’s Knees | $14
Blackberry Hill Farms Honey • Kauffman Orchard Meyer Lemon
Choice of Kansas City Gin:
Tom’s Town Garden Party • Restless Spirits Builders Barrel Finished • Lifted Spirits Bright • Of the Earth Gin No 1 • J. Rieger Midwestern • ANNX Boat House • Restless Spirits Builders • Tom’s Town Botanical
Kansas City Old Fashioned | $16
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 • J. Rieger Kansas City • Of the Earth Rye • Lifted Spirits Madeira Cask Rye • Tom’s Town Royal Gold Bourbon • ANNX Moon Age Straight Bourbon • Union Horse Reunion Rye • Holladay Red Wheat • Restless Spirits Gully Town Single Malt
Missouri Mule | $12
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 • Clear 10 • Union Horse Rider
Barrel-Aged Cocktails
Negroni | $16
Tom’s Town Garden Party • Contratto Bitters • Rossa Amara Blood Orange Amaro
KS Manhattan | $16
Union Horse Reunion Rye • Bordiga Vermouth di Torino Rosso • St. George Bruto Americano
Boulevardier | $16
West Bottoms Kansas City Whiskey • Rondo Spritz • Nouveis Amaro
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. GF = Gluten Free, V = Vegetarian
Make a Reservation for Excellence
Reserve your table at the Founders’ Lounge, our Kauffman Center restaurant.
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 are more than welcome to dine with us, whether or not you enjoy the performing arts at the Kauffman Center afterward. However, our hours of operation are tailored around performance times. Though we do accept walk-ins depending on availability, therefore we highly recommend making reservations.
We kindly request that if you need to cancel your reservation, please do so 48 hours prior to your time.
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.
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.
Yes, the Founders’ Lounge serves delicious adult beverages. The Founders’ Lounge at the Kauffman Center specializes in Kansas City-based spirits, for true local flavor. Before your next performance, enjoy pre-show dining at the Kauffman Center and get a taste of Kansas City history, with spirits-makers dating back as early as the late 19th century.