Taking a Visit to Kansas City

I am taking a spur of the moment trip to Kansas City on Thursday at staying for 5 days.

I'm aware of some places to go, like Arthur Bryant's and Strouds. I don't think bbq will really be an an issue though I am always open for more suggestions of where to go (or where to avoid).

I've been digging through threads and it seems like almost everything is 4-6 years old - unless I'm missing the new threads.

Any places more recent that are worth checking out? Or are there any old standbys that are no longer in business I should know of?

I'm interested in bbq, but also in any other regional specialties/styles I should try, whether chili, tex mex, a gridded burger, or otherwise.

Any any tips of cocktail bars/drinking establishments would be great.

Or anything else I'm overlooking!

Try this thread about a similar trip I took this summer. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=35400

Try http://lthforum.com/kc/

and here....
http://forum.kcrag.com/viewforum.php?f= ... afab1025ae

Thanks for the suggestions so far. That link to the Kansas City forum is especially helpful.

One thing I'm not seeing too much of are nice cocktail bars, breweries, and distilleries (ideally those that offer tours).

Any suggestions on that front?

Boulevard seems like a pretty big name out there - but it seems like it almost might be a little...too big? I've never had their beer - worth checking out?

You'd love Boulevard and the tour.

Hit the Reiger Hotel for very inventive cocktails.
Bluestem and Chef Colby at happy hour is up your alley.
Free State Brewery in Lawrence is 30 miles West if you want to explore.
Julian's in Brookside is a fine
place to dine run by chef Celina Tio, who used to be the chef at the American before she opened her own place.
If you make it to that neighborhood, try some cupcakes and other baked stuff from my friend Karen who runs Le Petit Rouge inside a kid's bookstore called Reading Reptile and tell her bbqboy
said to ask for her recs.
You might like Woodside BBQ on Merriam Lane in KCK, especially on Friday when they feature BBQ Salmon.
I can't link the exact post, but if you go down 9 posts on page 20 you'll find a recap of friends from DC visiting Karen and her hub.
here:
http://forum.kcrag.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... &start=380
And I forgot about Neicie's.

Boulevard is well worth your time. Everything they make is worth your time and some are really outstanding.
Last time I checked it was taking months to get a tour reservation.
It is out of your way but Free State in Lawrence is very good too and they have an inventive kitchen in the pub.

Thanks, everyone. All the suggestions have been really helpful.

I'm on 55 right now, about an hour outside of Chicago.

Any suggestions on a lunch destination? I'm willing to push up or push back my lunch time, and also go somewhat out of the way, if necessary. Interested in anything you consider not to be missed.

You could do far worse than a burger and custard at Krekel's in Springfield.

****

Hey DClose...
First Friday in the Crossroads
http://www.facebook.com/events/107878176039594/
including Italian Steak Sandwiches from Little Italy, who surfaced in this thread......
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/Italian- ... m9894.aspx

wesuilmo wrote:Boulevard is well worth your time. Everything they make is worth your time and some are really outstanding.
Last time I checked it was taking months to get a tour reservation.
It is out of your way but Free State in Lawrence is very good too and they have an inventive kitchen in the pub.

I managed to score a last minute ticket for one of the Unfiltered Tours at Boulevard this Saturday! When I checked a couple days ago it was sold out, so either they had a cancelation or they hold back a few tickets and release them closer to the date.

My Saturday will consist of 2hrs at the Strong Ale Festival, followed by the Boulevard tour... better call a cab for myself...

I had a great time at Blue Stem tonight. The happy hour is really an unbelieveably good value, with most of the food about 1/3 off.

I started off with a great ABT variant - cherry peppers stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in thick cut bacon. You received 4 large peppers for $6.

I also had the shrimp and grits, which was hands down the best version I have ever had, at least by a factor of two. There were 6-8 shrimp, juicy and perfectly cooked, sitting atop a creamy, undoubtedly butter-filled pile of grits. The grits were not too finely ground, with a terrific texture. The whole thing was covered in a thin, savory gravy, which I'm just assuming is a red eye gravy.

Drinks are also well priced. I snagged a Manhattan on the rocks with amareno cherries (you have to ask for them or you'll get maraschino) for $4.50!

I also had the Old Square, which was bourbon, dolin vermouth, benedictine, bitters, and a couple other ingredients (this is what happens when you write the review the same night). They have a full menu of well prepared craft cocktails to match the cheaper happy hour basic cocktails. Craft cocktails run $9-$11.

I sat at the bar. Both bartenders we great and very talkative once the happy hour crowd subsided. They happily gave me a few more recs for my trip.