1.25.2010
12.23.2009
Pamela S. recommends...
Editor/Writer/Dating Adviser Extraordinaire
"I’m an editor at The Kansas City Star and a contributor to Ink magazine, a sister publication for people in their 20s and 30s. I’ve been through the dating ups and downs of Kansas City and like to tell my stories in columns and blogs in Ink. I also like to hear stories from other people, singled and coupled alike, so if anyone has stories or questions for me, please email me! I’m at inkkcdating@gmail.com.
I’m also a homeowner in the Brookside area of Kansas City, but I’m originally from Flint, Michigan. I’m pushing 30 — and proud. Sort of."
Favorite store/shop/boutique
"Great for fun and cheap earrings, scarves and sunglasses."
Jubilee 4126 Pennsylvania Ave, Westport;
Call 816.931.0400 for Store Hours
Favorite coffee shop/ café
"I like the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble. It has a lot of young people and it’s great for people watching. You can see people sizing each other up and flirting there, too. In this economy though, I make coffee at home."
Starbucks (Barnes & Noble Branch)420 W 47th, Plaza;
Open 7 Days a Week 9am-11pm
Favorite Restaurant
31 E 14th, Downtown;
Call 816.886.9800
Favorite Bakery/Sweets Shop
Baby Cakes 108 E. Missouri Ave, River Market;
Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm
Favorite First Date Destination
"Carmen’s Café in Brookside. It’s very romantic with good, soft lighting."
Carmen's Cafe 6307 Brookside Plz, Brookside; Open Sun 12-9pm, Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 4-11pm
Favorite Local Event
"Any free local festival. Pride, Italian Fest and the Liberty festival are among my three favorites of 2009. I liked SpiritFest at Liberty Memorial before they stopped having it awhile back. I also liked Rhythm and Ribs at 18th and Vine, but that was canceled in 2009. But basically anywhere I can get a funnel cake or grilled hot dog, I’m there. I had a fried Twinkie at the Liberty festival and I am ashamed to admit it, but it was really good!"
Favorite Media Outlet
"Of course."
11.16.2009
Arsen K. recommends...
Architect / Independent Film Producer
"I was born in the Soviet Union; a country that no longer exists. In 1991 my family moved to the United States and by default I was transplanted with them. My life didn't change too much with the move; a kid's priorities are pretty much the same no matter where they live. The assimilation process was seamless, except for learning English, that took a couple of years. Now, people mistake me for a bona fide Midwesterner without second guessing themselves. I do believe this country has afforded me opportunities which would otherwise be nonexistent. Or even worse, I would have been helplessly cognizant of the Soviet deficit, with the only therapeutic relief being an expression of angst uttered to my countrymen following a shot of vodka." "One of the opportunities I gained with the move is my education. I attended the University of Kansas and received degrees in Architecture and Engineering. The reasons are still a bit muddy to this day, because anyone who knows me, knows I wanted to go to film school. However, everything worked out for the best. Or at least, that is the belief my mind has synthesized in order to be happy. The first thing I did after graduation was fall deeply into debt making a feature film. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot. Mostly, what not to do when making a film. I have since then been working for a local architecture firm, and in my off time I work on various film projects. Recently, I have purchased a dilapidated house and have been splitting my time in order to whip it into shape."
Favorite store/shop/boutique
"Why would anyone shop any where else? I can buy most products by buying directly from China and skip middle men that most people have deal with. I don't have to leave my chair."
The Internet, Everywhere; Open 24/7Favorite coffee shop/ café
"I don't drink coffee, but I love watching other people drink it. It's a great place to meet people as everybody who's anybody knows where it is. The great thing is, it went head to head with a Starbucks next door and won."
Broadway Café & Roastery 4106 Broadway, Westport; Open 7am-9pm Seven days a weekFavorite Restaurant
"I'm a fan of food, so it's difficult to narrow it down to only one place, but if I had to choose, it would be Korma Sutra in Westport. Arguably the best Indian food in town, a great buffet, and a great location."
Korma Sutra 4113 Pennsylvania, Westport; Open 11am-2:30pm for Lunch Buffet & 5-9pm for Dinner, Closed MondaysFavorite Bakery/Sweets Shop
"I wouldn't continue living if pastries ceased to exist. Having said that I'll also say that I don't frequent pastry shops because I have access to the greatest pastry chef in the city limits; my mom. You people don't know what you are missing, and you'll never know, because they are all mine!"
Favorite View
"My favorite view is of the Missouri River from the pier next to the City Market. It's a great place to sit and relax while watching the water. Every once in a while Hannibal bridge spins to open allowing a dredger to pass. That's something not a lot of Kansas Citians have witnessed."
The Town of Kansas Pedestrian Bridge Main St, RivermarketFavorite Bar
"Buzzard Beach. Can't beat the location, outdoor seating, and the 75 cent draws."
Buzzard Beach 4110 Pennsylvania, Westport; Open Mon-Thurs 3pm-3am, Fri & Sat 2pm-3am, Sun 8pm-3amFavorite Building
"An original building for it's time, as it is one of the first curtain wall buildings in the world. It mixes neo-classical ideals and post-industrial era innovation. The innovation, proportions, and elegant facade features make it a perfect addition to the national landmark registry."
Boley Clothing Company Building 1124-1130 Walnut, Downtown10.13.2009
Sarah T. recommends...
Freelance Photographer / Midwest Blogger / Jack - of - all - Trades
Sarah and her husband live in downtown Kansas City between the Power and Light District and the Rivermarket with their two dogs that keep them busy, "[The dogs] seem to take up more time than having actual children would." Outside of her home life, Sarah remains a Renaissance woman who's early interest in photography has been the catalyst into something more: "I share my thoughts, creations and design styles while writing for Apartment Therapy Media. Specifically I represent the Midwest as a blogger for Apartment Therapy Chicago, Unplggd, Ohdeedoh and The Kitchn. I consider myself a jack of all trades and fearless when it comes to trying something new. [I] have lived all over, from Alaska to Milwaukee. The adventures never end as long as you're willing to grow where you're planted."Favorite store/shop/boutique
"Hands down my favorite place to shop in KC. The Midwest has great prices on all sorts of vintage and re-purposed finds and the ladies at Good JuJu really know how to take something ho-hum and turn it into something fabulous for your home that also happens to be affordable. Sadly, they're only open one weekend a month!
Good JuJu 1412 W. 12th, West Bottoms; Times/Days of Operation vary - refer to websiteFavorite coffee shop/ café
"I'm one of those snobs who cold brews her own coffee at home in the name of saving a few pennies. My life at the moment is too busy to take a few seconds and chill at a cafe enjoying the world around me."
Favorite restaurant
"I have a total weakness for wood fired pizza, fabulous customer service and endless beverage refills. I'm quite simple really, but their flavor profiles are exactly what I want to eat each time I'm there."
Spin! Neapolitan Pizza 4950 Main, South of Plaza; Open Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm Favorite bakery/sweet shop
"It's a tie really."
Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates 1819 McGee, Crossroads; Open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm&
Donut King 3913 N Chouteau Trfy, North KC; Open Sun-Sat 5am-9pmFavorite book shop
"It's the only store I can spend hours in and still not have had a chance to look at everything I need to!"
Half Price Books 1002 Westport Rd, Westport; Open Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-10pm & Sun 10am-8pmFavorite cinema/movie theater/drive-in
"Since moving downtown we've been enjoying it's perfectly clear digital screens, rumble seats and oh so comfy chairs. Did I mention you can add chocolate to the sodas (that's our real selling point). Seriously, suck on that QT!"
Photo By Eric Bowers of MadnessMatrix.com
Main St. AMC 1400 Main; Downtown; Operation hours varyFavorite salon/barber/hair stylist
"I cut my own hair. I always have. I have a girly mohawk that everyone who's tried to touch it has screwed up. So every month or so I stand ridiculously posed in the bathroom with a small makeup mirror trying to trim things up. I have a hard time paying $50+ for a haircut on short hair..."
9.07.2009
Eric B. recommends...
It's a Beautiful Day 3918 Broadway, Westport; 
Tea Drops 4111 Pennsylvania, Westport; Open Sun-Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-10pm 
Taj Mahal 7521 Wornall, Waldo; Open for lunch Wed-Mon 11am-2:30pm, for dinner Wed-Sat 5-10pm & Sun-Mon 5-9pm
Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard 6235 Brookside Plza, Brookside; Open Sun&Mon 1-10pm, Tues-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri&Sat 11:30am-11pm"I love world music and I love foreign food - there is plenty of both. Kansas City is lucky to have this event every year with so many different cultures participating."
Uptown Theater 3700 Broadway, Uptown; Hours Vary"There is a wide variety of locally-produced music and talk shows during the week. It's easy to get involved."
8.06.2009
Charlotte M. recommends...
"If you’re feeling adventurous the Blue Nile Café in the River Market offers unique Ethiopian fare…no silverware required (or even offered for that matter!)."
"If you enjoy cupcakes (and who doesn’t, really) the offerings at Baby Cakes in the River Market are delicious and cute!"
"The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the jewel of Kansas City. The contemporary collection in the new Bloch Building is great, but most people don’t realize what an amazing Asian Collection we hold here. The Nelson is world renowned for the quality of this type of art on display. I could spend the day away in this building. Plus, the lawn is the perfect place for a picnic, and I adore the shuttlecocks."
"Loose Park! At any time of day you can find people hanging out in the gardens, relaxing in the vast green space or exercising their way around the mile long loop. It’s padded to save your knees!"
"Westport is Kansas City’s answer to the bar scene—keeping that in mind, McCoy’s is a favorite standby for really good beer and a variety of food."
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