The American Restaurant 200 East 25th Street (Hall's Crown Center), Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 426-1133
Lunch Hours: Monday thru Friday 11:30AM to 2:00PM, Dinner Hours: Monday thru Thursday 6:00PM to 9:30PM Friday and Saturday 6:00PM to 10:00PM Closed on Sunday
Cuisine: American
When romance is in order, only the best will do. Luckily, that is all that is served at The American Restaurant. Chef Celina Tio has earned an amazing reputation for innovation and daring when it comes to her cuisine. The American Restaurant is the only Mobile Four Star rated restaurant in Kansas City, and one look at the menu will tell you why. The fare changes daily based on what is fresh and seasonal and includes such delicacies as Astara Persicus Caviar, Kobe beef and Lobster “shepherds pie”. All of this culinary beauty is surrounded by windows overlooking the Kansas City skyline and the Crown Center Ice Terrace. The tuxedoed wait staff is attentive and creates an atmosphere not to be missed.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $40 - $50
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Vivace 529 Walnut St. Kansas City, MO 816-527-0999 5 to 10 p.m., Monday - Thursday 5 to 11 p.m., Friday – Saturday Late night tapas served until 12 pm on Fri & Sat Happy Hour 4-6 pm Mon-Fri Closed Sundays
Cuisine: Italian
Vivace means “lively” in Italian, and this tiny eatery in Kansas City’s River Market takes the definition to heart. Come for the “ice bar” a cool slab of ice, lit from underneath, but stay for the intimate atmosphere and fantastic nuovo Italian cuisine. Vivace has all the ingredients for a romantic evening, low lighting, live music, a great wine list, and a menu that is made for sharing with a loved one. This is not your typical Italian joint with Frank Sinatra and big meatballs. Daily specials could include skate wing with mushroom risotto and great selections of Italian cheeses. This is the place where memories are made.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $40-50
JJ'S ON THE PLAZA 910 West 48th Street (Country Club Plaza), Kansas City, MO 64112 (816) 561-7136 Hours: Lunch Monday-Friday from 11:00 am Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5pm-10 pm Friday and Saturday 5pm-11 pm
JJ’s on the Plaza has a claim to fame. It is one of less than 100 restaurants to receive Wine Spectator Magazines Grand Award. This may be a reason to rest on their laurels, but the wine list is just the tip of the iceberg for this quiet restaurant, two blocks away from the bustling Country Club Plaza. JJ’s prides itself on using local suppliers of produce, meat, and coffee and is part of Kansas City Originals, an independent restaurant association. The menu is diverse with plenty to please the palate, no matter what your tastes. Stop in for the wine and stay for everything else.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
The Classic Cup 301 W. 47th St. on the Country Club Plaza 816-753-1840 Weekday Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.Saturday Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.Sunday Brunch: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Lunch: 11 a.m. to 4p.m. Dinner: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (11 pm on Fri. and Sat.) Dessert: From Open till Close
Sometimes the most romantic meals are the ones enjoyed in the open air. The Classic Cup Café captures the feeling of dining al fresco in Europe. With a phenomenal wine list comprised of 800 selections, and a menu that’s very diverse, this is the perfect place to while away an evening with your new special someone. Be sure to check out the desert list, which features their famous bread pudding with hot caramel sauce and an ever-changing rotation of crème brulee flavors. The Classic Cup also features an outstanding Sunday Brunch, perfect for people watching on the Plaza.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
LE FOU FROG 400 East 5th Street (River Market), Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 474-6060 Hours Tues-Wed-Thurs Dinner 5:30-10:00 Friday-Saturday 5:00-11:00 Sunday 5:00-9:00
Cuisine: French
The French have trademarked romance, starting with the kiss. Le Fou Frog, in Kansas City’s River Market is certainly no exception. Romance is inevitable when you sit down to a languid meal attended by the gracious wait staff. The lighting is soft and paired with a glass of good burgundy, this is sure to be a meal to remember. Start off with the not to be missed Escargots Provencale, snails sautéed in herbed butter and proceed with enthusiasm. It only gets richer from here. Duck is prevalent on the menu and the specials range from pheasant to rabbit to kangaroo. This is the place for the adventurous diner. You surely won’t be disappointed.
When only excess will do, visit The Peppercorn Duck Club. The Peppercorn Duck Club has earned numerous awards including the AAA Four Diamond Award, and the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. These awards only validate what Kansas Citians have known for years, if you want to indulge, this is the place to do it. While duck is obviously a focus, there is something for everyone on the menu here. Between foie gras and rotisserie duck, or the filet au poivre, there is plenty to choose from for your appetizers and entrees, but be careful. Desert here is not an option. The Ultra Chocolatta Bar is a legend in Kansas City, as the pastry chefs lets his imagination roam, creating a variety of chocolate themed deserts. This is definitely one not to miss.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = -$30-40
The Melting Pot 450 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64112
There is something inherently romantic about cooking with your special someone. There’s something even more romantic about not having to clean up afterwards. At The Melting Pot, you are provided with all the accoutrements to prepare your own fondue, Swiss style. While to some this may just mean cheese and bread, here it means fresh seafood and steak with vegetables and decadent chocolate fondue to finish up. If it sounds like too much work, order from the prepared menu and sink back into one of the intimate booths and let the attentive wait staff do the work for you. Either way, fondue brings the two of you closer to complete relaxation and indulgence.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = -$30-40
Room 39 1719 W. 39th St. Kansas City, MO 64111 816-753-3939
Sometimes your local breakfast place can surprise you. When Room 39 opened in November of 2004, they were a hit for breakfast and fresh espresso. Now open for dinner, this intimate neighborhood restaurant is delighting diners with a menu full of locally grown produce. Dinner is definitely influenced by the north of Italy, featuring risotto with crimini and porcini mushrooms, beef carpaccio or chicken bocconcini among others. Finish the experience with a blood orange and cheese tart and a fresh espresso and you’ll feel like Italy came to the Kansas City. Room 39 also offers an extensive wine by the glass menu, so there is always something perfect to pair with your meal.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = -$30-40
Plaza III Steakhouse 4749 Pennsylvania Kansas City, MO 64112 816-753-0000
Kansas City is known as a cow town and that is never more complimentary than when you are dining at Plaza III Steakhouse. Regularly recognized as one of the top ten best steakhouses in the nation, this is the pinnacle of Kansas City steak. While steak may be the main course, the seafood selection is also impressive, with the appetizer list featuring seafood such as oysters on the half shell, crab cakes, and smoked Atlantic salmon. The steak soup is also world famous and not to be missed. There is a good reason why Plaza III is routinely on Ingram’s best restaurant list and recognized by Wine Spectator for its Award of Excellence. It’s the best Kansas City has to offer.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = -$40-50
Bluestem 900 Westport Road Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 561-1101 Dinner Monday-Saturday seating at 5:30 Sunday Brunch 10:30-2:30
Romance is often linked with intimacy and Bluestem is intimate with the idea of excellence. The menu reflects a daring only born of a deep and abiding love for gourmet food in all of its splendor. The cozy dining room will make you feel like you’re the only one in the world enjoying venison loin and braised oxtail. The world melts away with one bite of bittersweet chocolate tort. The service is attentive and the wine list extensive. From the moment you sit down, there is so much attention to detail that you only need to concentrate on each other. And isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN