Lisa

Hello. I'm going to be in Kansas City in early June on business. I will be staying near the country club plaza and will not have a car. Can anyone recommend any good restaurants in the area - particularly barbeque? Thanks!

a

Arthur Bryants is one of the best, not in a great(safe?) area, but very popular.. Famous people in town go there when there. YOu should go!
Oh, i just saw you will have no car....hmmm well I would take a cab.
There are great restuarants all over the plaza, PlazaIII comes to mind.

dcp

If your company is paying for any of your meals I'd suggest the following:
1. Plaza III Steakhouse (high dollar but consistently rated in the top 10 steakhouses in the U.S.)
2. McCormick & Schmidt (yes it's a chain but the seafood is flown in fresh every day)
3. PF Changs (another chain but good)
4. Gates Barbeque (short cab ride from plaza and not in as bad a location as Bryants)
5. Canyon Cafe

Eric

Gates for sure. It is near Westport where some of the local watering holes are. Just a short cab ride and great food. Would go before dark to Gates or Arthur Bryants. There is a KC Masterpiece Restaurant in CC Plaza, but the other two are better, but no ambiance. Plaza III is great, but I haven't been in over a year.

Brad

Unfortunately the Plaza has become a chain haven:
Cheesecake Factory
Houlihan's (the original location)
Houston's
PF Chang's
Ruth's Chris
Capital Grille
McCormick and Schmick
Canyon Cafe
Mi Cocina (nicely done semi-upscale Mexican, small Texas chain)
All the above are chains.

Local places:
Among the best is JJ's, just a block west of the actual Plaza, (great wine list, solid menu with fish, meats, a couple pasta specials)
Classic Cup Cafe (outdoor dining avail...sidewalk is best, wide variety on menu, good wine list)
KC Masterpiece (only BBQ on the Plaza, a little generic but decent)
Plaza III (steaks)
Baja 600 (very mediocre Mexican, but outdoor seating).

Nearest Gates BBQ is about 8 blocks east of the Plaza, very close to the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, but you really don't want to walk there unless it's midday.
Arthur Bryant's is greasy and spicy, but many people's favorite. Downtown in a crummy location. Cab is a must, definitely not walkable or safe.
Jake Edwards' BBQ is about 8 blocks south of the Plaza on Main and 51st. Solid but not spectacular.
There are lots of local favorites further away from the Plaza.