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| What a view: The Kansas City, MO skyline from the top of the Liberty Memorial. |
A few weeks ago, I visited Ruthie for a long weekend in
Kansas City (KC), MO. The
last time I visited KC, I was a wee diva and traveling with my family, so I was
excited to see what the “City of Fountains” had to offer me as an adult and as
a foodie. Aside from touring the National World War I Museum and visiting the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, (hello
extensive Picasso collection and Shuttlecocks)
Ruthie
took me on a culinary tour of KC that included Vienna, Paris, and even a little
sufferin’ Succotash.
Grünauer
Grünauer
As a former student who ate and drank my way through
studied my way through Austria, I’m always ready to take a walk down memory
strasse. With traditional dishes like Wienerschnitzel and Käsekrainer served
with a bottle of Salzburger Stiegl, I felt right at home at Kansas City’s
Grünauer. The interior space has the feel of an Austrian ski chalet with
exposed wood beams and dark wood accents. And while I enjoyed my Traditional
Wienerschnitzel, I wish I would have opted for Ruthie’s Hungarian Beef Gulasch
which was hearty, rich, and sehr gute!
Aixois Bistro (55th Street
location)
By far, my favorite stop on our tour de Kansas City was the
cozy and classy French bistro, Aixois. Named after the region in southern France
where owner Emmanuel Langlade called home, Aixois is the epitome of Kansas City joie de vivre. We started with the cheese plate which came
with an assortment of imported cheeses, fresh fruit, and the tastiest little
sampling of jam. If you’re stopping by Aixois before a visit to one of Kansas
City’s 200 fountains (as the Parisians would do) or if you’re simply enjoying
lunch like we did, the cheese plate is an absolute must. After two glasses of
Vieux Papes Vin Blanc each (as the Parisians would say, When in France…or Missouri), my lunch of soupe á l’oignon gratinée
(traditional French Onion Soup with Cheese Crouton) and Croque Monsieur Sandwich
arrived and it was très délicieux.
A cozy French bistro in the heart of KC? We'll drink to that!
If Aixois is my top spot for dining in KC, then The Rieger
(as locals know it) comes in a very close second. From the moment we were
greeted by the friendly hostess to the open kitchen concept to our delicious
dinner, this historic restaurant in Kansas City’s Crossroads Art
District lived up to my lofty expectations. While the
restaurant is fairly new, opening in 2010, the building itself has been part of
downtown KC since 1915 and many of the interior features are original to the
building. Using local and seasonal ingredients, chef and owner Howard Hanna has
brought this “Kansas City classic forward in time” with such dishes as my
dinner entrée, the Winter Squash Fettuccine. From my perfectly concocted French 75 to our superb service, The Rieger is proving that it will be as much a
part of KC’s future as it was its past.
*No photos of this meal exist because we were too busy
eating and drinking and loving the service at The Rieger.
Succotash Catering and Bruncheonette
Succotash is every hipster’s dream: Organic food, repurposed furniture and funky wall art. Ruthie took me to Succotash for my last meal in KC – Sunday brunch. Located in the Dutch Hill neighborhood, Succotash is the essence of the “farm to table” movement. Their eggs are delivered weekly from a local Amish community, their produce comes from a farm in Wathena, Kansas, and their coffee is brewed at Oddly Correct Coffee Roasters in KC. Owner Beth Barden is a former sex education teacher and Succotash, originally opened in 2001 in the River Market district, is a reflection of her sassy and bold approach. Ruthie enjoyed her breakfast sandwich, but my Wild Blueberry Pancakes were enough to feed the entirety of the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center – Succotash’s neighbor (a word to the wise – order the short stack!).
Succotash Catering and Bruncheonette
Succotash is every hipster’s dream: Organic food, repurposed furniture and funky wall art. Ruthie took me to Succotash for my last meal in KC – Sunday brunch. Located in the Dutch Hill neighborhood, Succotash is the essence of the “farm to table” movement. Their eggs are delivered weekly from a local Amish community, their produce comes from a farm in Wathena, Kansas, and their coffee is brewed at Oddly Correct Coffee Roasters in KC. Owner Beth Barden is a former sex education teacher and Succotash, originally opened in 2001 in the River Market district, is a reflection of her sassy and bold approach. Ruthie enjoyed her breakfast sandwich, but my Wild Blueberry Pancakes were enough to feed the entirety of the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center – Succotash’s neighbor (a word to the wise – order the short stack!).
