In Kansas City it's expected that the weather will jump from snowy, to balmy, to sultry in a matter of weeks.
But now that we're firmly into spring, and summer is just around the corner, restaurants are opening their outdoor patios, decks, balconies, rooftops and sidewalk seating.
Many diners love the opportunity to dine al fresco, surrounded by the beauty of nature – or asphalt parking lots. Other Kansas City diners see outdoor dining as a nightmare of bugs, noise, cigarette smoke and gawking strangers.
Our food critics, Charles Ferruzza, Emily Farris, Chris Becicka and Lou Jane Temple take us dining in the great outdoors… with napkins to uncover some of the best places to eat outside around Kansas City.
Here is a list of places mentioned during the show:
- Rye - 10551 Mission Road, Leawood, Kan.
- Tasso's Greek Restaurant - 8411 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO
- Grand Street Cafe - 4740 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, MO
- Seva Indian Cuisine - 8674 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO
- Mestizo - 5270 W 116th Place, Leawood, Kan.
- Harry's Country Club - 112 Missouri Avenue, Kansas City, MO
- Harry's Bar and Tables - 501 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO
- Gram and Dun - 600 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
- Urban Table - 8232 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan.
- Jack Stack BBQ (Frieght House and Plaza)
- Lidia's Italy - 101 W 22nd Street, Kansas City, MO
- Grunaeur - 101 W 22nd Street, Kansas City, MO
- The Classic Cup - 301 W 47th Street, Kansas City, MO
- Hamburger Mary's - 101 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
- Axois Bistro - 251 E 55th Street, Kansas City, MO
- Cupini's Italian - 1809 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO
- Julian - 6227 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO
- YaYa's Euro Bistro - 4701 W 119th Street, Overland Park, Kan.
- Cafe Des Amis - 112 1/2 Main Street, Parkville, MO
- Cafe Trio - 4558 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
- Anton's - 610 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
- Piropo's - 1 W 1st Street, Parkville, MO
- Vivilore - 10815 E Winner Road, Independence, MO
- Californo's - 4125 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO
- Marina Grog and Galley - Lake Lotawana, MO
- Jasper's - 1201 W 103rd Street, Kansas City, MO
- Renee Kelly's Harvest - 12401 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kan.
- Chez Elle - 1713 Summit Street, Kansas City, MO
Here are the new and notable restaurants talked about at the beginning of the show:
- Hi-Dive Lounge - 1411 W 39th Street, Kansas City, MO
- Providence New American Kitchen - 1329 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO (Has a new lunch special.)
- The Pacific Buffet - 8725 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kan. (Ice cream you can scoop yourself.)
- Cafe Gratitude - 333 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
- Lidia’s - 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO (Fried mozz sandwich)