Pine and Bamboo Dim Sum was great, I liked it. Lots of Chinese families.
For Bo Lings or Kin Lin (!, I know, I have lots of Chinese students who eat there, though!)
ask for the Chinese menu and get a different "flavor" of dishes.
Princess Garden on Wornall is a KC classic with a loyal following- I think they have Chinese menu, too. I like their salt and pepper tofu, Singapore noodles, and their soups are good.

just had dinner at Silver. Great service - lovely atmosphere and fab cocktails. Silver would be my choice

yes! Stil here for awhile, so I'm still looking for any great rec's.!

Bumping in hopes of answer - are any of the places at the St. Regis resort tasty? We're traveling soon .. Glad I checked here re: Bill White Group.

I would be interested in someone sharing tea blog lists! I get really into tea this time of year!

yes! I had to nibble on some cheese after watching them eat the Parmigiano with the Balsamic dots. holy holy! (someone correct me if I am wrong on that cheese type)...

Watched it TWICE. In love. I was not familiar with that area of Italy, and I learned soo much.
Duck press!!

I am an event planner and used to work in hotels, you should call the hotel/kitchen/venue and ask about the salad dressing! People call and ask about food stuff all the time.

Thanks! It's this thing - CREAMTOP BUTTERMILK BISCUIT ... 10 served with fried chicken. :) I think it was a boneless chicken though. .. hm.. anyway, enjoy.

Oh, the Savoy breaks my heart. The dining room is lovely, the bar is gorgeous, I adore the atmosphere. But, it needs Gordon Ramsay - badly. The food has slid to mediocre at best.
The service is "OK". Def go for an after work drink/appetizer. I want it to be sooo great and it's just.... old.

Ate at Gladys' this week. Conch fritters were OK- like a hush puppy. Conch chowder was OK. Nothing was great, but it was a cute place with great service. Cuzzins was recommended as local food but we didn't make it . Udderly Delight was soooo good and near Magen's Bay. Rum Raisen shake , with rum of course.

I adore Boston! But you'll like KC - the real estate prices, the parking.. :)
There are a few good Vietnamese cafes in the new Columbus Park neighborhood (not new, but used to be Italian, now Vietnamese) - it's quite tasty.
the KU Med area (39th) has a nice selection of restaurants (Blue Koi - noodles/dumpling, Indian, bars, shaved ice, vegan bakery, D'Bronx pizza, Jazz/Jimmy Jigger's Oyster bar (Oysters - read: not like New England, but it's kind of fun).
SW Trafficway has some great Mexican and Hispanic eats (casual mexican to La Bodega tapas.)
Plaza area has a few chains (Brio, PF Changs, Capital Grille) and a few local places (Blanc Burgers, Starkers, Cafe Trio)... Bar distrcict of Westport has good bar food (harrys, beer kitchen) plus Indian buffet, passable Thai food....
We FINALLY have two Trader Joe's (one in MO and in KS).
What is missing - to me - is seafood, really good Chinese, Eastern European/Russian.
Also- there are only a few Dunkin Donuts here - so brace yourself. Oh, and they really are crappy compared to New England DD. :)

I would LOVE to see a week's meal plan where you make this budget work. I need help - and most of the meal plan web sites are BORING. Post if you feel comfortable.!

It's hard to find good/creative catering for 10 people as many of those companies have a minimum order.. for delivery especially.. However, you could try Ingredient (downtown location)?

Awesome! We will try it out next time. Thanks!

Just got back from Branson. Ate at Farmhouse Diner/Cafe in old downtown Branson (not on the strip). Chicken fried steak and the like. Everyone enjoyed and 12 people ate for $200 with tip. Pretty darn good. You will find lots of $30 dinner "buffets" on the strip, but this place was more homemade and felt more "local."
We had brunch at Big Cedar Lodge which is in Ridgevale (about 10 mins from Branson). $33 champagne brunch - with everything you could imagine. Make reservations. Salmon, oysters, eggs, all the good stuff... and they do serve a nice looking dinner too. It's upscale dining for the area, so dress accordingly (prob. no shorts for dinner/but golf attire OK).
So many bad choices in Branson, but a few gems. :) The Indian place in town had great reviews , but Indian food in 104 heat on the strip did not sound good.
About 25 miles North is Lambert's Cafe (famous for throwed rolls). Get there at opening - it can be a long wait.

We just went to Genessee Royale on Saturday!! So cute and so tasty. We were there about 8:30 Am and it was pretty steady (older crowd + us!). Good stuff - can't wait to go back. We had chicken fried steak - yum yum! Perfect portion - not too big / too small.

Welcome to the midwest! :) I don't know of any farmstands, but I can help you with some regional chains feat. local foods to the Northwern midwest.

Whatever route you go, a pork tenderloin is a fav of mine (Iowa will probably have a good selection!) - I like mine with pickles and mustard. Hubby likes his with mayo.

Other northern midwestern treats include the loose meat sandwich (Maid-Rite is a regional chain).. again, with pickles and mustard !
We love Runza - they actually do make their own bread and it's a nice break from fast food. They're cheap enough to at least "try" one. The mushroom is my fav, hubby likes traditional.
Not sure if you will run into Sonic Drive -In that far north (mostly in MO, KS, OK, and TX), but if you do, stop and get a limeade and onion rings. Car Hops dont' do rollerskates anymore, but it's something fun for kids.
You'll probably see a few Steak and Shakes (not a fan myself, but they're kind of fun for families)
For Ohio , any Gold Star Chili or Skyline Chili will give you a taste of our favorite chili known as "Cincinnati Chili" - get it served over spaghetti with cheese and onions..and it's heaven!
Many locations....also, I think Ohio has Tim Hortons (owned by Wendys) - but they have adorable donut holes.
Machine Shed is a good one - can be VERY crowded. I loved their breakfast casserole if I remember correctly.
Happy travels and happy eating!

Thanks for the rec! I'll check out when in the area. Always looking for those "unseen" places. We enjoyed Brookville Hotel in Abilene, KS which won the 2007 James Beard American Classic Award.

Brookville Hotel Menu
Relishes
Sweet-Sour Cole-Slaw (Family Pennsylvania Recipe)
Cottage Cheese
One-half Skillet of Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes w/ Cream Gravy
Cream-Style Corn
Baking Powder Biscuits with creamy butter and preserves

-The amount of half and half I go through for my morning coffeeS is obscene.
-Long John Silvers 4EVER
-I started crying when Sonic discontinued their Jalapeno Poppers (but they're back!!!!!)
-I HATE fruit juice (ANY, but esp. cranberry!)

Quinoa and Couscous - can't do it.

Went to Almond (22nd and 5th Ave?) for Mothers Day Brunch and it was VERY good, they had lots of seating, and it wasn't crowded until after 1pm. I think they are on open table... ? Lovely little biscuits they bring you for your table with butter and jam. yummy

And I think Port Fonda is moving into Westport storefront - so no more truck.(well, maybe sometimes?)
I like the Snow Cone lady, Fresher Than Fresh.

Lots of fans of Eggcetera (South Main/Plaza KCMO). They open very early.
Classic Cookie on Gregory & Wornall in KCMO has good breakfast.....

Momma's just closed....
I like that little breakfast nook over in the Crossroads (Baltimore & 18th?).. TJs or JPs RJ's ...what is it called? Its very tasty and very quirky.....
There are legions of Succotash fans (Troost and.. 25th?) .. I am not one, but people love it.

Bluestem? Julian in Brookside?

I'm determined to try this. Also, microwaving the hamburgers!

I just bought some, too! I have the weird bumps on my arms (chicken skin- ick!), and its supposed to help! You put it on in the shower, I think? We'll see! :)

You should watch the old episodes of Frontier House from PBS. It was very.... pioneer. And interesting.

Glad you said this. I plan corporate & educational events for my job, and spouses are not invited to the receptions 90% of the time - receptions where WE are paying for the guests. Even if we open it up for one VIP (or a group of VIPs) it becomes a slippery slope that the sponsor can no loner afford. And many, many times, the event tone is "work" even if it's Not Work, and the sponsor /host wants to promote an atmosphere of business chatter, not idle chatter.....
If it's a ticketed reception where the guest pays, The more the merrier!