Three Worthwhile Happy Hours

Three Worthwhile Happy Hours

By Edward  J.  "Teddy" Stanton Jr.

If looking to save a buck in these impoverished times, economize by visiting one of these three happy hours:

The Fou Frog happy hour (Tues. - Fri., 4:30 - 6:30) features discounted mussels, a meat and cheese plate, oysters, and a goat-cheese salad, among other things.  The inviting atmosphere created by the proprietors  makes for idle conversation and pleasant unwinding.   (Apparently Fou Frog will now offer lunch on Thursdays as well.)

The recently reopened downtown Parkville Piropos Grille (Tue. - Fri., 5 - 7, and Thur. all night) features discounted drinks, cocktail shrimp and tamales.  Eat, drink and enjoy the view overlooking historic Parkville. 

Webster House (Wed. - Sat., 4:30 - 6) features  $3 items on its happy hour menu, such as olives and truffle french fries, and includes many $7 cocktails like a Kir Royale, Gimlet or Old Fashioned.  Webster House may well have the most beautiful decor of any KC restaurant, including stately furniture and an august ambiance.  If you've never been, use this happy hour as an excuse to visit. 

2010 Kansas City Restaurant Rankings

2010 Restaurant Rankings of Greater Kansas City Area

 By KC Food Critic

(5 stars - 1 star.  It is difficult to make star list, so even a 1-star ranking is prestigious.

Only 5-star and 4-star restaurants are updated annually, so other listings may not be up to date.

Based on criteria of Michelin Restaurant Guide ranking, Mobil Traveler's Guide,  Forbes and Zagat.  Includes Kansas City proper and surrounding areas (Overland Park, KS, etc.).

Greater Kansas City Area

5-Star Restaurants

(none)

4-Star Restaurants

American Restaurant

3-Star Restaurants

Aixois

Bluestem

Café Des Amis (Parkville)

Café Provence (Prairie Village)

Fou Frog

JJ's

Julian

Michael Smith’s

Plaza III Steakhouse

Starker's Reserve

Tatsu's (Prairie Village)

Webster House

2-Star Restaurants

Avenues Bistro

Benton’s Steakhouse
Bristol - Downtown

Cafe Trio

Capital Grille

Carmen’s

Classic Cup Cafe

EBT

Garozzo's Ristorante

Grand Street Café

Grunauer

Hotel Phillips’ 12 Baltimore

Hyatt-Regency’s Peppercorn Duck Club

Il Centro

Jasper's

Hereford House

InterContinental’s Oak Room

Lidia's Kansas City

Marina Grog & Galley (Lees Summit)

Morton’s Steakhouse

Pot Pie

Pierpont's

Piropos (Parkville)

Raphael Hotel’s Chaz on the Plaza

Room 39

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Savoy Grill

Skies

1-Star Restaurants

Andre’s Tearoom

Cafe at Briarcliff

Cafe Sebastienne
Cascone's Italian Restaurant

Cafe Cedar

Cupini’s

Extra Virgin

The Farmhouse

Figlio’s

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue

Golden Ox

Hardware Cafe (Liberty)

Hotel President’s Drum Room

J. Gilbert's Wood Fired Steaks (Overland Park)

Jardine’s
Jess & Jim's Steak House

Lill’s on 17th

McCormick & Schmick's

Mike & Charlie’s

O'Dowd's Little Dublin

Paulo & Bill Restaurant (Shawnee)

Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill

R Bar

Raoul's Velvet Room (Overland Park)

Rheinland (Independence)

Ricco’s (Overland Park)

Salvatore's (Independence)

Stephenson's Apple Farm [closed?]

Stroud’s

Tasso’s

V's Italiano (Independence)

Yia Yia's Eurobistro (Overland Park)

Surrounding Cities

Excelsior Springs

1-Star Restaurants

Elms

Ventana Gourmet Grill

Platte City

1-Star Restaurants

Shields Manor Bistro

St. Joseph

1-Star Restaurants

36th Street Food & Drink Company            [Closed?]

Smithville

3-Star Restaurants

Justus Drugstore

Weston

2-Star Restaurants

Avalon Cafe
Charlemagne's

Vineyards

1-Star Restaurants

America Bowman

KC Food Critic has a graduate degree from a top-tier university and has lived and worked in Europe numerous years.  Send comments and suggestions to: occfoodcritic[at]gmail.com