Romance and Dining in Kansas City
The People's Choice
Joyce Walsh, Premier Cru Wines
Romantic is dining out during the week when it is less crowded to get the best service. Eating finger foods or entrees to be shared like sushi, fondue, or Chateaubriand. Drink Champagne even when it's not a holiday!
Romantic Recommendations: Sushi at Jun’s while sitting on the same side of the tatami. Dining at Capital Grille in a booth while sharing the Porcini-rubbed Delmonico. Going to bluestem for its cozy atmosphere and unequaled food - so decadent! Tatsu's, and Il Trullo, warmth and homey feeling. Gourmet to go? Cupinis. Or Bo Lings for takeout. Anywhere that has great service. Servers that know when to interrupt and when not to. Clumsy service, especially for wine, is distracting.
Pam Taylor, PresentMagazine.com
My favorite place for full-on romance is Le Fou Frog. It's the kind of place where every sexy, juicy bite and sip reminds me of the zipper thrill of falling in love at the best party of the year. In addition to an exquisite dining experience, I urge you to take time to have a cocktail at the bar before being seated...and plan to linger there after eating heavenly crème brûlée. If your love life is becoming a bit vanilla, waken up all your senses with Aphrodite's muse, Le Fou Frog.
I love PotPie's casual warmth: a preview to the afterglow. Drinking wine out of short juice glasses and tasting comfort food at it's finest warms me and wows me from the inside out.
For me, an important part of my dining pleasure comes from the server. Someone who can linger a bit, helping to birth an ambiance of connectedness and show an appreciation for what's about to happen. Someone who can acknowledge the secret without making it their own...flirting with you about flirting with each other.
Romantic Recommendation: Le Fou Frog and PotPie. Both these favored restaurants are run by impressive couples who inspire not only a great love for food, but also inspire us to love each other well. And a second dessert at home.
Kelly Ludden, Kelly Ludden Design
Osteria Il Centro is a lovely romantic experience. I miss that little Italian place on the Plaza where Vinca is now... Small, intimate. Cozy. Not rushed. Le Fou Frog is another good one. A small non-chain venue where you honestly feel that their intention is that your experience is a romantic and lovely one.
Romantic Recommendation: Osteria Il Centro, Le Fou Frog.
Sarah Carpenter, singer/musician, Dirty Mae
A romantic dinner: tulips or lillies on the table, maybe orchids if you're really going for broke, dinner could be at La Bodega, Thai Place, even Gates on Main in the bar. It totally depends on the company I'm with - any place could be romantic with the right guy because romance only happens when people have the right chemistry for a fun and lovely evening.
Romantic Recommendation: La Bodega, Thai Place, Gates...with the right person.
Eric Schotland, Eric Schotland Design
Romantic for me relies on my mood as much as the food, ambiance, etc. La Bodega is a great place to take a date and can be romantic if I'm in the mood for the lively atmosphere and the great food. If I want mood lighting and quiet, I can take your pick of Aixois, bluestem, or even City Tavern. All offer excellent food (although I've had an experience with rude service at bluestem).
Romantic Recommendation: La Bodega, Aixois, La Bodega, Bluestem, City Tavern.
Kristin Raven
The lights are somewhat low, the ambiance can be formal or casual but it must be Unrushed. Atmosphere is more important than trendiness. The service staff must be superior and unobtrusive. Most of the time, there will be good wine. A breakfast in bed, or bed-and-breakfast can be romantic too... I guess what has to be there is quality and personal attention; being treated with special attention. Romantic is knowing someone went to great lengths to make things perfect for you!
Romantic Recommendation: Breakfast in bed, bed-and-breakfast, taking it slow.
Chef Jasper Mirabile, Jasper's Restaurant
What do we consider romantic? How about something old, something new! Traditional dishes from the past such as flaming pepper steak and cherries Jubilee, or a lobster risotto and polenta tres formaggio and served dinner by the fireplace at Jasper's. I also think a nice romantic dinner on the patio during the summer overlooking the beautiful Indian Creek with the water flowing in the background and the sounds of the evening! A taste of gelato, some Andrea Bocelli, sipping some cappuccino and a taste of grappa,what could be finer?
Romantic Recommendation: Jasper's.
Catherine Armbrust, Cadence Fiber Arts
I think breakfast in bed and picnics are my favorites. I love going to Loose Park and putting out a blanket under a big tree. Laying there all day drawing or painting and eating yummy food––French bread, cheese, apples, chocolate. My husband and I have traveled a lot and that is our favorite thing when we're in other countries––picnics with bread and cheese. Grapes and strawberries too. And super juicy, fresh figs. Fruit is so freakin' sexy!
In restaurants and everywhere I go---Lighting is very important. I like medium to low light. I don't want the joint to be too loud. The type of food doesn't matter too much. I've been really working on my own definition of just what romantic is. I love Grand Street, but I also think Winstead's can be romantic too...just depends on your mood. Is romance looking longingly and passionately into someone's eyes? Or smiling and laughing at everything they say because they are the most clever person you've ever met and you just love them more than anything?
To wine and dine my man in fancy style, I would take him either to Grand Street or Lidia's or the like. Good pasta, luscious desserts, port wine after dinner. We also like going to hole in the wall Vietnamese joints and sharing spring rolls and the fried sweet potato/shrimp dish---lots of sexy finger lickin'!
Romantic Recommendation: Loose Park picnic, Grand Street Cafe, Winstead's, Lidia's, sexy finger lickin' foods.
So there you have it, Kansas City. Romantic notions are alive and well if you have the desire to woo your loved one. Have different ideas on where to go and what to do? Email present@presentmagazine.com with your suggestions.
Related Articles:
Read Past Articles · the Archives
Fun Thumbs
