James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith describes his love affair with Italian cooking as “finding Guido,” a reference to his career-changing discovery of Guido, a Michelin star restaurant in Piedmont. In 2019, Chef Smith introduced Kansas City to his passion — and Farina was born.
Italian for “flour,” Farina is the culmination of a vision that combines modern Italian cooking, rustic but warm design and the gritty nature of the surrounding arts district into one elegant whole. The restaurant is a piece of the gut renovation of a historic building that is in the heart of this creative neighborhood, acknowledged by the pristine walls that are home to rotating pieces of curated art.
Farina plugs into the dichotomy between urban vibrancy and sophisticated intimacy. It hugs the corner of an active intersection, yet the interior is inviting and refined. Diners are treated to lively views of street life within an acoustically comfortable environment. To passersby, Farina is bustling with activity while the restaurant exudes a warm glow.
As main features on the menu, pasta and wood-fired entrees are celebrated in locally made millwork that adorns the cocktail and oyster bars. Slats of white oak are stretched across the ceiling in varying widths, mimicking pasta that has been laid out to dry.
Created by a James Beard Award-winning brand identity firm, Farina’s essence was translated into graphics and materials that incorporate leather and vibrant color into every last detail.
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