The American Restaurant
With the distinction of being the city's only Mobil Four-Star Restaurant, The American Restaurant sits atop an impressive list of nationally recognized, award-winning restaurants that call Kansas City home. The restaurant's James Beard Award-winning chef, Debbie Gold, overseas a kitchen that has drawn a long list of famous and powerful people to its location above Halls Department Store at Crown Center. Specialties include pumpkin ricotta egg yolk ravioli, free-range pheasant and slow-roasted Berkshire pork. The restaurant's staff understands how to treat its guests and, with attention to the smallest details, ensures an elegant meal in a romantic atmosphere.
The American Restaurant
200 E. 25th St., Suite 400
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
(816) 545-8001
http://www.theamericankc.com
Bluestem Restaurant
When chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts opened Blue Stem in historic Westport in 2004, their progressive American cuisine quickly found fans among the city's foodies. In fact, both "Food and Wine" magazine and the James Beard Foundation have recognized Colby. Bluestem's cozy dining room conveys simple elegance in flickering candlelight. Its team of dedicated professionals would make owners of exclusive restaurants in big coastal cities envious. The seasonal menu offers items such as roasted butternut squash bacon soup, garlic crumb filet mignon and confit duck cassoulet.
Bluestem Restaurant
900 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 561-1101
Michael Smith's Restaurant
There's yet another James Beard Award-winning chef in town. Lovers who want to experience the creations of Michael Smith, a man who sharpened his cooking techniques at restaurants such as Le Presqu'ile and L'Albion in the South of France, should head to Kansas City's Crossroads Art District. The menu at Michael Smith's makes its own statement in a neighborhood known for art galleries and hip, eclectic residents. Smith's menu tantalizes guests with roasted veal sweetbreads, Broken Arrow Ranch venison and wild striped bass, just to name a few.
Michael Smith's Restaurant
1900 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-842-2202
http://www.michaelsmithkc.com
Plaza III Steakhouse
Many food writers consider Plaza III to be among the best steakhouses in America. It serves custom-selected USDA prime steaks, which are in the top two percent of all graded beef in the nation. The restaurant's wine list has received an Award of Excellence from "Wine Spectator" magazine. An evening at Plaza III presents classic choices like hand-chopped tenderloin tartare, double-cut lamb chops and, of course, steaks in a variety of cuts.
4749 Pennsylvania Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64112
816-753-0000
http://www.plazaiiisteakhouse.com
