T’ähä Mexican Kitchen
Bursting onto the Kansas City restaurant scene with flavor and flair, the Plaza's newest dining destination is rooted in a rich Mexican indigenous heritage that can be seen in its design and experienced in its taste. T’ähä Mexican Kitchen quite literally means “dream,” a reflection of Chef Fidel Gomez’s 25-year pursuit to acquaint the Midwest with a taste of his home.
Gomez immigrated from Hidalgo, Mexico, and worked as a dishwasher at local Mexican restaurants. After opening his own restaurants and serving the communities of Branson and Hollister for over 20 years, Gomez turned his sights toward Kansas City. T’ähä aims to bring tradition and quality ingredients to the forefront using ancestral recipes.
“We are a true scratch kitchen,” Operations Manager José Gomez said. “Everything from our tortillas, moles, and salsas are made in-house using quality ingredients. Some of our recipes are from my own grandmother.”
Their mole rojo and mole verde sauces are both made in-house using Gomez’s grandmother’s recipes. They each take 24 ingredients and several hours to make. One of their signature dishes is the lamb barbacoa. Traditionally wrapped in maguey leaves and buried along with hot coals, Chef Gomez uses different techniques to pull off the same flavor.
“We can’t exactly dig holes along Roanoke Parkway, but we’ve focused on seasoning the lamb with mesquite flavors and pairing it with our homemade hummus,” José said. “If you were to ask any Mexican where the best lamb barbacoa in all of Mexico is served, they would tell you Hidalgo.”
Even down to their cocktail menu, T’ähä goes the extra mile in providing customers with the best and most thoughtful ingredients. Instead of flavoring their margarita with artificial flavors, they use a natural corn liqueur with toasted notes of roasted corn, vanilla and caramel.
As for the look and atmosphere of the restaurant, the Gomez family selected bc Design Group of Overland Park to help bring the inspiration of Mexico City and their indigenous roots to life.
“Mexico City is unique,” José said. “In one block you can see indigenous, colonial and modern architecture. This mix of old world and new world aesthetics inspired the design.”
The elevated and intimate atmosphere of T’ähä is what draws customers in, and the rest of the experience is what converts them into regulars.
“It is our hope that our guests become immersed in our culture through exceptional food, drink and service. We hope that people can taste the love and thought behind every dish and food. All the while enjoying the elevated ambiance of our space,” José said.
Kata Nori
Very few restaurants capture the idea of “connecting over a meal" better than Kansas City’s first Hand Roll Bar, Kata Nori. The Japanese dining concept was created as a space where guests can connect—not just with the food, but with the chefs, servers, and each other, if they so choose.
“We’ve crafted a place where people can come together over exceptional food, a vibrant atmosphere, and great music. Our restaurant brings together people from all walks of life,” owner Nam Phan said.
The three owners of Kata Nori—Nam, KK, and Chef Bass—met through mutual friends and bonded over the vision of bringing a novel food idea to the city they love. Located in the Crossroads, the bar setup offers a personalized one-on-one experience with the chef and servers, while the lounge encourages guests to relax and enjoy the carefully curated music by the owners.
“Kata,” derived from the Japanese word for “form,” embodies a disciplined approach to mastering a skill, emphasizing practice and precision. “Nori,” means “seaweed.” Together, Kata Nori represents the pursuit of perfecting the art of hand rolls and service.
“We are in the business of serving people first, and happen to serve exceptional food,” Nam said. “Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, we strive to always create a positive experience for our guests.”
Kata Nori has witnessed incredible business since opening in 2023. A new demographic of guests who have never indulged in progressive sushi are gracing its doors, and Kansas City’s support is encouraging bigger plans for its future. Stay up-to-date with the latest news and exciting projects by following them on social media: @katanorikc
We are in the business of serving people first, and happen to serve exceptional food. -Nam Phan of Kata Nori