We're making a short trip to KC and staying at the Country Club Plaza. We want to experience some good food that won't break the bank. Is Jack Stack still good for BBQ? Would also like suggestions for Italian, steak, and pizza. We used to eat at Pizza Shoppe and loved the pink salad dressing. Is it still worth a visit ? Also, is Ernie Biggs the closest piano bar to the CC Plaza? Any other fun bars to go to on a Thursday night? Is Westport within walking distance to the CC Plaza? It's been a while since we've been there and can't remember the distance. We'll be in Overland Park for part of a day and would welcome lunch or dinner suggestions in the Oak Park mall area.

Help please!! Also, we are staying at the Hampton CC Plaza. Is it a decent place to stay or should we rebook at the Embassy Suites?

Any help out there? We're leaving soon and need some good information. We rely on fodorites suggestions!!

Hi, japw, as a WAY former KCian, the only question I can address is the Westport one. The Plaza's at 47th St., and Westport is around a 15 min walk uphill.

Sorry. Hope others can do better. Jack Stack was nice last time I was there.

Jack Stack is still good.

The best steak, imo, is Capital Grille. There is also a Ruth's Chris and Plaza III on the Plaza. At the Capital Grille, the porcini rubbed Delmonico w/ 12 year aged balsamic, is transcendent.

I'm not familiar with the Pizza Shoppe or Ernie Biggs.

Westport is within walking distance, perhaps a mile or two, but I would recommend taking a car, particularly at night.

There is a Nordstrom's at Oak Park Mall, and they have a delicious tomato soup and fine salads. If you get as far south as 119th Street, you have lots of options. North, Trezo Vino, Bristol, Yia Yias. Or, Mission Farms, on Mission Road about 106th has Room 39 and Zest.

Let me know if you have any questions. enjoy, annie

At the Plaza my favorite is McCormick and Schmicks. Great fresh seafood!

When is your trip? Maybe you are already gone?

Hampton Inn on the CC Plaza is just fine...my sister stays there every summer for her "girlfriend's getaway" weekend.

Westport is too far away to walk, really. I am only in Westport rarely for concerts at the Beaumont Club so don't know of any nightclub action...not my thing. The new Power & Light District downtown has a lot of nightclub type places...mostly corporate chains, but a lot of people seem to like it, for now anyway. For live music, my favorite is Knuckleheads---it is WAY FAR away from everywhere...but definitely worth a visit...www.knuckleheadskc.com

For BBQ, we love Oklahoma Joe's...it's in a gas station (really!) at the western edge of Westport...google it...awesome ribs!

I live in Overland Park...for lunch try Ricco's at the corner of College & Quivira...Italian and wood-fired pizza. Also Cafe Tempo at Johnson County Community College is cool, plus it's next to the (free) Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Hope this helps!