Ideal Dining Spot In Kansas City, Special Snowflake Edition
December 21, 2015 7:29 PM Subscribe
Meeting friends in KC for late-ish dinner. Would like to find someplace quiet, comfortable, and somewhat reasonably priced. Bonus points for ease of travel to Union Station. Details inside.
I'm picking up a friend from Amtrak late (around 10 p.m.) Saturday the 26th of December. Beforehand, will be meeting KC area friends for dinner. Looking for a place that won't rush us out the door, has comfortable seating, and is reasonably quiet for extended conversation/hanging out. Good beer selection a plus. Looking to spend around $15-20 per entree, although that can stretch if you have the perfect spot in mind. Doesn't have to be especially close to Union Station, but something that's not way off the beaten track appreciated. Any kind of food, although we're all committed omnivores, so vegetarian/vegan is probably off the table, so to speak. Thanks.
I'm picking up a friend from Amtrak late (around 10 p.m.) Saturday the 26th of December. Beforehand, will be meeting KC area friends for dinner. Looking for a place that won't rush us out the door, has comfortable seating, and is reasonably quiet for extended conversation/hanging out. Good beer selection a plus. Looking to spend around $15-20 per entree, although that can stretch if you have the perfect spot in mind. Doesn't have to be especially close to Union Station, but something that's not way off the beaten track appreciated. Any kind of food, although we're all committed omnivores, so vegetarian/vegan is probably off the table, so to speak. Thanks.
The Westport neighborhood is another good option. Google Maps tells me it's 3 miles from Union Station. Specifically, I've had several good meals at the Westport Cafe and Bar. Their dinner menu has many options in your price range. The cuisine is French, but not really upscale.
Also seconding the Vietnam Cafe. Last time I was in KC there was a bit of a line to get a table, but definitely worth it
posted by timelord at 10:53 PM on December 21, 2015
Also seconding the Vietnam Cafe. Last time I was in KC there was a bit of a line to get a table, but definitely worth it
posted by timelord at 10:53 PM on December 21, 2015
One of my new favorite places to eat is Ollie's, which is just over a mile from Union Station. The food is good and it's relatively quiet. My husband has some hearing difficulties and we can carry on a conversation at a normal volume in there. Their beer selection is pretty great - we can usually find something we haven't tried before. The staff has always been very nice and friendly when we've been in there.
posted by whatideserve at 5:16 AM on December 22, 2015
posted by whatideserve at 5:16 AM on December 22, 2015
Thirding Vietnam Cafe. So good!
Grunauer is an Austrian restaurant with a great beer menu. It's a 3 minute walk from Union Station. Delicious, hearty food and they don't rush you at all.
I hear that Lidia's next door is phenomenal Italian, but haven't been there myself.
Pretty much everywhere in Westport and P&L will start getting loud on Saturday night. 39th street has a lot of more laid back options in your price range.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 6:47 AM on December 22, 2015
Grunauer is an Austrian restaurant with a great beer menu. It's a 3 minute walk from Union Station. Delicious, hearty food and they don't rush you at all.
I hear that Lidia's next door is phenomenal Italian, but haven't been there myself.
Pretty much everywhere in Westport and P&L will start getting loud on Saturday night. 39th street has a lot of more laid back options in your price range.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 6:47 AM on December 22, 2015
I agree Grunauer would be a good choice. I'll also throw out The Jacobson --- some of the entrees are above your stated price range, but the burgers are the way to go anyway, and those are reasonably priced.
If your group is up for something a little more adventurous, I suggest Voltaire in the West Bottoms. There are some pretty clear photos of the interior of the restaurant on the website in the "Galleries" section, which you might find helpful.
Westport Cafe mentioned above is great, but parking may be an issue down there at prime time on Saturday.
posted by slenderloris at 7:18 AM on December 22, 2015
If your group is up for something a little more adventurous, I suggest Voltaire in the West Bottoms. There are some pretty clear photos of the interior of the restaurant on the website in the "Galleries" section, which you might find helpful.
Westport Cafe mentioned above is great, but parking may be an issue down there at prime time on Saturday.
posted by slenderloris at 7:18 AM on December 22, 2015
The strip of restaurants that includes Lidia's and Grunauer also includes one of the Fiorella's Jack Stack locations if you're interested in some Kansas City-style barbecue. (I can vouch for Jack Stack and Lidia's both being quite good).
I wouldn't recommend P&L because it will be loud and nearly everything there is pretty national restaurant chain-y (or it was when I lived there a few years ago).
posted by dismas at 4:10 PM on December 23, 2015
I wouldn't recommend P&L because it will be loud and nearly everything there is pretty national restaurant chain-y (or it was when I lived there a few years ago).
posted by dismas at 4:10 PM on December 23, 2015
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If you and your friends are up for slightly fancier upscale pub fare you could also try your luck in the Power and Light District downtown -- a straight shot from Union Station. There are a bunch of excellent establishments within a two or three block radius. Just park and walk around until you see something that suits.
And I should put in a plug for one of my favorite places to eat in the city, the Vietnam Cafe across from KU on Rainbow Blvd. It is a scruffy-looking windowless restaurant which serves up extremely cheap and authentic Vietnamese. Highly recommended and would be a nice comfy place to catch up with friends.
posted by killdevil at 7:42 PM on December 21, 2015