Kansas City Restaurant Week
A How-to Guide
It's almost time for Kansas City's Restaurant Week (Jan. 17 - 26, 2014) in Kansas City! A welcome respite after a seemingly similar parade of holiday foods and winter soups... this is the annual event when local chefs shine! It's the perfect opportunity to check out new and familiar restaurants while sampling food you may not have enjoyed before. I believe Kansas City is the Culinary Capital of the Midwest. The Zagat Survey consistently calls Kansas City the No. 1 dining bargain of all the major cities it reviews, with many of our favorite local restaurants winning Zagat's top honor annually.
AND, it is also satisfying to know that 10% of the price of each multi-course meal purchased will go to these three charities:
- Harvesters’ mission is to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow. Our network includes more than 620 nonprofit agencies throughout our 26-county direct service area, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes, homes for the mentally disabled and shelters for battered persons. Our network provides food assistance to as many as 66,000 different people each week. Harvesters is a certified member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, serving all 50 states.
- The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation funds shall be used for the sole purpose of educating members in new or continuing practices, providing various types of training specific to the hospitality industry, developing new educational programs, and offering scholarships to deserving members of the community.
- The Kansas City Regional Destination Development Foundation (KCRDDF) is a 501(c)3 foundation that is administered under the auspices of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association, an organization that’s been in existance since 1918. The KCRDDF focuses on the identification, development and advocacy of tourism products in Kansas City regional communities. The KCRDDF oversees the Heartland Tourism Ambassador Training and Certification Program and provides career development opportunities in tourism, with specific interest in at-risk populations, including youth, minorities and seniors. In addition, the KCRDDF serves as an incubator for events designed to enhance Kansas City’s image as a convention and tourism destination.
Great food, great prices, all while helping a great cause!
If you've never participated in Kansas City's Restaurant Week, we have the scoop on the How Tos, Our Faves, and Simple Tips to make the most of your experience!
What is KC Restaurant Week?
During Restaurant Week, (Jan 17- 26, 2014), local restaurants offer special price fixed menus at participating restaurants. Multi-course lunches are $15 and dinners are $33. You may still order from the traditional menu, but the Restaurant Week menu is the best bargain and opportunity to try new things. Chefs will prepare their favorites and may experiment with new dishes as well.
Which Restaurants are Participating and How Do I Choose?
With over 100 participating restaurants, it is tough to choose! So, these are our tips for planning:
- Visit the KC Restaurant Week website where you'll find a restaurant list, or visit the main page where you can search by cuisine or area of town!
- Each restaurant listing includes Menus, Descriptions, Directions, and Photos to help make your selection.
- Use our tips below to follow reviews and blogs to help you decide!
Tips to for the Best Restaurant Week Experience
- Follow the KC Restaurant Week Facebook Page where professional reviewers, culinary experts, and regular diners like you are using the social media platform to chat up their fave (and not so fave) picks. Local bloggers are reviewing and writing about Restaurant Week all week long, and you'll learn more insider tips and tricks that way!
- If you're "on the go" - and if you're eating out, you are.... the mobile app is TERRIFIC! This is one of my fave local apps. Real people write on the Fan Wall telling you what they tried, sharing faves, and reviews. You can easily search for restaurants by cuisine and location, including choosing one nearest you. Download the KC Restaurant Week App.
- Use the "Open Table" Reservation system on the KC Restaurant Week website to save waiting time.
Four of my Favorites
These are a few of my personal FAVES (though I'm excited to discover NEW faves):
207 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108-2018816.474.7696
The family owned restaurant has been a Kansas City favorite for three decades. Their dinner menu includes their delicious Monterey Cheese Dip, three great entree choices - including their sizzling fajitias, and several delicious desserts with my favorite being the sopapillas. On Fridays and Saturdays enjoy the live mariachi band.
McCormick & Schmick's on the Country Club Plaza
448 W 47th St. Kansas City, MO 64112816.531.6800
McCormick & Schmick's is a beautiful restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. With a stained class dome ceiling, indoor and outdoor (in nice weather) seating, and their signature "Snugs" (private booths with curtains) that may accommodate groups of 4-7, the restaurant is great for a date night or a group. My husband and I both love this restaurant, each of us with a favorite dish... so while they serve 30 varieties of fresh fish and seafood daily, and we have tried many of their dishes, over the years I've grown so loyal to my favorite, I keep coming back.
My husband's favorite - steak medallions with lobster tail - is part of the Restaurant Week Dinner Menu! Note: McCormick & Schmick's most famous dessert, the Chocolate Bag, is not offered on the price fixed menu... it's a rich treat you won't forget, but all of their desserts are great! Enjoy the Créme Brûlée or Cheesecake this time, and return for the Chocolate Bag!
Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue - Martin City
13441 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, MO 64145816.942.9141
True, ALL Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue locations are fabulous, but there is something really special about the original. I simply prefer the atmosphere, and I must admit it holds a lot of great memories as our family's top pick for celebrations! Just driving past the restaurant with the windows cracked and you'll catch a whiff of the magic from the kitchen. Yes, Kansas City is the Barbecue Capital of America, and yes, there are MANY fabulous BBQ restaurants... but Fiorella's Jack Stack will always be King in my book. I love the sauce, I love the meat, and I love love love their side dishes (the Onion Rings are "dessert" IMO - a first course option for both lunch and dinner menus). They serve great chicken and fish (offered on the restaurant week menus), but I wholeheartedly recommend the ribs - if you're going out for barbecue, enjoy barbecue!
Several Locations Across the Metro.
Pizza? "How very motherly of you," you're thinking. Well, yes. Let's face it, we have kids (welcome to KCParent.com!) and they like to eat out too! So, our top pick with the kids is Spin Neapolitan Pizza. Why is it a Top Pick? We love that the Restaurant Week Menu includes a small pizza (your choice), salad, drink, gelato AND $5 for your next visit! Great value and great for the ENTIRE family!! Spin serves delicious artisan pizza, salads and gelato, made by hand in the restaurant. With several locations across the metro, it's convenient and family-friendly!
Sooo... now it's your turn to sound off! What are you most excited to eat during KC Restaurant Week?