This week in 417 foodie news, an authentic Italian food spot announces it will close at the end of May, 14 restaurants joined this year’s Vegan Chef Challenge and a theme park restaurant gets recognized by USA TODAY readers. Plus, a food truck adds a Japanese staple to its lineup.
Authentic Italian kitchen, food truck to close doors
Italian Kitchen, 540 W. McDaniel St., will close at the end of May, according to a Facebook post. Reporting by the Springfield Business Journal indicated that the food truck, Bedda Matri, will also close.
“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this incredible journey. For showing up, for sharing our passion, and for believing in what we built,” the Facebook post said. “This is not just a goodbye — it’s a grazie, from us to you.”
During the month of May, which Chef Alessandro De Luca and Sous-Chef Jennifer Morris called the venture’s “farewell month” in the Facebook post, Italian Kitchen will be hosting as many cooking classes as possible and will attempt to add in a couple more special dinners, “because there’s no better way to say goodbye than around a table, with good food and even better company.”
Italian Kitchen began as a take-out, catering and reserved party company in 2020, but expanded to offer classes and weekly dinners to showcase authentic Italian cuisine, De Luca told the News-Leader last year.
“I want to give people the opportunity and the chance to realize what real Italian food can taste like and at the same time offer them an authentic experience,” De Luca said in March 2024. “When you come here, you are not in an Italian restaurant. You are in a trattoria, over (in Italy).”
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Vegan challenge to feature 14 area restaurants
Diners who are vegan, or just want to give the lifestyle a try, can do so at 14 Ozarks restaurants through May 31 with the Vegan Chef Challenge.
The challenge is a competition that allows area businesses to show off their skills when it comes to plant-based menu options. Once they give the dishes a try, they can vote online through May 31.
Currently, the participating businesses are Black Sheep on Walnut, 209 E. Walnut St. in Springfield; Cellar+Plate, 2916 S. Lone Pine Ave. in Springfield; both Craft Sushi locations at 1251 E. Sunshine St. and 1282 E. Republic Road in Springfield; Flame Steakhouse, 314 W. Walnut St. in Springfield; Greek Belly, 320 E. Walnut St. in Springfield; Jamaican Patty Co. at 3439 S. Campbell Ave. and 301 Park Central West in Springfield; MaMa Jean’s Natural Market & Deli, at 3530 E. Sunshine St. in Springfield; Not’cho Ordinary Taco, 203 E. Mt. Vernon St. in Nixa; The Press Coffee & Juice Bar, 2710 S. Glenstone Ave. in Springfield; Tinga Tacos, 308 W. McDaniel St. in Springfield; Uptown Hog, 203 E. Mt. Vernon St. in Nixa; and Zayka Indian Cuisine, 313 S. Jefferson Ave. in Springfield.
Diners can view the special vegan menu items by visiting VeganChefChallenge.org/SpringfieldMO/.
Last year, Not’cho Ordinary Taco snagged first place, with Brunch Box and The Wheelhouse in second and third places, respectively. Area restaurants were also recognized for superlatives such as “Best Sandwich” (Skully’s Ramen), “Best Dessert” (Greek Belly), “Best Crepes” (Aviary Cafe) and “Best Gluten-Free” (Van Gogh’s Eeterie).
Branson theme park restaurant earns spot on USA TODAY’s 10BEST list
USA TODAY readers voted Silver Dollar City’s Rivertown Smokehouse as No. 2 on the list of top theme park restaurants. The barbecue restaurant, added along with the area called Rivertown in 2020, serves what the park says is the “tastiest barbecue this side of the Mississippi.”
At Rivertown Smokehouse, folks can order ribs, brisket, smoked chicken and even salads adorned with barbecue pit favorites like burnt ends.
It beat out two EPCOT restaurants at Disney World, as well as Aunt Granny’s Restaurant at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Food truck adds Japanese snack staple to menu
Bento Box food truck, which sets up shop at the Plaza Shopping Center parking lot on the corner of Sunshine Street and Glenstone Avenue, is adding onigiri filled with teriyaki chicken and mayo to its menu.
The food truck will be adding it to its menu the week of May 5, alongside its other offerings such as Spam musubi, chicken karaage and lumpia.
Onigiri is a popular Japanese snack for people on-the-go, often featuring a flavored filling tucked inside a ball or triangle of rice, which is then wrapped in nori. The rice ball item has existed for more than 2,000 years, and gained popularity among the masses during the Edo period (1603-1867), according to Britannica.com. Those who watch anime or read manga will likely recognize the item, as it often appears in Japanese media, though not always as “onigiri.” In the ’90s, to appeal to American audiences, a “Pokemon” episode called the snack a jelly doughnut, spawning memes and videos even today.