Garozzo's
Owned and operated by Michael Garozzo, the first Garozzo's location opened in the Columbus Park neighborhood in eastern Kansas City in 1989. Now it has four locations in the metropolitan area, including one in Lee's Summit that has become the local favorite. The restaurant's signature dish is the chicken Spiedini, though the restaurant also offers several traditional Italian dishes such as ravioli, lasagna and fried calamari. Garozzo's also markets its spicy Diablo marinara sauce, has its own private wine label, and offers catering for large parties.
Garozzo's is a popular location for both lunch and dinner. The lunch shift generally consists of local business employees on lunch breaks, though at dinner crowds can fill the restaurant quickly. Reservations for dinner parties are recommended. Garozzo's is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and for dinner on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Recommended attire is dressy casual. Garozzo's is just two miles from North Prairie Lee Park and Lake Jacomo's hiking trails and water recreation.
Garozzo's
1547 NE Rice Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64806
(816) 554-2800
garozzos.com
Ciao! Bella
Ciao! Bella is located in a small downtown Lee's Summit storefront just four miles from South Prairie Lee Park's camping, marina and water recreation area. The restaurant features a wine bar along with many imported, domestic and locally brewed beers. The menu at Ciao! Bella features bruschetta, chicken Parmesan sandwiches, wood-fired pizza and salads. The restaurant also offers a lunch menu with lighter fare as well as a children's menu with kid's favorites like macaroni and cheese and spaghetti and meatballs.
The small dining room at Ciao! Bella fills quickly during lunch and dinner hours, and while the restaurant does not accept reservations for small parties, the wait is typically no longer than 15 minutes. The recommended lunch attire is casual, while the dinner hour is slightly more upscale and dressy casuals are recommended.
Ciao! Bella
235 SE Main St.
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
(816) 554-2442
ciaobelladowntown.com
Minsky's Pizza
Minsky's pizza is just 3 1/2 miles from the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. Minsky's opened in the city in 1976 and, as of 2009, has grown to 12 locations in the metro area. Minsky's offers a full bar, including an extensive collection of beers, making it a popular location for happy hours and large parties. The menu at Minsky's offers signature gourmet pizzas like the Papa Minsky, a combination pizza with pepperoni, salami and peppers. Also on the menu at Minsky's are traditional pasta dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo and chicken parmesan. The restaurant also offers salads and hot sandwiches.
Minsky's is a family-friendly restaurant. The recommended attire is casual to business casual. Reservations are not required, though the dinner rush on weekend evenings can cause a bit of a wait for a table.
Minsky's Pizza
632 NE MO-291
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 524-3112
minskys.com
