Meet Kimberly…
Although born and raised in Joplin, Kimberly Zerkel spent more than a decade living in Paris, France. It was there where she learned about French wine, cooking, and hospitality.
In 2017, she moved to San Francisco. There, she worked as assistant to French chef Dominique Crenn, the only woman in the United States with three Michelin stars. This experience exposed her to some of the hospitality industry’s most talented individuals.
She returned to Joplin in 2021 and rediscovered her love for her hometown. She’d often have “starry-eyed” daydreams about the businesses she wished to see in downtown’s historic buildings. After having written multiple cookbooks, including The French Bakery, Kimberly also began writing a monthly column for The Joplin Globe. In response to her articles, she learned that many in Joplin were as starry-eyed as she was and wanted the kinds of establishments she longed for. The urge to create her very own business became too strong to ignore….
Starry Eyed Girl is born…
Kimberly and her former business partner launched Starry Eyed Girl at a pop-up event at the Cornell Complex in September 2023. After several more pop-ups at Joplin Empire Market, the lease for 512 S. Virginia Avenue was signed, and construction on what was a former parking garage and loading dock began.
Starry Eyed Girl restaurant and wine bar officially opened its doors on November 21st, 2025 and has been joyfully serving wine, cocktails, and a seasonal dinner menu in downtown Joplin ever since.
What to expect…
Starry Eyed Girl is a both a restaurant and wine bar where all ages are welcome. You do not need to dress up or have a reservation, and there is no right or wrong way to enjoy your time with us.
Inspired by some of Kimberly’s favorite spots around the world, we are a counter-service restaurant, meaning you place your order at the bar. Simply grab a menu, choose a seat, and place your order at the bar when it’s right for you. We’ll take care of the rest.
Our menu is seasonal. From our Rustic French Loaf to our Lemon-Garlic Dressing, the vast majority of our recipes are made from scratch. We offer a mix of mostly French and California wines, and strive to curate bottles that you can’t find anywhere else. Although we do boast a growing cocktail menu and a small assortment of beers and soft drinks like iced tea, our primary focus is on wines we love.