Dinner in Kansas City, MO

[Karen1440]

I will be in KC the first week in May on an art trip. We are staying at the Raphael Hotel on Ward Pkwy. Dinner will be at The Plaza III Steakhouse, but I am coming in the day before, so will need a restaurant recommendation. Good food, price is not important if value for dollars. Is Jasper's still very good?

[Karen1440]

I am back from Kansas City and thank you all for your recommendations. We ate at Osteria il Centro and were very pleased. The other meals were taken care of and are not worth mentioning, as we ate as a group. Thanks again.

[KansasKate]

Jasper's is excellent and elegant. There certainly aren't any checkered tablecloths or candles in chianti bottles. However, if you won't have a car, you'll want to eat close to the Plaza.

Depending on what "walking distance" is for you, you could go a couple of blocks down Main St south of the Plaza.

Osteria il Centro is at 51st & Main. It's a small place with an intimate feel and good food.

Spin! Neapolitan Pizza is at 49th & Main. Great pizza & salads. Bonus: Glacé, Christopher Elbow's artisanal ice cream shop, is right next door!

There are, for better or worse, a lot of chains on the Plaza now --P.F. Chang's, Fogo de Chão, etc-- but also some very good independent restaurants and small local chains:

Blanc Burgers + Bottles: huge "gourmet" burgers

Gram & Dun; gastro pub

Bo Ling's: best Chinese in KC

JJ's: the sad news is that on Tuesday (19 Feb 2013) JJ's was completely destroyed when a gas main exploded.

You've been given several other good recommendations, but you might find them a little beyond walking distance from the Raphael.

Enjoy your stay!

[Karen1440]

Thank you , Kate. Certainly I don't want chain food and prefer a nice restaurant, not pizza or burgers. Walking distance is probably about 1/2 mile, if it is not raining. I did see that about JJ's. Domage.

[pollymerase]

I also recommend Julian. Delicious, small, homey, great atmosphere. The last time I was there I had a great housemade sausage with braised cabbage and pheasant cassoulet that is making my mouth water just thinking about it.

[2roadsdiverge]

Some good suggestions above. I like Bluestem, but it is pricy. JULIAN is a favorite.

I would also suggest on the Plaza, an easy walk from your hotel:
Starkers
JJ's
The Capital Grille - a chain, but a good one
Fiorella's Jack Stack - not the best BBQ in Kansas City (as if anyone could agree on THAT) but near the top and definitely the classiest. If you've never had KC barbecue, you should try some.

Others around town:
The Majestic (if you don't mind steak twice in a row) - a classic, old-school steak house and Kansas City jazz club
Michael Smith (apps next door at Extra Virgin if you want to be adventurous)
Stroud's - not exactly fine dining but said to be the best fried chicken in the world
If you don't mind a drive into the country, check out The Justus Drugstore. It really is exquisite -- farm-to-table with Berkshire pork as the centerpiece

[Karen1440]

Thankl you 2roads. We have The Capital Grille in Chicago.

Nobody mentions Jasper's. A reason?

[bbqboy]

Too old school for this crowd.
Jasper's has been around a long time, now run by the son.
A fine, if traditional checkered tablecloth type place.
Italian by Italians. :)

[Karen1440]

Thank you, bbqboy, i'm somewhat "old school" myself.

[bbqboy]

Give it a try. I bet you'd like it.
Here's their FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaspers...

[Karen1440]

Thanks again.

[jdl98]

i'd add location is also a drawback.

[Karen1440]

Talking about Jasper's I presume. I will look into all. Thanks.

[bbqboy]

Oh jeez,
Plaza to 103rd st is probably 20 minutes tops.
Straight out Ward Parkway and you're there.
KC is easy breezy as far as driving goes.

[Karen1440]

Um....not driving.

[bbqboy]

OK, that's a problem. :)

[Karen1440]

I think from all the suggestions, I will not have a problem finding dinner. Jasper's was of interest because we share friends on FB and I was curious.

[bbqboy]

Lots of dinner options, I've just always liked the place, and Jasper jr.

[jdl98]

i know that. thanks.

[jdl98]

i forgot to mention one of my all time faves and what i consider a true gem - Cafe Sebastienne - located inside of the kemper musuem...Chef Jennifer Maloney is amazing.

[jdl98]

Staying at the Rapheal, I would point you in the direction of Bluestem - arguably one of the best restaurants in KC. The Rieger, Tannin or Le Fou Frog are also great choices. I, personally, am not a fan of Aixois. Julian....I want to love but I'm just not there yet.

[Karen1440]

Thank you for responding. In the trip folder and I will look at the various suggestions' menus.

[SFLisa]

I have not been to Jasper's, but I have had an excellent meal at Chaz on the Plaza which is in the Raphael hotel. Both Julian and Aixois in Brookside have very good food.

[Karen1440]

Thank you, Lisa. Info goes into my trip folder.