Curley's Profile
Last minute visit to KC from NYC
Skip La Bodega and try Lidia's. Great food and even better ambiance. You should recognize the cuisine; owned by Lidia Bastianich.
Stroud's South Open, Fairway, KS
Simple solution...drive to the Oak Ridge Manor venue. Seems like a 20 minute drive would beat a 3 hour wait any time!
Oklahoma Joe's Pulled Pork - KC
Fortunately, I bought Jeff Stehney's BBQ video and we now make it just as good ourselves! In fact, we just smoked an eleven pounder Sunday. Our neighbor's (Canadians) thought it was to die for. Three cheers for OJ's!
One dinner in Kansas City?
Looking for regional flavor? Nix the white table cloth venues and go gorge at Stroud's! Down home cooking that is still my favorite, must-visit place when I get back to my home town. Fun, rustic, historic plantation house setting too. Yes, I'll also enjoy the high end places when I visit but first I have to get Stroud's, Margarita's and several BBQ joints through my fork before I hit the Michael Smith's, etc.
And check Lidia's while you are at it. Agree that Joe D's is an ambiance-laden favorite.
Sorry to respectfully disagree about La Bodega but can't rank them very high after eating for a few years at Emilio's in Chicago...no comparison. Also need to borrow your grandpa's hearing aids if you actually expect to hold a conversation. Don't forget a gas mask too to handle the smoke but I understand that will be going away soon due to new law.
French Laundry in Smithville, MO?!?!?
Glad to hear all the excellent feedback and the reports of strong patronage so far. Former Clay Countian who will give it a try when we come home for Christmas (my sister lives next to the lake). Having said that, I suggest everyone experience and enjoy this gem while they can. It is awfully hard to believe a fine dining establishment can last long in downtown Smithville although it is refreshing to find one in a rural setting. Good luck to the founders! Hope it is a long-lived success.
