Dear Donna combines fine dining with chill weekend brunch
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Same look outside, very different inside. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Casual brunch meets James Beard-nominated cuisine at Dear Donna, a new restaurant near downtown KC.
Why it matters: The concept replaces Happy Gillis, a long-time and well-loved breakfast and lunch spot tucked into the Columbus Park neighborhood.
Zoom in: Husband and wife duo Johnny and Helen Jo Leach, the same team behind KC's popular The Town Company restaurant, opened Dear Donna at 549 Gillis St. this month.
- Johnny has been a James Beard semifinalist chef for the past four years, while Helen Jo has made the list for desserts for the past two years.
Dig in: The menu is small, with three salads, a few main courses, and two desserts. Don't worry, you can also order a side of fries ($6).
- I tried the egg sandwich ($14), made with hashbrowns baked into a cracker for a lovely crunch I didn't know I needed.
- The almond cake was a star, a moist slice with sweet passionfruit frosting and candied kumquats that added texture and zest ($12).
- And yes, there are alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
The vibe: The airy interior and pastel colors are a minimalist departure from the clutter of the previous business, setting the fine-dining tone.
- But it's still surprisingly homey and casual: The silverware comes in a plastic basket, and Johnny strolls around mingling with guests (when it's not too busy).
My thought bubble: I was in and out in 30 minutes and was totally satisfied. But it's the type of place you can also bring a book and sit by the table, as I saw one diner doing.
If you go: It's open Thursday–Sunday, 10am–3pm.