Kansas City Help Needed
Oct 16th, 2002, 04:43 AM
#4
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Don't know where you're staying but the Country Club Plaza area has clubs for nightlife, and several good restaurants. There are the chains, like Cheesecake Factory and McCormick & Schmidts, Ruth Chris and others such as Reverse (trendy), Frondizi's (Italian). Melting Pot (fondue) is kind of fun. If your under 30 there is a lot of nightlife in the Westport area. There are some fine restaurants in the Union Station area (a good place to visit for it's exhibits) - Lidia's (Italian) and the one at Union Station, I can't remember the name. There is usually some theatre going on at Missouri Rep or Coterie.
Oct 16th, 2002, 07:07 AM
#7
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The 'nightlife' is in Westport and Plaza areas (close together).
Best dining options are in the Plaza area as noted above, as well as Lidia's (Italian) adjacent to the Union Station (which has been nicely resored), and a couple places in Leawood KS near 119th street and Roe. This is a typical upscale suburban shopping and restaurant area.
Those are your options for concentrated retail/eatery areas.
Best dining options are in the Plaza area as noted above, as well as Lidia's (Italian) adjacent to the Union Station (which has been nicely resored), and a couple places in Leawood KS near 119th street and Roe. This is a typical upscale suburban shopping and restaurant area.
Those are your options for concentrated retail/eatery areas.
Oct 16th, 2002, 07:56 AM
#8
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As already stated, the plaza to stay and the Westport area (and Plaza) to party. For dinner try Pierponts at the Union Station (a little pricey) and/or Lidia (nationally recognized chef) which is right by the Union Station. Canyon Cafe on the Plaza along with the ones already mentioned is another good choice. For Barbeque there's really only 2 "real" choices: 1. Arthur Bryants (Steven Speilberg, Jimmy Carter eaten there) 2. Gates (very good but I prefer Bryants). Enjoy!
Oct 24th, 2002, 02:49 PM
#9
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I mean no disrespect to Bubba, but there are more good, authentic KC BBQ joints than I could possibly list. Gates and Bryants are the most famous, but Rosedale has been around longer than either and is great. Oklahoma Joe's is great as well--both aren't far from the Plaza. Don't leave without getting some BBQ; it's what we're famous for. KC Masterpiece is on the Plaza, and while good, it is not really a BBQ joint in the KC sense of the term. It's really a restaurant that serves some BBQ. Cafe Allegro closed a few months ago, but you will find several good spots on 39th Street between State Line and Wyoming, including Joe D's, which took Allegro's space. You will be stuck with chain restaurants (and stores) on the Plaza, but it is a beautiful place. JJ's (one block west of the Plaza is a very good local restaurant. If you stay on the Plaza, you will be close to everything and in the middle of the closest thing we have to a functioning "downtown".
Oct 25th, 2002, 05:38 AM
#10
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There are about 80 BBQ places in town and everyone has their favorites. Most of mine have already been mentioned, but you might also consider Jake Edwards BBQ near the Plaza. If you do, be sure to try the sweet potato French fires.
Or for something a bit different, Winslow's Smoke House in the City Market. The sauce is not as spicy, but is prepared fresh with no preservatives every day or two. The meat gets a lot of flavor in the smoking. I recommend the wings.
For good restaurants that aren't just another Ruth's Chris or Cheesecake Factory, I highly recommend Ghengus Kahn Mongolian BBQ, 3906 Bell St near 39th and State Line. There are many other Mongolian BBQs in town and a couple are fairly good, but once you try this one, you will throw rocks at the others. Good chefs, very large selection and high quality. Several friends insist on going there every time they come to town. We have taken over 30 people there at once.
Another hit but farther out is Thai 2000 on Shawnee Mission Parkway. On the Kansas side about a mile west of I-35. Not much atmosphere (the building used to by a McDonalds), but the food is very good. I particularly recommend the King Crab. Good appetizers include the mussels and the squid prepared three ways.
There are too many other good restaurants to list, but let us know if there is a type of food you particularly want. I would be happy to recommend Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Sea Food, Steak, etc. Also mention if there is an area of town you wish to stay near.
There are many entertainment options, but if you are a nonsmoker, I particularly recommend the Blue Room attached to the American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine. It is open Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. $5 cover on Friday & Saturday (except for big names when it may be higher). Normally no cover charge on Thursday and Sunday.
Great music in a pleasant intimate venue, and because of the exhibits in the attached museum, NO SMOKING. It is so nice to spend an evening in a bar but not smell like you spent the evening in a bar. They pipe the music outside for folks to hear while they have a smoke.
The Blue Room is also just a few blcoks from Arthur Bryants (which was mentioned above) and a few blocks moe from one of the Gates. Bryants is the place I like to take people trying KC BBQ for the first time. Large quanties of well cooked meat and fries cooked in lard. Really a dive but a good one.
Keith
PS: Sandy the restaurant you are probably thinking of in Union Station is Pierpont's.
Or for something a bit different, Winslow's Smoke House in the City Market. The sauce is not as spicy, but is prepared fresh with no preservatives every day or two. The meat gets a lot of flavor in the smoking. I recommend the wings.
For good restaurants that aren't just another Ruth's Chris or Cheesecake Factory, I highly recommend Ghengus Kahn Mongolian BBQ, 3906 Bell St near 39th and State Line. There are many other Mongolian BBQs in town and a couple are fairly good, but once you try this one, you will throw rocks at the others. Good chefs, very large selection and high quality. Several friends insist on going there every time they come to town. We have taken over 30 people there at once.
Another hit but farther out is Thai 2000 on Shawnee Mission Parkway. On the Kansas side about a mile west of I-35. Not much atmosphere (the building used to by a McDonalds), but the food is very good. I particularly recommend the King Crab. Good appetizers include the mussels and the squid prepared three ways.
There are too many other good restaurants to list, but let us know if there is a type of food you particularly want. I would be happy to recommend Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Sea Food, Steak, etc. Also mention if there is an area of town you wish to stay near.
There are many entertainment options, but if you are a nonsmoker, I particularly recommend the Blue Room attached to the American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine. It is open Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. $5 cover on Friday & Saturday (except for big names when it may be higher). Normally no cover charge on Thursday and Sunday.
Great music in a pleasant intimate venue, and because of the exhibits in the attached museum, NO SMOKING. It is so nice to spend an evening in a bar but not smell like you spent the evening in a bar. They pipe the music outside for folks to hear while they have a smoke.
The Blue Room is also just a few blcoks from Arthur Bryants (which was mentioned above) and a few blocks moe from one of the Gates. Bryants is the place I like to take people trying KC BBQ for the first time. Large quanties of well cooked meat and fries cooked in lard. Really a dive but a good one.
Keith
PS: Sandy the restaurant you are probably thinking of in Union Station is Pierpont's.
Nov 1st, 2002, 02:16 PM
#13
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You probably want to try some unique places. If you don't mind driving around, I have a few options. The Plaza/Westport area is the best concentration of restaurants.
Try Winsteads for their famous steakburgers and onion rings and you HAVE to get a lime aide (or cherry limeaide) made with real line icecream!!
If you like fun group restaurants, you can't go wrong with our oriental steak houses like Gojos (between the Plaza and Westport on Broadway?) and Hibachi on the Plaza.
KC Masterpiece is overrated in my opinion, the sauce is too "sweet", but I took BBQ as a Jan-Term in high school so I am pickier. Jake Edwards is much better in that area. Go up main (33rd street?) There you will also find the founding restaurant for our local pizza joint -- Minsky's Pizza. They have GREAT pizzas with glorious tomato sauce (the most important ingredirnt to a pizza in my opinion). For some reason, it always seems like a fun place there, maybe from nostalgia!
FOr the BEST Italian restaurant, go downtown to the original Garrozo's. MAKE time for this, it is some of best Italian food, well food in general, you will ever have. You have not truly lived until you've gone here. Personally, I love the bistecca modega. They do not take reservations really, you just show up.
For a great steak joint, there are several places. herford House, of course. Nearer me, adn also well worth the trip, is Jess & Jims in Martin City (GO North from the Plaza way way up Wornall), its like 20-30 minutes from the Plaza (everything is 20-30 minutes away here).
Where else. The Bristol at 119th and ... its in Town Center. Great local sea food restaurant that survived greedy unnecessary boot from the Plaza. The clam chowder is insanely great.
For semi chains, try Houlihans and better Houstons. Houlihans started out here, but got lost in the translation to a chain. Still, the French Onion soup (and the Baked Potato) soups are good if you just want a snack.
P.F. Chang's is on the Plaza, pricey but great food/atmosphere/service. GO here just so you can say you're outta town and never ben here, and say you heaard something about "lettuce wraps" -- you may get it for free! At least the couple by us one night did. It is delicious even if you do have to pay for it.
Write back here with where you will be staying (area, not hotel, of course) and how long you have and what kind of food you want and perhaps we can think of other places for you to try.
have fun here!
Try Winsteads for their famous steakburgers and onion rings and you HAVE to get a lime aide (or cherry limeaide) made with real line icecream!!
If you like fun group restaurants, you can't go wrong with our oriental steak houses like Gojos (between the Plaza and Westport on Broadway?) and Hibachi on the Plaza.
KC Masterpiece is overrated in my opinion, the sauce is too "sweet", but I took BBQ as a Jan-Term in high school so I am pickier. Jake Edwards is much better in that area. Go up main (33rd street?) There you will also find the founding restaurant for our local pizza joint -- Minsky's Pizza. They have GREAT pizzas with glorious tomato sauce (the most important ingredirnt to a pizza in my opinion). For some reason, it always seems like a fun place there, maybe from nostalgia!
FOr the BEST Italian restaurant, go downtown to the original Garrozo's. MAKE time for this, it is some of best Italian food, well food in general, you will ever have. You have not truly lived until you've gone here. Personally, I love the bistecca modega. They do not take reservations really, you just show up.
For a great steak joint, there are several places. herford House, of course. Nearer me, adn also well worth the trip, is Jess & Jims in Martin City (GO North from the Plaza way way up Wornall), its like 20-30 minutes from the Plaza (everything is 20-30 minutes away here).
Where else. The Bristol at 119th and ... its in Town Center. Great local sea food restaurant that survived greedy unnecessary boot from the Plaza. The clam chowder is insanely great.
For semi chains, try Houlihans and better Houstons. Houlihans started out here, but got lost in the translation to a chain. Still, the French Onion soup (and the Baked Potato) soups are good if you just want a snack.
P.F. Chang's is on the Plaza, pricey but great food/atmosphere/service. GO here just so you can say you're outta town and never ben here, and say you heaard something about "lettuce wraps" -- you may get it for free! At least the couple by us one night did. It is delicious even if you do have to pay for it.
Write back here with where you will be staying (area, not hotel, of course) and how long you have and what kind of food you want and perhaps we can think of other places for you to try.
have fun here!
Nov 1st, 2002, 02:17 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
You probably want to try some unique places. If you don't mind driving around, I have a few options. The Plaza/Westport area is the best concentration of restaurants.
Try Winsteads for their famous steakburgers and onion rings and you HAVE to get a lime aide (or cherry limeaide) made with real line icecream!!
If you like fun group restaurants, you can't go wrong with our oriental steak houses like Gojos (between the Plaza and Westport on Broadway?) and Hibachi on the Plaza.
KC Masterpiece is overrated in my opinion, the sauce is too "sweet", but I took BBQ as a Jan-Term in high school so I am pickier. Jake Edwards is much better in that area. Go up main (33rd street?) There you will also find the founding restaurant for our local pizza joint -- Minsky's Pizza. They have GREAT pizzas with glorious tomato sauce (the most important ingredirnt to a pizza in my opinion). For some reason, it always seems like a fun place there, maybe from nostalgia!
FOr the BEST Italian restaurant, go downtown to the original Garrozo's. MAKE time for this, it is some of best Italian food, well food in general, you will ever have. You have not truly lived until you've gone here. Personally, I love the bistecca modega. They do not take reservations really, you just show up.
For a great steak joint, there are several places. herford House, of course. Nearer me, adn also well worth the trip, is Jess & Jims in Martin City (GO North from the Plaza way way up Wornall), its like 20-30 minutes from the Plaza (everything is 20-30 minutes away here).
Where else. The Bristol at 119th and ... its in Town Center. Great local sea food restaurant that survived greedy unnecessary boot from the Plaza. The clam chowder is insanely great.
For semi chains, try Houlihans and better Houstons. Houlihans started out here, but got lost in the translation to a chain. Still, the French Onion soup (and the Baked Potato) soups are good if you just want a snack.
P.F. Chang's is on the Plaza, pricey but great food/atmosphere/service. GO here just so you can say you're outta town and never ben here, and say you heaard something about "lettuce wraps" -- you may get it for free! At least the couple by us one night did. It is delicious even if you do have to pay for it.
Write back here with where you will be staying (area, not hotel, of course) and how long you have and what kind of food you want and perhaps we can think of other places for you to try.
have fun here!
P.S. there is not much nightlife here EXCEPT Westport. Be warned that some nights ther'll be a lot of kids there, but there really isn't anywhere else for them to go.
Try Winsteads for their famous steakburgers and onion rings and you HAVE to get a lime aide (or cherry limeaide) made with real line icecream!!
If you like fun group restaurants, you can't go wrong with our oriental steak houses like Gojos (between the Plaza and Westport on Broadway?) and Hibachi on the Plaza.
KC Masterpiece is overrated in my opinion, the sauce is too "sweet", but I took BBQ as a Jan-Term in high school so I am pickier. Jake Edwards is much better in that area. Go up main (33rd street?) There you will also find the founding restaurant for our local pizza joint -- Minsky's Pizza. They have GREAT pizzas with glorious tomato sauce (the most important ingredirnt to a pizza in my opinion). For some reason, it always seems like a fun place there, maybe from nostalgia!
FOr the BEST Italian restaurant, go downtown to the original Garrozo's. MAKE time for this, it is some of best Italian food, well food in general, you will ever have. You have not truly lived until you've gone here. Personally, I love the bistecca modega. They do not take reservations really, you just show up.
For a great steak joint, there are several places. herford House, of course. Nearer me, adn also well worth the trip, is Jess & Jims in Martin City (GO North from the Plaza way way up Wornall), its like 20-30 minutes from the Plaza (everything is 20-30 minutes away here).
Where else. The Bristol at 119th and ... its in Town Center. Great local sea food restaurant that survived greedy unnecessary boot from the Plaza. The clam chowder is insanely great.
For semi chains, try Houlihans and better Houstons. Houlihans started out here, but got lost in the translation to a chain. Still, the French Onion soup (and the Baked Potato) soups are good if you just want a snack.
P.F. Chang's is on the Plaza, pricey but great food/atmosphere/service. GO here just so you can say you're outta town and never ben here, and say you heaard something about "lettuce wraps" -- you may get it for free! At least the couple by us one night did. It is delicious even if you do have to pay for it.
Write back here with where you will be staying (area, not hotel, of course) and how long you have and what kind of food you want and perhaps we can think of other places for you to try.
have fun here!
P.S. there is not much nightlife here EXCEPT Westport. Be warned that some nights ther'll be a lot of kids there, but there really isn't anywhere else for them to go.
Nov 1st, 2002, 07:05 PM
#15
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Ia agree more with Bubba but definitely do not listen to John cause he's not-so true. Garozzo's is not bad for KC but is not all that spectacular. As for Jess & Jim's, it's fair but again not great. For great steak go to the Plaza III on the plaza (Ruth Chris though a chain is much better than Jess & Jim's) and definitely go to Bryants for the worlds best BBQ! PS: PF Chang's is good but it's a chain and you can experience it in about 15 cities throughout the US.
Nov 4th, 2002, 05:53 AM
#16
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Ruth's Chris is a chain as well. Far over-rated in my opinion. And over-priced.
I've never had a good experience at the Herford House, try the Golden Ox instead. Though the decor and waitresses will make you think you have gone back in time 40 years.
The original Garozzo's east of the City Market is the one to visit. The atmophere adds a lot.
Winstead's? Just another chain burger joint.
Keith
I've never had a good experience at the Herford House, try the Golden Ox instead. Though the decor and waitresses will make you think you have gone back in time 40 years.
The original Garozzo's east of the City Market is the one to visit. The atmophere adds a lot.
Winstead's? Just another chain burger joint.
Keith
Nov 11th, 2002, 06:32 PM
#18
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Ruth's Chris is a chain, but very good. I personally like Plaza III because it is an original part of the country club plaza. Not much left of that. Another original part of CCPlaza is Winsteads. Winsteads is now a chain, but the first restaurant was there on the Plaza where it is now. When I was in high school 30 years ago, there were two drive in restaurants on the plaza. The other was Sidneys, and it was way cool. It was round and very 50's. Unfortunately, it was tore down in the early 70's for some office building! This was one of the true tragedy's of historic KC. In other words, don't tell me Winsteads is just a chain. Winsteads on the Plaza is part of KC history.
Nov 11th, 2002, 08:22 PM
#19
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True enough, teri.
But it's also really dirty inside.
I stood at the soda fountain and watched tham make me a butterscotch shake not long ago and almost couldn't eat it afterward.
The health department would have flat flunked Winstead's on the Plaza that day, history or not.
But it's also really dirty inside.
I stood at the soda fountain and watched tham make me a butterscotch shake not long ago and almost couldn't eat it afterward.
The health department would have flat flunked Winstead's on the Plaza that day, history or not.
