French Restaurants in Kansas City
About Us
American Slang Modern Brasserie – located on the lobby level of the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza – is a 200-seat, open concept restaurant and 35-seat bar with additional outdoor patio seating featuring spectacular views of the renowned Country Club Plaza. It is a favored dining destination where French tradition meets American culture. And where ‘local’ collides with ‘European’ in a compelling and engaging culinary way.
Upscale café spaces are both ‘fresh’ and ‘minimalist’. Plus hand-painted abstract murals reflect Kansas City’s rich history and tradition. And, of course, there’s a traditional brasserie table!
American Slang Diners may access American Slang directly from entrance off Wornall Road. Or from the InterContinental Kansas City on the Plaza’s front drive. Hotel valet parking for Slang diners is FREE.
Our Story
What does a 21st century French restaurant, bar and market look, feel and taste like? American Slang Modern Brasserie! Built on the following foundational principles that support classic French dishes giving way to a slight American twist and modern presentation, we showcase:
- quality recipes
- quirky use of fresh locally grown herbs and vegetables, exotic lettuces
- perfectly sauced dishes
- scratch-made dressings
American Slang diners discover menus which transform traditional, classical French items into fun, innovative and French restaurant-style favorites. That’s what we mean by little bit of ‘slang’!
Signature breakfast menu items include F2M Sourdough French Toast, Croque Madame and Steel Cut Oatmeal Brulee. Brunch menus feature Fettuccini Gitane, Chicken Zia Teresa and Avocado Toast. Lunch specialties include beautifully presented Charred Organic Salmon, Wild Mushroom Bisque, Baby Kale Salad and Slang Reuben (go figure!) Among Chef’s recommended dinner suggestions are Filet Mignon + Wild Gulf Shrimp, Kansas City Strip Frites, Fish + Frites and Chicken Brasserie. Slang’s signature Charcuterie and Cheese are available at virtually every meal period. And as for small plates, sharing the Lamb Meatballs or Charred Flatbread are among the excellent choices!
American Slang’s beverage program touts a restaurant micro brew selection unrivaled in the KC area. Many of the featured brews are from many local and area breweries. And, as for its wine offerings – just as you would expect…there will be highly desired American favorites as well as their European counterparts.
Spirits? Oh sure. American Slang has partnered with local distillers to offer uniquely local distilled spirits. Our craft cocktail team is sure to tantalize with specialty beverages such as its Miami G + T, Pineapple-Ginger Mojito or Blackberry Peach Fuzz.
American Slang Modern Brasserie is no traditional French restaurant serving classical French cuisine. Diners find it ‘slang’ in all ways that matter: concept, design, furnishings, beverages and cuisine.
Come experience French cuisine in an entirely refreshing way. Indulge your international taste buds at American Slang Modern Brasserie located in arguably the best, most beautiful, authentic and historical Kansas City location…the renowned Country Club Plaza.

Our People
Edward J. Hayes, Managing Director
Edward Hayes, Managing Director at InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza’s American Slang Modern Brasserie oversees overall restaurant and bar operations, to ensure consistently exceptional individual and intimate group dining experiences.
Together with the entire ASMB team, Edward brings a keen understanding of Midwest culinary traditions and current trends. His 20 years of food and beverage and sales leadership experience includes management roles at both The Westin Crown Center Hotel and InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, most recently as Director of Catering; DineEquity as General Manager and Big Sky Hospitality LLC as Managing Director. Edward has also held hands-on chef, chef de cuisine, sous chef and Executive Chef positions in main kitchen/banquet kitchen operations as well as time-honored KC dining establishments including Benton’s and Trader Vic’s.
Connecting his food and beverage staff with their restaurant and bar patrons is his passion. Under Edward’s direction, American Slang Modern Brasserie diners will savor classic French cuisine with a modern twist in one of the most sought after dining spaces on the Country Club Plaza.

Our Local Growers + Partners
American Slang has created several local food and beverage partnerships. And by ‘local,’ we mean vendors within a 150-mile radius! In doing so, the restaurant has access to the rich culinary offerings of Kansas, Missouri and beyond. American Slang’s motto? Great product first; local as much as possible.
Our culinary vision is to deliver a superb dining experience to all American Slang Modern Brasserie diners. With loads of items and offerings locally sourced.
The passion and process starts with the products and ingredients themselves. We mindfully investigated where products grew, as they were cultivated, and as they were nurtured. We are in lock-step with each resource grower and partner who carefully, and with drive and passion of their own, delivers our restaurant and bar needs.
Several local and regional small brewers, distillers, bakers and businesses were thoughtfully considered and carefully chosen for their commitment to offering American Slang Modern Brasserie hand-selected superior products direct.
With partnerships like these, it is no wonder American Slang Modern Brasserie fulfills its mission of providing a thoughtful, genuine dining experience.
