Relocating to KC (Kansas City, Liberty, Overland: houses, high school, college)

[IamKateyKaboom]

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited that my fiance and I will be moving to the Kansas City area! I was born and raised in Lenexa, and lived in different parts of the KC metropolitan area for 18 years, then moved to Orlando, FL in 2004. Well, I met my fiance (who is originally from Brooklyn), and we've decided for many reasons to come to KC.

I am thrilled, and he is very excited because of all of the wonderful food in the area. I'm very familiar with the city, but of course since it's been so many years, a lot of things could be slipping my mind. We're coming to visit and scout out a place to live, probably in November, and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where I can take him to see some of the great things KC has to offer?

On past vacations, I've taken him to:

1) Arthur Bryant's on 18th & Brooklyn.
2) Westport (I wanted to go to Spivey's bookstore, but it was closed on whatever day we went).
3) Half Price Books, which we both ADORE.
4) The Plaza
5) Legends at Village West (we went to Saddle Ranch for an old friend's birthday and a comedy club there).
6) Nebraska Furniture Mart
7) Waldo Pizza - my FAVORITE pizza!

I really appreciate any suggestions you can lend us. I am a new poster, so please go easy on me!

[TabulaRasa]

Hah, Spivey's is closed more often than it's open. They open and close whenever they feel like it, and even when it's open, the door is usually locked, and you have to be let in. Then, you'll be browsing in it, and someone will come find you and tell you you have to leave, because they're closing, even though when you look at your watch, it's nowhere near the time they're supposed to close. It's crazy. I do like the store, and have gotten my SO many cool vintage photographic prints from around KC there, but that whole approach to running a store is bizarre.

[IamKateyKaboom]

Hehe, I'm relieved I'm not the only one! I love going into the basement at Spivey's and looking at all of the one-of-a-kind books. That's definitely an odd way to run a store. I'll have to check out those prints though - KC is such a photogenic city, then and now.

I cannot wait to go back to KC. No offense to Orlando or anyone who lives there, but KC is my home. Alex is very excited about the move, as he's lived in Brooklyn, NY and Orlando, FL, and he's never lived in the midwest. I've visited with him twice, though, and he's had a blast every time.

[TabulaRasa]

My SO also moved here from NY, with a stop in Texas in between the two. He says he intends never to leave the Midwest, it's his favorite place he's ever lived. Every time we go back to NY for holidays, he can't wait to get back home.

[famusdarlin]

You all should check out Power and Light, my favorite parts are the bowling alley and Peach Tree, but for a true Peach Tree flavor check out the buffet on Eastwood Tfwy.

Crown Center is always fun and depending on the weekend they might even have a festival going on.

The little shops and resturants on 39th by KU med have a unique offering.

Checking out the unique houses in Brookside and Wornall is always nice.

That's all I've got for now.

[IamKateyKaboom]

Awesome - when we visit in November I definitely want to check out Power & Light. I LOVE those houses off of Wornall, that is always a nice drive. Thanks so much for the suggestions, famusdarlin - I really appreciate it and I'm so excited for our next visit to scope out where we'll live/work!

Tabula Rasa, that's great that your SO enjoys living in the midwest so much! What part of NY is he from?

[TabulaRasa]

He was raised in Buffalo, so he's used to a feel that's more midwestern than east coast, anyway...Buffalo's kind of like Cleveland with a dollop of Canada. Much of his family's NYC, though. Very Italian.

[OPguy]

Restaurants I like:

Pine & Bamboo - A Chinese place, very nice, it has been around for more than 20 years and is very good. If you want to take a break from BBQ -- go here.
It is on Shawnee Mission Parkway near Nemian and SM Parkway.

Zarda's BBQ near 87th & Quivera

Not exactly a Restaurant but you can find really good stuff at McGonigles Meat Market over on Ward Parkway.

[OneKC]

Originally Posted by IamKateyKaboom

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited that my fiance and I will be moving to the Kansas City area! I was born and raised in Lenexa, and lived in different parts of the KC metropolitan area for 18 years, then moved to Orlando, FL in 2004. Well, I met my fiance (who is originally from Brooklyn), and we've decided for many reasons to come to KC.

I am thrilled, and he is very excited because of all of the wonderful food in the area. I'm very familiar with the city, but of course since it's been so many years, a lot of things could be slipping my mind. We're coming to visit and scout out a place to live, probably in November, and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where I can take him to see some of the great things KC has to offer?

On past vacations, I've taken him to:

1) Arthur Bryant's on 18th & Brooklyn.
2) Westport (I wanted to go to Spivey's bookstore, but it was closed on whatever day we went).
3) Half Price Books, which we both ADORE.
4) The Plaza
5) Legends at Village West (we went to Saddle Ranch for an old friend's birthday and a comedy club there).
6) Nebraska Furniture Mart
7) Waldo Pizza - my FAVORITE pizza!

I really appreciate any suggestions you can lend us. I am a new poster, so please go easy on me!

WWI Museum is a really tremendous museum located in Liberty Memorial. You can also go up in the observation deck and get the best view of downtown KC.

If you like a party scene, try the Power and Light District. Lots of great bars in a relaxed outdoor lounge atmosphere.

If you're a sports fan, check out the College Basketball Experience, right next to Sprint Center. Its the Hall of Fame for college hoops and has lots of neat interactive exhibits.

Check out the Farmer's Market Saturday morning at the River Market. Lots of great produce, local meats and cheeses, there is usually lots of entertainment and you can get a great breakfast at Cascone's or Succotash.

Some of my favorite restaurants:

Oklahoma Joe's (KCK, 47th and Mission I believe) - best BBQ in town IMO. The Z-Man is the best sandwich known to man and the Carolina is not far behind. Tremendous burnt ends too, although only available on Wednesdays. Named one of the best restaurants in the world by Anthony Bourdain.

Piropos (north KC) - their old location was better, but the new one in Briarcliff (just north of the river) is still an elegant location with excellent food and service

Potpie (Westport) - nice cozy bistro with, of course, tremendous potpies, but its their other dishes that are even better. Finish it off with a peach cobbler. Yum.

Bristol (Power and Light) - best seafood in town. Best service in town. Best Sunday brunch in town. This is my go to place for a nice dinner with the wife.

Room 39 (39th and State Line) - Its been awhile since I've been, but they have tremendous high quality meals. Its always hard to get a table because its so popular, so feel free to check out the other restaurants on 39th - Po's Dumplings, Blue Koi, Thomas

Lidia's (Freighthouse in the Crossroads) - great Italian by the nationally renowned Lidia (from PBS!). Check out the Italian sampler - awesome. The freighthouse is also a tremendous building with awesome decor.

Blanc Burgers and Bottles (Westport) - great addition to Westport (although they're moving to the Plaza ) Great gourmet burgers and the best selection of beers in town. A trendy burger joint.

McCoy's Pub House (Westport) - Much more casual, but good diner food and a great selection of beers including their own brews.

Welcome back to KC and I hope you enjoy your stay in November. Keep us posted on your trip!

[IamKateyKaboom]

Thanks, everyone - lots of GREAT suggestions! I'm still pretty new to the forum, but the KC posters really share a lot of information, and I'm hoping I can contribute a few tidbits myself. =)

I LOVE Zarda BBQ, and actually went to high school with the owner's son. We'll definitely have to check out Pine & Bamboo - never been, but it sounds awesome! Being a native NYer, my SO has a huge passion for Chinese food. He was pretty impressed with Bo Ling's and how they had a good selection of authentic dishes. He loves a good beef chow fun. We'll definitely go shopping at McGonigles - I've never been, but my SO used to be a butcher so it sounds like a good time to be had!

I definitely want to take him by the WWI museum. The first time we went to KC, we went to Crown Center and the Liberty Memorial, which was a pretty good time. OneKC, that is so awesome you mentioned Cascone's, as that happens to be my favorite restaurant in the world. I have so many memories of going to the one out north and the one in Overland Park with my parents.

My SO is definitely interested in Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, as it made Anthony Bourdain's list of places to eat before you die, so we'll be enjoying that in November when we visit. He freaked out when he heard about Lidia's and was like "why didn't you tell me about this place? She's a world-renowned chef", lol.

LOTS of great restaurants you suggested that I haven't gotten a chance to try, so I'll definitely be looking them up. I'm looking forward to coming back to KC more than I could possibly express through words, and I'll post from our November trip. Is there any way to post pictures on C-D? Forgive me, I'm still new.

Thanks once again, everyone - your recommendations are greatly appreciated!!!