Date Nights: Exploring the letter P in KC

It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day … How about “p”lanning one of the following for a great date?

Located in Brookside is a modern Italian restaurant called Plate. We went for our first time on a Sunday evening and enjoyed a four-course prix fixe menu. Our first course was caprese with green and red heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and arugula. It was exquisite. Next up was the arugula salad, followed by an order of their focaccia bread with white bean and garlic spread. Wow! I cannot say enough good things about that bread. It pretty much melted in my mouth. Our main entrees were the pappardelle (him) and ravioli (me). Both were very different from each other, and both had awesome flavors. Last, but certainly not least, was dessert. White chocolate cheesecake with a blueberry gelée and candied blueberries and walnuts. We promptly scarfed it down. Plate offers comfortable dining and a friendly staff.

Do you and your significant other enjoy playing games? If so, pick an afternoon or evening and head to Pawn & Pint. It’s located downtown and is the area’s only board game pub. And, wow, do they have the games! Around 1,200 or so! When we went, we decided to try some we had never played before. We liked one of them so much, a card game, that we bought it online when we got home. While we were there, we also enjoyed some drinks from their bar and ordered pizza for delivery from KC Kitchen & Pizzeria. Pawn & Pint has partnered with them for food, as well as with the Homesteader Cafe next door. You can’t go wrong with either. And the best part is that you don’t even have to get up from your table. Pawn & Pint does impose a $5 pay-to-play cover charge, but it’s worth it for a fun and unique date night. We definitely will return.

On a recent Saturday morning, we settled down in our cozy loft to watch a live, on-video production of The Phantom of the Opera done at Royal Albert Hall in London. I am 43 years old and had never seen this particular musical. I didn’t even really know the story. But I had always wanted to. And I wasn’t prepared for how emotional and heart-wrenching and poignant that story would be. It drew me in from the very start and never let go. It’s the story of a deformed and murderous composer—feared by all—who lives in the catacombs below the Paris Opera House. And it’s also a story about a love triangle involving Phantom, a young soprano and her childhood friend. The cast was superb, with awe-inspiring talent. The costumes were impeccable. And of course, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music stole the show. This production is the best you can get without actually being at the show. It combined the best of theater, opera and film. Truly a masterpiece.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.