Cafe Verona

Café Verona
Address: 206 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050

Phone:(816) 833-0044

Prices: $$

Reservations: Yes (opentable)
KC ORIGINALS
Website: http://www.cafeveronarestaurant.com/


Located on the historic Independence Square, Café Verona offers up Italian cuisine in a quaint surrounding.  Wednesdays are 1/2 price wine night (and tend to be the night we end up going - completely by coincidence).  Tim has previously been to Café Verona years ago and was not impressed - food felt dated and prepared from frozen with bland flavors.  He vowed not to return for quite some time, and didn't.  On a whim about 2 months ago, we decided to try it again when looking for something close to home. Going in with low expectations, we were certainly impressed by the updated menu and flavor of the food!  Service was efficient, food was unique and delicious, and we found a new favorite local restaurant.


What tends to be a forgotten area of Independence, which is sad, because there are some very unique and special places, Café Verona strives to bring an upper class vibe to the streets of the square.  An outdoor dining area welcomes you to this establishment, mimicking an outdoor café in Italy - we can't wait to try it out later on this summer.


Some of our consistent talking points about Café Verona are this:  service is good, but sometimes too fast.  Appetizers are quickly followed by salads which are also quickly followed by entrées.  While at the same time, waiting for drinks can sometimes take a long time (but we think that's because Tim orders specialty items), but when watching the bar upon arrival, bartenders tend to work at their own obviously slow and meticulous pace, so that is part of it too.  But, the drinks, once delivered, have always been flavorful and spot on. 


For this visit, we got our staple entrée - pesto gnocchi with ribeye steak for Paul (okay, Tim usually orders this with the gorgonzola etc. toppings of the ribeye steak entrée and it's delicious - he absolutely loves it), and Tim tried the chicken carciofi for the first time.  Considering we order the pesto gnocchi literally EVERY time we dine here, we will say this is the absolute best thing on the menu.  The chicken carciofi was also very yummy too.  The only negative was the pasta rosa which tasted blah (for lack of a better description).  Paul is the more adventurous when ordering from the menu, and has tried numerous things such as the mac'n'cheese and the chicken orecchiette and has enjoyed them all while Tim usually is the one who lucks out with the pesto gnocchi.  To top it all off, the entire menu is quite reasonably priced with entrees usually coming in under $20 including bread and a side salad.  Side note on the salads ... they've recently started "making their own ranch and blue cheese dressing" according to our server.  They weren't that good and should probably revisit the recipe on those.  Tasted very watered down and didn't have the traditional flavors included in those dressings.  We were severely under impressed with the homemade dressings.  So, our suggestion would be to go with another dressing offering.


If looking for something out of the KC downtown food scene for a unique dining experience, try the Independence Square and Café Verona (and especially the gnocchi with ribeye ... seriously, it's absolutely delicious).

Pesto Gnocchi with Grilled Ribeye

Chicken Carciofi

Renee Kelly's Harvest

Renee Kelly's Harvest 

Address: 12401 Johnson Dr, Shawnee Mission, KS 66216

Phone:(913) 631-4100

Prices: $$

Reservations:  Yes (OpenTable)

Website:  http://reneekellysharvest.com/
(as of posting, the website is not current with menu options)
 
So, last night we went out to Renee Kelly's Harvest.  Never heard of it, but had received a Visa Gift Card for Christmas with specific instructions to dine at Harvest with it.  So, we finally found some time, and made the arrangements.  I can tell you we will rarely write a review this quickly for our dining out experiences, so when I tell you this place is special - trust me, it is.

First, since we had never heard of it before, we were unsure of the dress code, and since it's in an old castle, we thought we should dress up.  We were disappointed to see many in the restaurant did not share our enthusiasm for making this dining experience a nice one.  Shorts, t-shirts, very casual attire for this nice of a restaurant was a disappointment to see.  Now, the wait staff is in jeans and white shirts which accentuates and emphasizes the farm-to-table atmosphere so it's understandable why it wouldn't be viewed as a "dressy" place for those who frequent, but we thought it was going to be more classy given the location and appearance of the website.  But, nonetheless, even though we were in slacks and ties & others weren't, it didn't distract from our dining experience.  Lesson:  dress code is more "come as you are" but should be nicer.

Second, you need to know this is a bit of a drive for those on the eastern side of Jackson County.  It's at least an easy 35-40 minutes depending upon your starting point, so just plan ahead and know it's going to take some time to get there and back.  I wouldn't make plans to go if you're on a specific time schedule, that's for sure!

Third, the menu is farm-to-table and changes seasonally.  We hit right after the spring menu change, and had wonderful options to select from.  Knowing it changes seasonally (and for brunch), this would be a great destination restaurant for seasonal flavors prepared in a unique way and simply delicious.

Now, let's talk about our experience.  When we entered through the front doors, we were in awe of the space of the place.  It's open and airy with multiple levels of dining due to the castle format when it was built.  There's a back courtyard, a wine cellar, and level after level of places to explore and experience.  Love the exposed stone walls and the simple decor which doesn't distract from the history of the building. The restaurant wasn't packed by any means, had about 5-6 tables sat, but there is certainly the opportunity for this place to be busy and quite active with dining patrons.

Service - fast, friendly, efficient. Our server spoke very loudly for such an intimate experience and not much noise in the restaurant, but she was very personable and fun. Sadly, she hadn't tried much of the menu, so she was going off of what she had sold to other tables & their comments, but she was looking forward to trying it all (that's on the restaurant, not her - she should've been provided the opportunity to try food before service if necessary).  Other than that, they had 3 servers for the 6 tables, so lots of stop-overs by all servers to take care of needs at the table - take dishes, light candle, serve food, fill water, etc.  She was a bit quick to get orders and get us through our meal (discussed dessert menu while Paul still had quite a few bites left on his plate), but I think that was more because we were her only table for quite some time.  It was good service, so I'm happy with that.

Food - what everyone always wants to know about - we began with the charcuterie and enjoyed local cheeses and meats.  It's enough to share between 2-3, but not 4 like the menu says.  Because we had dined out a few times already this week, and had fish and steaks, both Paul and I opted for things we hadn't had recently and tried out the specials - I had the Cajun spiced pork chop with savory bread pudding and mixed greens while Paul had the pasta du jour of the night - fettuccine with chicken, green pepper, and a balsamic glaze.  Had I not had a steak the night before, I would've had the filet.  While my pork chop was prepared to temperature, it had some issues.  The bread pudding was more like a wet stuffing (without the celery & onions) and add cinnamon & nutmeg to it.  Really was more sweet than savory, but it was still very good.  The pork chop was not very well prepared, honestly, seasoning was blackened (burnt) on to one side while the other side had grill marks on half of the chop and the other half was probably left on the grill (as it was missing a little chunk of chop).  But, don't get me wrong, I still ate it because it was good, just had some issues. The mixed greens were seriously the best thing on the plate.  I could've enjoyed more of those, that's for sure!  Paul on the other hand had the pasta which while he was a bit scared of the balsamic glaze, when it was delivered, he was quickly a believer!  It was delicious! The flavors were well balanced, it was a large portion, and the whole thing was outstanding - I even snuck quite a few little bites from his plate it was so good!

Drinks - very nice and unique.  Paul had the Kansas Mule (a take on the Moscow Mule which we love). It was drier than we like, but still had good flavor.  His second drink was better, the Pimm's Cup.  Much more what he was looking for.  Tim had the cucumber mint vodka drink (no clue it's name) which won for "better drink" over Paul's first drink - very refreshing & the mint provides a lingering after taste that was wonderful!  Tim won on the 2nd drink of the evening too - it was their take on a lemondrop martini, and it was very lemony and delicious!

But, let's talk about the best part of the evening - dessert!  Since it was Paul's birthday dinner (#3), we decided to splurge on dessert again - this time having the S'mores.  OMGoodness - these are so good.  Homemade cookie bar layered with melted chocolate and homemade marshmallows squished between another cookie on top of a swipe of melted chocolate on the plate and more toasted marshmallows  This was SO GOOD!  Highly recommend you save room for dessert when you go to Harvest.  Our second choice (for next time we dine) will be the chocolate-pistachio cake!

So, the take-away from this dining experience - make a night of it & take your time, everything was delicious, I don't think you could go wrong with many of the offerings. Save room for dessert!  Explore the grounds, and enjoy a nice evening dining in a castle.
  

Affare

AFFARE
Address: 1911 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone:(816) 298-6182

Prices: $$

Reservations:  Yes (OpenTable - 1,000 point times available)

Website:  http://www.affarekc.com/

Probably one of the best unknown happy hour specials in town! Buy one item get one free (in bar/lounge area)! Not to mention great & unique drinks! Honestly, if you weren't looking for it, you'd probably drive right by it and never notice. It's location is hidden on Main, but once you find it, you'll keep going back!  They have wonderful specials (even a specific menu) for those who frequent the KC Lyric Opera on performance nights.

We have really enjoyed getting to know Affare, and although we typically go for happy hour, we've found the regular menu just as appealing and delicious.  The chef takes German cuisine and bumps it up a few notches to gourmet. Appetizers (from the bar menu) that we enjoy include the grilled cheese pretzel bun (delicious), the pork rinds, fried brie, kasespatzle (outstanding), & the pig wings (HUGE portion).  

Service can at times be slow (as can getting drinks from the bar), but if you're up front about plans or deadlines, they do a great job at accommodating your schedule and ensuring you leave on time, which we appreciate as many times we are on a deadline for a theatre event when dining here.

More food - dinner options have been delicious. The options from the garden, under water, in the barn, or simply traditional are unique and done in such a way that makes us happy!  Recommendations include the bratwurst trio, the jagerschnitzel, and the bison short rib when looking at the traditional dinner menu.  The key here is not to be afraid!  It's always been consistently good and we wish it had more consistent clientele. A truly hidden gem in KC; you should try it out.

Webster House

WEBSTER HOUSE
Address: 1644 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone:(816) 221-4713

Prices:

$$

Reservations Accepted:  Yes (OpenTable - look for 1,000 point times)
Website:  http://www.websterhousekc.com/


Impress your guests!  This restaurant packs a great "wow" factor for out-of-towners or is a great dinner spot before a show at the Kauffman Center.  Bonus - if you eat at Webster House, you can park in their lot for free if seeing an event!  We consider Webster House to be in our top 5 restaurants in the Kansas City metro.


An old school building (and being teachers, you know we're already in love), remodeled and reinvented as an antique store on the ground level and a restaurant on the second floor.  Old classrooms with original wood paneling, a dark-stained bar in the library, and decorated with art and antiques available for purchase, creates a nice ambiance full and rich in history. Depending upon which room you sit in, you can view downtown KC with Power & Light and Kauffman Center, or you can view the WW1 memorial and crossroads district.  Both views are outstanding glimpses of the Kansas City area and serve as a reminder of why KC is so great!


Service has been consistent to outstanding, which is nice.  Very friendly staff takes care of you and makes sure you enjoy your experience as a whole.  We've not had a terrible service experience, which is another reason why it's at the top of our list!


But, let's talk food.  The menu varies by season, and focuses on farm-to-table as much as possible.  I honestly don't think we've had anything bad here. Appetizers are large enough to share between two people, and have a southern flare to them - try the shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes, or our personal favorite the trio of spreads.  We have tried other salads here, but keep returning to the Roasted Poblano Caesar (and we recommend splitting it) - it fills the plate and is the best, clearly homemade dressing with such a great kick to it! For entrees, I'm a steak type of guy, and they have one of the best filets in the KC area - perfectly cooked, well seasoned and crusted, it is quite outstanding.  Paul, on the other hand, likes to vary his options and has probably tried most of the menu by now.  The cioppino, scallops, salmon, and short ribs have been fairly consistent for him (and he's loved whatever he's ordered).  He's a bit more adventurous than I am ... I stick with what I know is absolutely divine.  Desserts are delectable and dangerously portioned - again, we recommend sharing. But if something catches your eye for dessert, you won't be disappointed - that's for sure!


So, if you haven't guessed, we highly recommend Webster House for a fine dining KC experience.

Providence - New American Kitchen

PROVIDENCE NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN
Address: 1329 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105

Phone:(816) 303-1686

Prices: $$

Reservations:  Yes (OpenTable)

Website:  http://providence-kc.com/


We have only been to Providence a few times, but each time we have enjoyed it.  Located in The President Hotel in downtown KC (by Power & Light District), this is new life to an old space.  Previously The Drum Room (well, the bar is still the Drum Room), the menu was dated, unappealing, and after dining there, we swore we'd never return - and didn't - until Providence came in, remodeled, and updated the whole experience.  Now we've been back a few times and experienced great food and drinks. 

Our recommendations for food include the Apple Wood Smoked Meatloaf - this has been Tim's favorite (and you know he likes to stick with what he likes).  It's seared to create a wonderful crust and smothered in the most delicious gravy.  Paul, meanwhile, has enjoyed the braised heritage pork, the chicken ravioli, and the Scottish salmon.  All of which he gives rave reviews for. 

This is another place we hope to see succeed in the KC area - tends to be fairly empty when we dine (but the bar is typically packed), but the food is outstanding and hopefully more people in KC find out about Providence and give it a try.

Lidia's

LIDIA'S
Address: 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone:(816) 221-3722

Prices:

$$

Reservations:  Yes (OpenTable)
Website:  http://www.lidias-kc.com


I'm going to be extremely honest.  We've only ordered one thing from Lidia's, and we order it every time we go.  Lidia's Pasta Trio ($19) which is served tableside & different every time too.  We've been with friends who have ordered different items, and have raved about them, but again, being creatures of habit, this has been our consistent way to dine at Lidia's.  Located in the crossroads, Lidia's is such a treat.  Paul is a pasta junkie, so to get him his fix, this is our place to go. Everything is freshly made, and you can tell it's homemade goodness. 


The Pasta Trio is an all-you-can-eat experience of 3 differing pasta dishes. Made to order and brought directly to you in the skillet, and dished out to your plate at the table. You can have as little or as much of each pasta as you desire. It's the only way to go (according to us).  But, like I said, many of our guests and friends that we've dined with us at Lidia's have tried other things - and from sampling their plates, we've been impressed with those dishes too, but I can only speak on our personal experiences and choices, and Lidia's Pasta Trio is where it's at.  Also heard they have a wonderful brunch, but we've not tried it yet ... so when we do, we'll be sure to update you!

Fine Dining - Kansas City

Our first theme:  Fine Dining in Kansas City. (Well, our version of fine dining that is.)


First, you must know there is fine dining, and then there is FINE dining ... along with casual-fine dining!  So, how we classify a fine dining restaurant may vary from others, but it's our interpretation of what we consider to be fine dining establishments for a delicious dinner.  For these fine dining restaurants, we consider them to be dressy, but not terribly dressy.  You can get away with jeans and a nice top, sweater, or tie, and good looking shoes.  Stay out of the cut-offs and tennis shoes or flip flops for these places!  We've got a few locations to discuss later for that attire, but for these fine dining restaurants, keep it classy, Kansas City.


There are many factors that go into play when selecting a fine dining restaurant.  Special occasion, location, food options, and word of mouth to name a few.  We use our OpenTable account quite frequently to try out places around the KC metro area.  Some have been good, some great, and some have just been out of this world. 

How Do We Afford It?

Just a heads up ... as a coworker pointed out, you're both on teacher's salaries, how do you afford to dine out at all these places so often?  Well, 1) we don't have kids ... but 2) we utilize many different coupons and deals to make dining out more affordable. 


Such as: Groupon & Living Social (links on the right side of the page) are great for finding deals to assist in paying for a nice dinner (many times it's a 50% off deal).  So, we get the deal (spend $30 for $60 worth of food/drink), go eat out, get the bill for $120 and only spend another $60 (plus tip). 




There is also a KC Originals card for many local restaurants which will earn points for dining at those restaurants.  When your points (1 per dollar spent) add up to 150, you earn $10 on your card.  This also helps discount a meal ticket by up to half the bill if enough money has been earned.  You can earn points on this card in conjunction with using a groupon/living social coupon too!




Plus, if you make reservations through OpenTable, you earn points for each reservation (in many cities across U.S.).  For each reservation, you earn 100 points (unless it's a 1,000 point table for that time).  When they add up to 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 points, you can redeem for a dining check of $20, $50, or $100, respectively.  These dining checks can then be used at any OpenTable restaurant to help pay for your dinner! 




So, it all adds up - it's looking for coupons (about 2-3 times a week) on the sites, making reservations through OpenTable whenever we can, adding points to our KC Originals card to use later, and enjoying great food!  Simple as that.