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!
Sara 07.09.2013
Yay! Glad you had fun and you look super cute prego! We are going to KC next month for Lola’s first Red Sox game so I really appreciate all of the recommendations :)
Dana 07.09.2013
Those salads look so delicious!! and the mac and cheese! Omg I really want to go to Kansas City now, and before this post I had no interest at all, LOL. I live in Bklyn NY and the food there in KC looks better than restaurants over here! PS – You are so cute Kristin!
Jill Weinreb 07.09.2013
You make me want to move the KC! Thanks for the great post.
Peggy 07.09.2013
OMG, I feel as if I was with you two! Looks like a great place to visit. We, too, have fabulous restaurants, come to Minneapolis!
Megan 07.09.2013
Headed to KC the first week of August and am so excited to try so many of these places! Thanks for all the recommendations! Happy belated birthday!
Emily 07.09.2013
I was so excited to see this post! I am a born and raised Iowa City, Iowa girl – Hawkeyes all the way :) And now live in Kansas City! Lulu’s is one of our MOST favorite places along with the Rivermarket! I was there Sunday too and secretly wish I could have ran into you. Kind of like a celebrity run in :) Glad you had a great time – another restaurant I would recommend is Grinders which was shown on Diners,Drive-ins and Dives…oooh and Burrito Bro’s in the Rivermarket….I could go on and on….this city has made me a food snob!
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Sammies with Crunchy Apple Slaw | Iowa Girl Eats 07.09.2013
[…] these Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Sammies with Crunchy Apple Slaw, inspired by a menu item at The Westside Local, for instance. I was this close to ordering ‘em for dinner when I decided it would be […]
jody 07.09.2013
Next time you’re in town, order Okie Joe’s to go! It’s super fast and you walk right up to the window to pick it up in about 15 minutes. It’s not quite the same as sitting in and taking in the environment but it’s still so good! Ben would love the Z-man!
Lisa 07.09.2013
There are so many great places in my hometown! Next time try La Bodega, garozzo’s ristorante, Stroud’s, Room 39, RAsushi, Left Frou Frog, Justus Drugstore, Bluestem, Aixois, The Rieger Hotel and the bar below, Manifesto. Some other: Michael. Smith, Grand Street Cafe, Extra Virgin,,
The Majestic,
Also do not miss the Kemper Museum of Contempory art and the Nelson Art Museum,
We have a fun city year round but I will admit it can get heliously hot in July and August, so other times are probably better.
Ann 07.08.2013
You have got to be one of the most adorable 30 year old’s expecting that I know! Happy to see that hubby of yours at least in a a golf shirt in one of the pictures – t’s have to go – ha ha! My husband and I spent our honeymoon in KC – at the Rafael – old world charm on the plaza – there is so much to do and we loved it! Now getting ready to celebrate #25 in Tuscany/Greece next summer. Kids are now 19, 17, and 15. Take it all in, it is a fabulous ride! I am a north shore girl, Toronto, and now north shore, but Central Iowan at heart….great place to raise those kiddos!
Nan 07.08.2013
I loved reading your post and seeing pics of KC, I haven’t been there for 30 years!! It’s such a beautiful city and there is no place quite like the Plaza! Thanks and safe travels home!
Tieghan 07.08.2013
So much good looking food!! I need to get to KC!
karen 07.08.2013
You look adorable! I love the cute dress/cardigan outfit you have on eating ice cream. Is that even a maternity dress? You are tiny! You and your hubby are too cute. Are you having any cravings?
Courtney East 07.08.2013
I absolutely LOVE your blog! You are so positive and upbeat and your writing is fun to read. I live in Cedar Rapids and you have helped me see the great things about Iowa (although Des Moines is way more fun than CR):). Also, could you be a more adorable pregnant person?! Seriously, you look great. Thanks for your great recipes and fun blog. :)
Mel 07.08.2013
My city! I’m glad you had such a good time in KC! When I moved here people asked why and I said- fountains and food. I’ll have to check out a couple of places you mentioned that I still haven’t been to!
LosingLindy 07.08.2013
looks like an amazing time
Sharon Molnar 07.08.2013
You look simply Radiant!
Ashley 07.08.2013
I love your post on KC! I have some new restaurants to add to my list. My husban and I are always looking for great – local – restaurants when we get a date night! OK Joes is totally worth the wait – I normally go to the one off 119 and i35 and the food is amazing!!
Lauren 07.08.2013
Yay! Glad you got to try so many awesome places, and it’s fun to see all of the other KC readers popping up in the comments! I need to go back to Westside Local for that kale salad!
Nina 07.08.2013
I lived in Kansas City for 35 years. Here are some more suggestions for the next time you head to Kansas City:
*Bluebird Cafe
*Eden Alley
*Le Fou Frog
*Stroud’s
*Garozzo’s
*Aixois
*d’Bronx