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New AmericanLongfellow
The Antler Room in Kansas City's Longfellow is Nick and Leslie Goellner's husband-and-wife room. Kitchen leans new american. At 2506 Holmes St.
OrderWhatever pasta is on, plus a glass from Leslie's growers-only list.
TipChef Nick Goellner has been a James Beard Best Chef Midwest semifinalist three times. Reservations open online and fill weeks out.
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FrenchRiver Market
Le Fou Frog in Kansas City's River Market is Mano and Barbara Rafael's French bistro on the corner of 5th and Oak, with Provencal classics since 1996.
OrderSteak au poivre with frites and a Pinot Noir from the list.
TipOpen Tue to Sun for dinner; reservations recommended. Bring cash for the tip cup. Mano makes the rounds nightly.
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New AmericanCrossroads
Novel in Kansas City's East Crossroads is Ryan Brazeal and Jessica Armstrong's tasting-menu room, opened on the Westside in 2013 and relocated to McGee.
OrderThe chef's tasting menu, with the wine pairing built around small-importer bottles.
TipReservations via Tock open 30 days out; the bar serves a shorter menu without booking. Pastry is Jessica's domain.
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ItalianCrossroads
Lidia Bastianich's Kansas City room sits in a former railroad house just north of Union Station, opened in 1998 with the famous pasta trio service.
OrderThe pasta tasting trio, three handmade pastas served family-style with unlimited refills.
TipReservations on OpenTable open weeks out. Sunday Suppers and a holiday menu calendar are the moves.
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AmericanPlaza
Colby and Megan Garrelts opened Rye Plaza in 2017 as the Country Club Plaza outpost of their Midwestern cooking; fried chicken and biscuits headline.
OrderFried chicken plate with mashed potatoes and biscuits; finish with the butterscotch pie.
TipThe Plaza room takes Tock reservations and runs a busy weekend brunch. Sister room in Leawood is the original.
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MediterraneanCrossroads
James Beard winner Michael Smith's Extra Virgin in the Crossroads opened in 2007 as Kansas City's Mediterranean tapas room, with a wood grill and a deep wine.
OrderA spread of small plates, the wood-grilled meats and a bottle of natural red from the European list.
TipBig Night Italian Thursdays run family-style. Mon to Thu until 22:00, Fri until 23:00, Sat 17:00-23:00.