Greetings from the other side of KC – I had the best time on my 30th-birthday weekend getaway! (Thank you so much for all your well wishes on the blog, and elsewhere, too. Sure know how to make a gal feel special!)
As I mentioned on Friday, I haven’t been to Kansas City in years and years. Both Ben and I love Minneapolis from living there after college and tend to just head up when we’re in the mood for a short trip, but hellooo, KC is closer and, as we found out this weekend, insanely delicious.
As soon as Ben told me to pack my bags, I texted my girl Ali from Gimme Some Oven – a KC resident and fellow foodie – for all her restaurant recommendations. We ended up eating our way through nearly her entire list and the meals just kept getting better and better. We were so impressed with the restaurant scene in KC, and I was so pumped to spend dinner on our last night with Ali! : )
We hit the road bright and early on Friday morning. The hem on the dress I planned on wearing on the car ride got a snag so we hopped over to my parent’s house real quick so my Mom could fix it (I know) plus they wanted to see the birthday girl. Done!
3 hours later we arrived in the city, parked, and walked into LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop.
Thai food might be my number 1 favorite food category, so this was an easy birthday lunch choice from Ali’s list. Located in a historic neighborhood called the Crossroads, LuLu’s is super cute and funky. Loved the low-key Bangkok vibe that’s cozy and welcoming.
Ben and I split fresh spring rolls served with a coconut-peanut dipping sauce to start. Crazy-fresh, and that SAUCE, omg that sauce. It was thick and peanutty with a hint of sweet coconut. So clever.
Polished off with a bowl of Pad See Eiw! LuLu’s lunch menu prices can’t be beat, and the portion sizes were just perfect. Every tray that passed our table looked utterly delicious too.
You can’t go wrong with any of the noodle dishes at LuLu’s me thinks!
Afterwards we checked in at our hotel – the Hampton Inn – which is one block off Country Club Plaza, famous for it’s shopping. The hotel was clean and parking was free. ‘Nuf said. : )
After freshening up, we hit said plaza for an afternoon of shopping!
One of the stores we were most looking forward to visiting was Restoration Hardware. The furniture and decor in this place fits both Ben’s and my taste (which is an absolute miracle) and we’re in need of some furniture for the new house.
We think we may have found at least once piece! This couch is seriously everything we’ve been dreaming of. Long, cozy, and FORTY NINE INCHES DEEP. Four people could spoon on this baby!
It was a hot day, so we stopped at Starbucks for refreshments later on. Only noted because I tried their new Valencia Orange Refresher – a lightly caffeinated juice/tea drink. It was so awesome. Sweet and tart. Loved it.
Later that night we headed to Kona Grill for mocktail hour. Kona is a chain but they had a great happy hour, and my virgin Mojito was perfection. I enjoy virgin mojitos just as much as the alcohol version. They are the ultimate in summer refreshment, and this one (ok two) was perfectly crafted.
Dinner was next at The Westside Local, a locally-sourced (whenever possible) farm-to-table type restaurant on the westside of Kansas City.
Ali described this as one of her favorite restaurants in town and Ben and I both immediately knew we were in for an experience as we walked in the front door. The decor was minimalist with earthy, sweet touches.
We wanted one of EVERYTHING on the menu!
Instead we settled on a martini for the man, with a lemon smile twist.
And a customized cheese plate, to start with. The Westside Local has pre-selected cheese plate options, or you can build your own, which we thought was pretty cool. An array of fresh fruit, house pickles, prosciutto, smoked gouda, and gruyere was a fine little appetizer to start the meal with.
Now when I say I wanted one of everything on the menu, I was not kidding. My entree decision was nearly impossible to make! Finally (finally!) I settled on the Kale Salad: kale, shaved brussels sprouts, slivered almonds, grated parmesan cheese, fried shallots, brown sugar bacon, maple-tahini vinaigrette topped with seared salmon. It was the maple-tahini vinaigrette that did me in. Ok and the bacon. The fried shallots too. All the things, really!
Ben inhaled his tenderloin topped risotto without breathing. The Westside Local totally nailed this fresh, light, local dinner. Highly recommend. (Make reservations via the website if you’re going for dinner!)
Afterwards I was craving something sweet, natch, so we stopped by Glace for an icy treat. Despite the little cardigan I’m wearing here, the heat raged into the night in Kansas City.
Nothing a little blueberry + caramel pecan ice cream couldn’t fix! Glace was great. Packed and free samples of their dozens of luscious, high-quality ice cream made with all-natural ingredients. So yummy.
The next morning we slept in (bliss) then hit up KC’s famous City Market. Saturday mornings are for farmers’ markets, and just because I’m not home doesn’t mean I don’t want to go!
This. Place. Was. HUGE!!
The packed farmers’ markets stalls are flanked by a year-round permanent market and there was fresh produce, baked goodies, and more for blocks and blocks.
Although we couldn’t really get anything, it was fun to check out another city’s version of the farmers’ market. KC’s was seriously legit!
Just a hop + skip over from the market is Quay Coffee, which Ali is always raving about, so we strolled over next for a refreshing pick me up.
It took a few minutes to get, since the place was absolutely packed, but the iced vanilla latte was totally work the wait. Super smooth. And the place couldn’t be cuter. Must try if you’re in the River Market area.
Ben and I took a few hours to explore the city via car next (if you’ll notice in the photo above, my feet were practically swelling around my flip flops,) and ended up at McCoy’s Public House for lunch.
McCoy’s is in the Westport neighborhood and has a can’t miss outdoor patio. Every seat is shaded by lush trees or big umbrellas. Perfect for a hot summer day when it’s, well, hot, but you don’t feel like being sequestered indoors.
McCoys’ beer menu looked absolutely outstanding. I was seriously drooling for a gulp! Instead I settled for an Arnold Palmer and a sip of Ginger Shandy Ben got a small glass of. Soooo good.
Talk about more tough decisions – I needed 15 good minutes to decide what to get off of their incredible menu. This never happens to me! After a year and half, I settled on the Barrio Salad: cumin-seared chicken, avocado, pepper jack cheese, charred corn, egg, pico, crispy tri-colored tortillas, tomato-chipotle vinaigrette. Perfect choice for the hot day. The smooth, fresh avocado was killer with the creamy pepper jack cheese and smoky tomato-chipotle vinaigrette.
Ben did the damn thing and ordered McCoy’s signature mac and cheese.
Like, 1,000 different types of cheese, accompanied by peas, bacon, and crispy bread crumbs. He declared it the best thing he’s ever eaten. I would…concur. So loved McCoy’s!
Ben and I had a blast hopping from district to district all over the city this weekend, and were totally impressed with the array of local-restaurant options (ps we tried multi times to go to Oklahoma Joe’s but the line was 1+ hour long and I was sadly too PG to stand that long!)
The city itself was really easy to navigate (we sort of felt like old-pros within a few hours) and has no shortage of beauty between the hundreds of fountains, Spanish-inspired plaza, and gorgeous river walk. The cocktail culture also seems to be off the charts and I cannot wait to come back soon and partake.
We will definitely be back to Kansas City!
Bev @ Bev Cooks 07.08.2013
Nice! You hit ALL my favorite spots. Seriously. And it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
So glad you had fun in my city!
Lindsay B. 07.08.2013
I just love Kansas City. It’s not too far from Tulsa, so always makes for a fun weekend trip. I’m super excited to try out some of those restaurants next time. And I’m also really sad for you to have missed out on OK Joe’s. It really is the BEST! I am 100% coveting that couch. They have a RH in Tulsa, and I like to go in and visit my couch on weekends, but sadly a one-bedroom apartment just does not have the room for it. Maybe one day. Sign up for their newsletters though – 20% off EVERYTHING right now, and they always send out $100 off $500 or more coupons. Which basically equates to everything in the store ;) Glad you had a wonderful mini-vacation!
Andrea 07.08.2013
I love this post…as a fellow mid-westerner I love hearing about great cities that are not so far away! We love RH too and just took advantage of their amazing friends and family sale…20% off through tonight:)
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 07.08.2013
YAY! This just completely made my morning!!! :)
It is so fun to see more pictures from the weekend, and hear about all of the dishes you tried. Holy cow, now I need to run to try that salad at McCoy’s!! And I vote yesyesyes on that couch. Looks unbelievable!
More than anything, it was so great to get to spend time with you both! Can’t wait to see you again soon with the little one! :)
Krissy @ Shiawase Life 07.08.2013
Yay! Glad you had such a fun birthday weekend! We were considering relocating to KC and we agree, it’s a beautiful, fun and tasty city! :D
E. Sue S. 07.08.2013
I’m really glad you had such a good time in our great city! Quick question, in the last picture is that chicken and waffles in front of your husband, and if so where did you get that? Would love me some great chicken and waffles! Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.08.2013
Definitely was – from the Beer Kitchen! McCoy’s had a version that looked TO DIE for too!
cassie - bake your day 07.08.2013
This is so fun! Lulu’s is one of my favorites, ever. Ali did give you some amazing recommendations. Now I’m craving all of my KC favorites!
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 07.08.2013
How fun! And you may not feel it at the moment but you make pregnancy look like a fashion statement. Love the couch you guys were looking at! I giggled out loud trying to visualize four people spooning on it. “Hey, do you guys want to come over to our house to spoon on our couch? We can fit two more.”
Sarah Gilmore Cummings 07.08.2013
I have been reading your blog for almost a year now and it is such a fun way to break from work :) My girlfriends and I are meeting up in KC this weekend and I’m wondering if you could share a few more things from Ali’s list?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.08.2013
You bet! Here are the ones we didn’t get to from her list:
Lunch/Dinners:
Oklahoma Joe’s (Mission)
Spin Pizza (Plaza)
Blanc (Plaza)
Extra Virgin (Crossroads)
Blue Koi (Westport)
Breakfasts:
Chez Elle (Westside)
Bluebird Bistro (Westside)
The Farmhouse (River Market)
Lara 07.08.2013
There’s also a Blanc Burger in Leawood, multiple Spin locations (Overland Park, Olathe, Lee’s Summit) and a Blue Koi in Leawood if you’re not in KC proper.
Rachel S. 07.08.2013
Next time you come, if you really want to go to Oklahoma Joe’s try the one at 35 and 119th. It’s not the original but there is more seating and you get in quicker.
Dani 07.08.2013
OK Joe’s is great food – the best way to avoid lines is take out, then go enjoy in a park or somewhere else inside. I’ve been pressed to find a time when the inside wait isn’t ridiculous! We also brought some home and stuck it in the freezer, the pulled pork was just as good after a month!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 07.08.2013
KC has some seriously good restaurants! That kale salad sounds incredilble and totally worth a recreate!
And that couch…wow.
Looks like you had a nice little baby moon together!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 07.08.2013
Btw, what kind of lens do you shoot with when your out and about?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.08.2013
These were all just my iPhone!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 07.08.2013
Haha, looking twice I could totally see that now. The iPhone does a pretty nice job but the eye behind the camera is what matters most, clearly! ;)
Lindy Vorrie 07.08.2013
Crazy! We went to KC to celebrate our anniversary this weekend too! We also fell in love with Restoration Hardware.
Tom T. 07.08.2013
Ginger Shandy sounds great. I’m always looking for new tasty beer. McCoy’s seems like my kind of place, gotta love a beer joint that has great food.
Vera 07.08.2013
Wow! I really loved this post! As a lifelong KC resident, it was so great to learn of new places to try in my beloved city! Thanks.
Katie 07.08.2013
My husband is from Kansas City, so we drive down several times a year. He always wants Gates barbecue, but last time we were there, we tried Gram and Dun on the Plaza and loved it. Great outdoor seating, and they had the BEST scallops in the world (weird, I know, in a landlocked city). Also, fries cooked in duck fat. Hallelujah.
Andi 07.08.2013
My birthday was Saturday, we ate at west side local on Wednesday for it. Their grilled cheese is to die for!!! Kona grill is one of my fave places on the plaza. I work close to city market love going their for lunch the bakery and Italian Place so good. I’ve lived in kc for 6 years now and just discovering all these awesome local places which makes me sad. Close to west side local is an amazing vegan place füd.
Jeanie 07.08.2013
We live in Wichita and KC is a favorite destination! We were just there and I wish I had seen your Lulu recommendation first! We drove by it multiple times. We always stay at the Hotel President downtown. Beer Kitchen across from McCoys is yummy! This trip we hit Bristol Seafood and Lidias for Saturday Brunch. Lidias brunch was awesome! We have enjoyed a little Vietnamese place that is on a corner near the River Market…cant remember the name. Another must shop is River Bottoms first weekend. It is only held the first weekend of the month but amazing antique, junk and cute accessories. You can google the website that advertises it. There is truly nothing llike KC, with its architecture, fountains, parks and charm. It is utterly addictive!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.08.2013
I should have mentioned – we ate at the Beer Kitchen for our last dinner there (had another awesome Kale Salad!) What a fun place that was!
Jen Jen 07.10.2013
You’re probably talking about the Vietnam Cafe…so yummy!
Aisling @ Sunny Side Up 07.08.2013
Looks amazing, what a fun weekend. Reading yours and other American based blogs is giving me such a long list of places to visit! Love your dresses too by the way, you look like you’re rocking being pregnant :-)
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope 07.08.2013
What a great weekend! That city is just adorable!! I drove through Kansas City when I moved to Dallas but I never had a chance to stop there. Definitely going on the bucket list!
You look adorable in that orange/pink/coral dress! Perfect color on you!