When a James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star opens a restaurant, it’s a big deal. Chef Michael Corvino and his wife are embarking on their first owner/operator establishment in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Hufft teamed with the entrepreneurs to design, build and fabricate the project including all tables, bar top, chef’s table, hostess stand and feature wall.

With such a vibrant talent in the kitchen, the team purposefully designed the restaurant to take a back seat to the cuisine, one which introduces patrons to new ingredients, playful interpretations, heavy American influence and global curiosity. A palette of subdued tones, natural materials and shades of charcoal gray allow the creativity of the plates take priority. As a nod to Kansas City’s musical past, a stage for live music features a custom fabricated feature wall of darkly-stained end-grain wood cuts.  The restaurant offers a 16 -seat bar, tables for 65 in the main dining room, private dining room for 50, and a private Tasting Room for 18 guests. The Tasting Room is an exclusive 3-hour experience of Chef’s personal epicurean vision choreographed with beverages, education, techniques, and stories behind the dishes.