You can get an Australian brekkie in KC
You may not think of Australians as having an incredibly vibrant food and dining culture, but it turns out to be true, and it all starts with breakfast — “brekkie,” if you must. Australians were eating generous, healthy, largely plant-based meals in the morning long before that became a mark of a good brunch here. (We have them to thank for avocado toast, after all.) Now, there’s an opportunity for Kansas Citians to sample a bit of what Australians have to offer without having to travel 8,000 miles or use one of those alternate-universe toilets. On a trip downtown to Banksia Bakehouse (105 West 9th Street), you can get avocado toast, yes — their version is topped with arugula, white miso, ponzu-roasted sesame seeds, pan-roasted tomatoes, and a fried egg — but also mushroom-and-beet toast (slow-cooked shiitake and portabellos with house-made ricotta, spinach and goat cheese). We also love the corn, zucchini, and cilantro fritters: crispy, pan-fried cakes topped with savory refried black beans and generous hunks of avocado, dressed in lime juice, all topped with a runny fried egg and a heap of cilantro. Get it with a flat white (another Australian gift), and you’re set for the day.
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