City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (816) 842-2202

Address: 1900 Main St.

Description: Chef-owner Michael Smith first came on the Kansas City scene in 1994 as half of a talented team with then-wife Debbie Gold that wowed guests at the American Restaurant. In 1999 the couple shared the James Beard Best Chef in the Midwest award, a first for Kansas City. In 2002 they left the cozy confines of the American to open their own place, 40 Sardines, in Leawood, Kansas, and turned this urban location into a hot destination. Their breakup rocked the foodie world again in 2006. Michael opened his own self-named place in the Crossroads, adding a more casual tapas place next door called Extra Virgin a short time later. (Meanwhile, Debbie returned triumphantly to the American.) Are your eyes crossed yet? The more sophisticated space, Michael Smith, remains the place to be on First Fridays when the neighborhood becomes one big art gallery walk. Michael continues his focus on Mediterranean fare: a little Spanish, a soupçon of French, a dash of Italian. Tender braised rabbit is served with gnocchi, morels, and persillade; a Spanish serrano ham salad comes with avocado, frisee, and aged sherry vinegar and olive oil dressing; slow roasted pork is joined by a scallion risotto, blistered tomatoes, and marinated goat cheese. Meanwhile, Extra Virgin’s small plates and decor reflect the happy colors, aromas, and tastes from Spain and Italy—burnt sienna, saffron, and red—with braised meats and fresh pastas. The restaurant has an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, good-sized bar, and patio out front that is a popular spot for the beautiful crowd.