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Kansas City Connection: FüD for thought

By Lucas Wetzel - | Oct 25, 2015

Vegan and raw-living restaurant FüD is located at 813 W. 17th St. in Kansas City.

Having grown up working in my family’s meat market, I didn’t get to sample a lot of vegan food as a kid. Every time I try the organic and gluten-free vegan fare at FüD, however, I start thinking I could eat it every single meal.

But that’s probably easier said than done, as it would take a lot of time and talent to get anywhere close to the zest and deliciousness of the dishes prepared at this bustling, cash-only vegetarian restaurant in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood.

At 813 W. 17th St., just west of Summit Street, FüD is tucked between the funky, upscale eatery Novel and gourmet snow cone purveyor Little Freshie. The restaurant was opened in 2010 by Heidi VanPelt-Belle, who started preparing and serving food in Los Angeles and then in the local Bad Seed market in the Crossroads. The concept has been a hit so far, with a steady stream of diners and carry-out customers visiting for lunch or dinner Tuesday through Saturday, or for lunch Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FüD’s dining room is cozy and colorful, and the menu includes an extensive array of stir-fry dishes, salads, sandwiches, Latin dishes, raw foods, appetizers, smoothies and desserts. Check out a full menu at eatfud.com. Whether you’re a genuine vegetarian or an erstwhile omnivore like me, chances are good you’ll find something to love.

Fan gear

As I write this column, I have no idea how far the Kansas City Royals 2015 postseason run will last, but I do know I’m seeing more Royals and Kansas City apparel on the streets than I have anytime since… 2014.

Rally House is the primary outlet for official MLB jerseys, but if you’re looking for some of the unique T-shirt designs that have popped up in the past year or so, check out The Bunker, a locally owned clothing retailer at 4056 Broadway in Westport, or Normal Human, a nearby local boutique at 827 Westport Road. Charlie Hustle, the custom T-shirt outfit responsible for the KC inside the heart logo, also opened up a brick-and-mortar location on the Country Club Plaza at 419 W. 47th St. across from Barnes and Noble.

Performances

Halloween is fast approaching, and audiences of all ages will be in for a treat at two stage events this week. From Tuesday through Saturday, the Theatre for Young America is presenting an adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at Union Station. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at tya.org.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Screenland at the Symphony presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” the silent 1920 adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic featuring an organ score performed by Dorothy Papadakos. Tickets range from $25 to $50 and can be purchased at kcsymphony.org.

Tickets are also still available for the Kansas City Symphony’s presentation of the “Classical Mystery Tour,” an orchestral tribute to The Beatles featuring original arrangements of the Fab Four’s hits. Associate conductor Aram Demirjian will lead the Symphony’s adaptations of Beatles classics, including “Yesterday” performed by guitar and string quartet and “Penny Lane” with a live horn section. Tickets for shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday are $50 and up at kcsymphony.org.

Janet Jackson

Finally, I would be disappointing my eighth-grade girlfriend if I didn’t mention Tuesday’s Janet Jackson concert at the Sprint Center. Tickets to Janet’s “Unbreakable” tour cost $37.50 and up and are for sale at sprintcenter.com.

Incidentally, if you’re attending the Sprint Center for a concert or game and want to find a no-frills bar that’s cheaper and much less chic than the Power & Light District, head over to Zoo Bar at 1220 McGee St., a cash-only joint serving beer and cocktails until 1:30 a.m. every night but Sunday.

Zoo Bar might not be an ideal place to find a mate, but it’s a great spot to slam a few drinks before braving the bright lights and high prices of the big arena.

Happy Halloween!

— Lucas Wetzel is a writer and editor from Kansas City, Mo. Know of an upcoming event in Kansas City you’d like to see featured in Kansas City Connection? Email us about it at kcconnection@ljworld.com.