public service announcement. for those who claim wichita has nothing to offer by way of good eats, i present to you: public.
when your best friend comes into town and you're looking for a few hotspots to show off, this should make the list. here's why:
character. from the old town location to the underground (literally) speakeasy vibe, there are no other venues in town that can emulate public's feel. it embodies the highlights of kansas and captures the essence of the ict from top to bottom. from the dim, unconventional lighting and prairie rustler-esque furnishings down to the ingredients and brews on the menu.
ah, menu. the other reason this is a can't miss. as i mentioned, public incorporates wichita flavor in many of its offerings. at play are the area's mediterranean influences, inclusion meat-centric barbecue and comfort food staples. even the very ingredients lend themselves to regional familiarity; bison, locally cured meats, and area-baked buns and breads populate a vast majority of the edible options. there are some oddities, but whatever you choose you're sure to get an honest tasting of the town.
my recent order of prairie sliders certainly earned endorsement. a pair of mini brioche rolls, butter toasted, acted as bookends to a smear of house-prepped honey dijon, melty sharp cheddar, thick, bison blend patties, and an onion jam spread. the dynamic duo struck all the right chords. bison tends to dry out easily, but here the meat was seared and cooked to a perfect medium after being crusted with a seasoned mix of salt, crushed black peppercorns, and roasted coffee beans for an earthy undertone. the accompanying zesty mustard and faintly sweet onion jam melded with the meat harmoniously, each offering an element of complexity and enjoying a moment in the spotlight while allowing the meat its rightful place at center stage.
on second thought, perhaps center stage was a bit of an exaggeration. the fries, the fantastic, double fried, rosemary seasoned, parmesan dusted fries, are a spectacle worthy of an auditorium. if you've never had a deceptively ordinary looking, hand cut style french fry with an outstanding crispiness nearly all the way through, you've never had a french fry the way god intended them to be produced. this may very well be the best realization of potatoes in kansas; stop what you're doing and get some. and bring me some. not necessarily in that order.
my point here, put quite simply, is that public is a worthy allocation of your funds and appetite, and those of any who you care to impress. so show your true feelings and treat me to public already. you can even bring that out of town friend if you want.