Going to KC for the first time, what's a nice place to go eat?

Question

I'm looking for an upscale bar/restaurant. I'm pretty high-maintenance, and I like to go to nice places. I'm from Miami, and I now live in Beverly Hills. So figure that out. Anyhow, can someone tell me of the KC hot spots? Oh yeah, I'm 26 y/o so somewhere to mingle w/ people in my age group.

Answer 1

Well one of the reasons I live in KC is because of the food. Now that is not #1 but it is close. Top 3 are Chiefs, food, and blues, although blues venues have had a rough few years.

First stop in KC is 39th street. I humbly submit you will find one of the best pizzas in the country at d'Bronx (more on pizza below). Around the corner is Gengis Kahn Mongolain Bar-B-Que. Go west and sitting on the Mo/Ks state line is Jazz, an excellent Cajun restaurant and half a block between d'Bronx and Jazz is the Blue Koi (the tea menu alone is worth a trip). That takes care of one block and one side of the street!

If you want Dim Sum for Sunday brunch go south of the Plaza and search out Bo Lings in the Boar of Trade building. Their regular Chineese is the best in town, too, but I am hitting the highest of high spots and jumping over some excellent but maybe harder to find spots as well as most of the chains (PF Changs and Cheese Cake Factory come immediately to mind).

Jumping back north across and along Brush creek just to the north there is a row of excellent eateries. IMHO RE-Retro has one of the best Martini's on the planet, as well as excellent sea food (here in KC?)

Don't visit KC without hitting Bar-B-Que and KC Masterpiece on the Plaza is a good place to _START_. Along those lines, if you can get away from the Plaza BB's Lawn Side Bar-B-Que has one of the best smoked pork chops I have ever eaten, and a side benefit of live blues. Ok the order of preference may be a little skewed. Go for the blues and beer and have some excellent Bar-B-Que.

Go to the 'burbs and you will eat yourself silly at Oklahoma Joe's, Jackstack, or Aurthur Bryant's BBQ.

Go north to the City Market and you can find oriental, Mexican and Italian. All excellent.

Oh, I didn't mention the northern extension of Mexico City in KC; South West Blvd. Chile Pepper magazine has noted that KC has the largest number of Mexican restaurants per capita of any city in the country.

Want authentic German? Although it is in Independence, (go see tthe Trails museum while you are there, and the Truman House and the Presidential library) the Rhinelander is a (often roliking) German Gasthaus and Winegarten.
All this and I haven't even mentioned Steak houses!

If you are rich, I am single and I would love to take you on a tour!

Answer 2

First of all, KC is big and there are several places to go and see. Most people will tell you places to go in the suburbs - Overland Park, Lee's Summit, North Kansas City, etc. This is all good, but don't limit yourself to the 'burbs.

Spend some time on the Plaza. There are a lot of great places to go there. Once on the Plaza, just walk around and you will find the restaurants and bars.

Irish - O'Dowds (Plaza) http://www.kcrestaurantguide.com/odowds.htm
Asian - Blue Koi (39th Street) http://www.kcrestaurantguide.com/blue_koi.htm
Wine, Hors Doveurs - Joe D's Wine Bar - Brookside http://www.kcrestaurantguide.com/joed.htm
French Bistro - Aixois http://www.kcrestaurantguide.com/aixois.htm
Best Pizza Anywhere - Waldo Pizza http://www.kcrestaurantguide.com/waldo_pizza.htm

night life - Plaza (of course), Brookside (but not so much), Overland Park (lots of places), Ask someone about First Fridays if you're going to be here the first Friday of the month.

Enough! Have fun.

Answer 3

Skeeter and Phil have both had great answers so far, but I wanted to emphasize on going out to the Plaza. Yet without actually having Kansas City's TRUE finest barbeque you really didn't have a fine trip - Arthur Bryant's and Gates. Two places in Kansas City that everyone loves for good reason, old-school service done right. You'll wonder why these places always have people in them... the best

Oh and another place: goto Jasper's for some italian sausages with onions and peppers - DELICIOUS.

Answer 4

Enjoy your visit, KC is a great place, the first poster has already given you several good tips.

I might add, on the Plaza, in addition to O'Dowd's, you might also try Tom Fooleries.

In Brookside, go to the Brooksider. Your age group will start massing about eight.

For all age groups, and some of the best Blues around, try BB's Lawnside Bar B Que. Fun, fun time.

All are great places.

Answer 5

I live in KC and some good places to go are George brett's (on the plaza), the cheesecake factory is good too. as well the elephant bar is a nice classy place to go. If you are looking for Steak Herford house, of Jess and jims are the best choinces. Huston's also has good food. these are only a few places to go. here is a list of some others http://www.kcrents.com/Kansas_City_Restaurants.asp

Answer 6

I live in KC. I would recommend the Cheesecake Factory on the Plaza. It is very good food and there is lots of shopping there. Every womans dream.. Lol. Have fun!

Answer 7

I highly recommend O'Dowds on the Plaza (47th st) between Ward Parkway and Main...enjoy

Answer 8

My aren't we a little prentensious and uppity? Loose that attitude before you show up in Kansas City as you may get a nose bleed from sticking that nose of yours so far up into the air as it won't fly in KC.With an attitude like that I dought that anybody will talk to you or give you good service in any resturant or bar.

Answer 9

the cheesecake factory on the plaza is good. if you don't want to go their then if you go to the plaza they have a lot of upscale restaurants. like Brio is really good its also on the plaza.

Answer 10

Brio's on the Plaza is excellent. You need to stay in the Plaza area. It is right up your alley.