ndm1984 is seriously mistaken. Biemer's BBQ is amazing, i dream about it. Planning a trip to Lawrence just to visit my favorite restaurants, and Biemers is included in that list.
Just made it out to Murray's last week... the food was really good and our waitress was really nice. The menu has changed since this was written, but for the better it seems. The sliders were amazing, and he knows what he's doing with bbq. The sirloin tip slider i got was a little on the small side... with one tiny piece of steak flattened out papper thin and the bread far outweighing the main attraction. Our credit card was also charged twice, and we ended up having to call the bank to set it straight. Other than that, this place was great and we will be going back
who are the assholes giving every comment that reccomends this place a thumbs-down? Probably the jealous owners, servers, and bartenders from next door and around the corner. This place was great, and the service and staff were all very nice. Met the owner, and enjoyed the conversation. I was here for lunch, and although lunch is never the bast time to try any new place (dinner is where it's at) our food was really good. i will definitely be going back
Um, yes. The wines are all bottled in Illinois, by the way. The grapes come from the West Coast.
This place is awesome! The staff in the tasting are very knowledgeable and friendly. The wines are very good (not from Illinois by the way) and the food was even better. Our server, Alex was great. This restaurant will do well here. I can't wait to go back!
Cooper's Hawk is an amazing restaurant. My fiance and I went there this week to celebrate our one year anniversary and we loved it! She had the Red Wine and Mustard Short Ribs and they were to die for. I gave the Soy Ginger Salmon a try and it was by far the best Salmon dish I've ever experienced in Kansas City. The staff there were extremely friendly and informative, much more so than what I've ever experiences from a restaurant on the plaza. Now about all this comparison to Cheesecake Factory, just because they're both corporate doesn't make them the same thing with a different logo. Unlike Cheesecake, Cooper's Hawk cooks their food from scratch. That places it far above the corporate standard in my opinion. Also, they crush their wines in Illinois but their grapes are imported from California. I found out that their wines were used at the president's inauguration, if it's high class enough to be used by the president I'm sure that it's plenty good enough for everyone else.
I've been to the one in Wisconsin and the new one in KC, and have loved pretty much every bite of food I've had (get the southwestern egg rolls, the scallops, and the banoffee pie), the ambience is great, and the wine is tasty and decently priced. I like the fact that they only serve their own wine, and their monthly tastings are great, especially at only $7. Sure there might be better, local places in KC to get wine, but there always will be no matter where you go. I think the Plaza is a perfect location for them, and I encourage you to go try it before you knock it.
It's a chain and the corporate staff is from Cheesecake Factory, hence the Cheesecake like menu. This is their 11th restaurant in seven years and definitely the most corporately run restaurant I've ever worked in. Managers are very strict about appearance, shaving daily, starch and creases, etc. Miserable place to work, but very cool layout. Food is average and wine is far below average. For over 40 varietals only 3 or 4 are decent.
I'm sure the folks at the Classic Cup, Plaza III and JJ's are shaking in their boots over the competition and their extensive Illinois wine list.....hiccup...!
I went here a week after it opened... we just stumbled upon it. I was really impressed to be honest. The environment was nice, not over crowded (and this was during the holidays), service was friendly and attentive. The food was EXCELLENT - very flavorful! The menu had you're traditional burgers and sandwiches, but with a creative twist. I had a smoked turkey sandwich with brie, walnuts and an apple slice... I was craving for another one a week later. I felt the prices were very reasonable. We had a glass of wine, prices were about the same as any other restaurant (inflated - but if you wanted to get it cheap just stay home). I'll definitely be going there again. :)
@Blob Parker Dude get over yourself. Such an ugly attitude.
what a joke. this place makes "white zinfandel" - and charges $13 a bottle for it. that's all you need to know.
Sounds like this place should have been located in the P&L, lots of hype and drama.....for wines bottled in Illinois. Good luck, nothing else that's been in this location has succeeded, I'm sure they'll keep that record in tact. I'd name 10 better places to have wine in KC, but then some of you morons on here impressed by the theatrics might show up and get my table.
After many years in New Orleans, which has both a highly acclaimed restaurant industry and a large Vietnamese community, I became addicted to Vietnamese Pho, eating it weekly. Very quickly after moving to Kansas City I began my search for this delicious soup. After many disappointing experiences at several other local Vietnamese restaurants, I finally found Pho Hoa KC. As soon as the first spoonful of broth hit my tastebuds, I knew that I had found the best Pho in Kansas City. I starting going weekly and have tried most of the menu items. The appetizers, vermicelli bowls and rice plates are all quite excellent. The bành mí sandwiches are some of the best I have ever had anywhere and of course the signature item, the special Pho, would rival any in New Orleans, Dallas, Houston or Los Angeles. The owner is also a talented chef who is willing and able to make off-menu items, vegetarian and vegan items, and special requests. The eating area is spacious and clean. The atmosphere and decor are authentic and pleasant. The service is very good even when they are busy. Other than the Venetian Creme ice coffee from Kaldi's Coffee Museum in the French Quarter of New Orleans (which is now closed), the Pho Hoa KC Cà Phê Sữa Đá (House Special Iced Milk Coffee) is the best iced coffee I have ever had and a delicious way to end a meal. I give my highest recommendation to this restaurant. If you are anywhere near Kansas City, it is well worth the trip.
I've been to the Rusty Horse Tavern just a handful of times, but each experience is better than the last. I sat at the bar on Thursday night, and the place was at about 1/2 capacity. It wasn't crowded, but it wasn't dead, by any stretch of the imagination--a perfect atmosphere for sharing a few drinks with friends.
I arrived at the ass-end of happy hour, so I was still able to get the Chef's Special: Swordfish Tacos. They were fantastic, although they were ever-so-slightly topped by the beer selection.
How do you choose between Boulevard's Rye on Rye, and Harvest Dance Wheat Wine, especially when both are on tap, right in front of you? Well, my friends. You don't. You have a little of column A, and a little of column B. Absolutely delicious, and certainly less expensive than pours at other establishments carrying craft beer.
The bartender, Chris, was a class act, and ensured my night was as enjoyable as possible. Great music, great food, great beer, and great conversation on top of it.
After quite a few rounds of craft beer, I ended up ordering the Bleu Burger, which has quickly become my favorite "fancy" burger in KC. (It's hard to beat a Hayes burger, but to paraphrase Jules, it ain't the same ballpark.) Served on a Farm to Market pretzel bun, it's absolutely delicious, down to the last juicy bite.
Prior to Thursday's visit, I was pretty much in agreement with the review from the Pitch, but then again, I'd never sat at the bar. It changed the entire dynamic, and really made me appreciate what the Rusty Horse offers: A great atmosphere close to my house where I can wash down a tasty locally-sourced burger with tasty, local, seasonal craft beers, or cleverly-crafted cocktails. (I overheard that one of their bartenders came from Manifesto.) I hope it continues to be a success, because it fits the bill for what I want in that kind of establishment, and I'm selfish like that.
Thoroughly enjoyed our lunch experience on the patio this fall. Crispy, handmade cracker bread, tables spaced so you feel pleasantly private, cheerful waitstaff who pays just enough attention (read doesn't repeatedly hit your table with "everything tastin' great!?"), excellent spreads and sauces ... we're glad to add you to our "Friday lunch list" in the Crossroads!
Sorry, didn't have the same experience. Appears either they don't want to use the furnace or it was broken. The food as okay but it doesn't beat Swagat. Do they even serve beverages other than water? None was offered, nor did it appear that they had a basic fountain. Will try again when the weather warms up.
Not to debate, but I go in there about every 3 weeks. It's never been a 'ghost town.' I guess it depends when one goes. And...incidently, I tend to go mid-week to avoid Fri/Sat crowds. Just sayin.
My comment wasn't meant as a slam on Rusty Horse as much as an inquiry into the Pitch's odd selection of who they praise and who they blast. I don't care how many places copy Blanc. I think that Blanc is a great place and RH isn't stepping on their toes because they are far enough apart that they aren't competing with one another. I just find it odd that the Pitch decided to blast Blanc for trying to expand the same concept into different markets, but think it's perfectly normal for a Pizza restaurant owner to venture into a totally different restaurant concept. Also, I wasn't saying using a beer menu or chalk board was a problem, I was just stating how similar RH's concept is to Blanc. You need to re-read my post. Slowly. So you can understand it. If you think the Pitch doesn't give totally biased articles on their advertisers then you are nuts. Go look at the Best of Kansas City article. Is it just one heck of a coincidence that their advertisers win all the awards? You might reply saying this is just good business on the Pitch's part. I would agree, but I would also state that their journalistic integrity goes down the toilet with it. As far as my point about their location goes --- My issue with RH's location isn't to say that Parkville isn't a good place. I was meaning the actual location they are in. You wouldn't even know they were there if you were driving by. There is a sign that hangs up high, but you would really have to be looking for it to see it. I have been to RH several times. It's a ghost-town in there. The owner has done a fantastic job with his pizza places. I think this one is a swing and miss.
Re: “Cooper's Hawk swoops onto the Plaza”
Cooper's Hawk does not make everything from scratch, I work there and I know this for a fact. Sure, several dishes are made from scratch but most of it comes from Sysco. The grapes come from California, Oregon and Washington and are bottled in Illinois. This place is very corporate though. I've worked at lots of different restaurants and this is the most strict and corporate place I've been. I've tried all their wines and I love wine, I only liked three that are made by Cooper's Hawk. Most of their wine is average to below average. The President used their wine at his first inauguration and only because they are made in Illinois, where he's from.
Very cool layout, but the food and wine are below average.