I would like a fun and good restaurant in Kansas City. Will be staying downtown at the Embassy Suites. It seems there are lots of good steak and rib places. I have chose Jack Stack Barbecue for the first nite so would like a good Itailan and fun nite for the second nite. Thanks

Lidia's is right next to Jack Stack. Gaorrzo's is a bit east of DT,
and there's a place about 8th and Grand who's name I'm struggling to remember.
http://kansas.lidiasitaly.com/index2.htm
http://www.garozzos.com/locations.php
You've also got a bunch of trendy places
in the Crossroads that don't quite qualify as Italian, but are supposed to be good.

Good advice. Those are the ones that first came to mind to me for that part of town.

bbqboy, are you thinking of Anthony's Restaurant & Lounge at 701 Grand?

Keith

That's it, Keith! Thanks. Have you been there? It's more a Red Sauce checked tablecloth type of joint. Right?

Here's a link to the "10 Best Italian Restaurants" in K.C.
http://www.10best.com/Kansas_City/Re...ian/index.html

For a fun place to visit, be sure to go to the Country Club Plaza for shopping and dining. The Christmas lights are on now, if you'll be there before the holiday season ends. Each Spanish-styled building is outlined in lights. It's very pretty at night. A unique K.C. sight.

Try a toasted ravioli appetizer while you're in a K.C. Italian restaurant. It's a local specialty and very good.
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Sorry, but I haven't been to Anthony's, just knew of it.

Keith

Not sure what your budget is, if you're all adults, and if you plan to stay downtown the entire time, but here are my thoughts for downtown dining.

For Italian:
1. Lidia's- quite good food in a beautiful restaurant.
2. Vivace- Probably a younger, hipper crowd, they have an ice bar.
3. Seven- Haven't been there yet, it is one of the new hot spots.
4. Milano- In Crown Center, haven't been there for quite awhile.
5. Vinino- This opened this week, so you might give it awhile.

Other ideas:
Shiraz- Mediterranean
La Bodega- Mediterranean
Michael Smith's- upscale contemporary
Le Fou Frog- French. Not inexpensive, and the tables are quite close together, but the food is fabulous, and there's always a great energy there, not at all stuffy! We love it.
American- If you're on the expense account, this place is fabulous. Tres expensive (for KC). They do have a $24 3 course lunch which is just wonderful.

Enjoy, annieladd

I would skip Anthony's. At this time, Vinino has a limited menu and are working out their grand opening kinks. Milano is pretty average. Vivace and Seven are more trendy, with Seven having better food.

Garozzo's in Columbus Park is good. Lidia's is even better with one of the most dynamic dining rooms in the city...IMO. Carmen's in Brookside is very good (my fav). Brookside is about 3 miles from your hotel.

I live in the Cross Roads area and have experienced the restaurants I've listed. For "fun and good", I'd probably recommend Lidia's.

When will you been in KC?