Need to rekindle the romance with your significant other? Check out these great ideas to help you do just that!
For a romantic and adventurous dinner, head to Corvino, a fine dining restaurant in the Crossroads featuring small plates. I recommend ordering several plates to sample, including foods you think you don’t like—something with caviar, tofu or mushrooms, perhaps? And whatever you do, you’ve got to try the seaweed donuts—they were featured in the 2022 New York Times article “25 Restaurant Dishes We Couldn’t Stop Thinking About This Year.” If you want something a little more traditional, Corvino’s burger is top-notch. After you fill your stomach, go enjoy their new cocktail lounge, Songbird, or take a three-minute walk over to Green Lady Lounge for drinks, jazz and a romantic, speakeasy-ish vibe.
A day trip up to Excelsior Springs, Mo., is a great romantic outing! Start your day at Willow Spring Mercantile with lunch in their bistro/wine cellar. You can’t go wrong with any of their menu items, but you should definitely try the open-faced curry apple tuna melt—it’s delicious! After lunch, browse their store, which has the world’s largest selection of Missouri wines. They also carry Missouri-made distilled spirits, craft beers, coffee, tea, gifts, kitchen items and gourmet foods. Next, head to Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery for a wine tasting and wine cave tour. Part of the tasting is done in the cave by candlelight, which makes for a romantic atmosphere (I recommend taking another layer of clothing, as it gets chilly). You might also consider staying the night at Payne Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast, where three of the rooms are located in what used to be a jailhouse in the 1920s–50s. Or consider The Elms Hotel & Spa, which has been open for more than 135 years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parkville, Mo., is a little town nestled next to the Missouri River that has charming shops and restaurants and is certainly worth a few hours of your day. For a delightful lunch, grab some picnic fixings and find a perfect spot to kick back at English Landing Park. Or, if a restaurant is more up your alley, head to lunch at Cafe des Amis, a French restaurant on Main Street. I recommend sitting on their beautiful patio if the weather is nice. Their crepes, quiche and mussels are just some of the many great choices on their menu. After lunch, head over to Rochester Brewing for a craft beer or coffee in an old train car!
For something more active but still romantic, try a “maker date.” Driftwood Ceramics in North Kansas City, Mo., offers a pottery making class on Friday and Saturday nights called Pots and Pints, where you can learn how to make a cup, bowl or plate while sipping on a pint of beer or glass of wine. It’s challenging and surprisingly therapeutic. Another great choice is Creative Culture in Westport, Mo., where they offer a variety of self-guided craft projects, including wreath-making, a plant bar, paint-your-own pottery, wood projects and more—plus over-the-top milkshakes that are perfect for sharing and a splatter studio where you can make a mess with your art. At Embers Candle Bar in Lee’s Summit, Mo., you and your sweetie can enjoy a pour-your-own candle experience. You’ll choose a candle jar, 2–3 scents and corresponding oils to concoct your perfect blend. You can pour one as a couple or double your fun by each making your own. Either way, you’ll go home with a wonderful souvenir of your date night.
A visit to the City Market on a sunny Saturday can be wonderfully romantic as you stroll around hand-in-hand taking in all the market has to offer. For over 160 years, this place has been a favorite stop for locals and visitors alike. You can find produce, flowers, local goods, spices, shops and restaurants. And it’s not uncommon to see musicians and other street performers sharing their talents. Must-stop places include City Market Coffee House for a shot of caffeine and a breakfast sandwich; Carollo’s for amazing Italian cookies; and Tikka House to stock up on your favorite spices or one of their special blends.
For one of the best romantic outings, spend an evening at the Country Club Plaza and take a stroll to see all the beautiful architecture, including the most famous fountain in Kansas City, Mill Creek Park Fountain. After that, walk over to Brush Creek for a gondola ride with Ambiance on the Water—they are generally open from Apr. 1–Oct. 31 and have a number of packages to choose from. To cap off your night, stop in at one of the Plaza’s many restaurants for a late dinner or a cocktail. I highly recommend Prime Social, a swanky 16th-floor rooftop cocktail lounge. They have half-price sushi on Tuesdays, and it’s amazing! The ginger chicken meatballs and 24 Carrot Cake Truffles (with edible gold!) are some of my other favorites. And the cocktails are first-rate. If you are at the Plaza around the holidays, be sure to take in the 15 blocks of beautiful lights. It’s a sight to behold!
