Best Of Kansas City 2012

It is time for my annual list of Kansas City’s best restaurants, services, notables, and attractions. Whether you are looking for things to do in Kansas City or just the best restaurants in Kansas City, I believe this is the best list I can put together. It of course corresponds with voting for The Pitch’s best of Kansas City awards. This year The Pitch is requiring that you vote in 20 categories to cast a ballot. For those of you who have a hard time coming up with 20, I am including some of my very favorites in bold.

Without further fanfare, here are my pics for the Best of Kansas City 2012.

Food & Drink

Best Bakery- Bloom Bakery

Best Bar Food- 54^th Street Grill and Bar

Best Bar For People Watching- Window tables at Harrys

Best Bar To Meet People- Buzzard Beach

Best Barbecue- Oklahoma Joes

Best Bartender- Penny Shultz 54^thStreet Grill and Bar (Gladstone)

Penny Shultz 54th Street

Best Burger- Blanc Burgers and Bottles

Best Caterer- Lon Lane’s Inspired Creations

Best Cheap Eats- Green Room Burgers

Best Chef- Jasper Mirabile

Chef Jasper Making Tableside Mozzarella

Best Delicatessen- Marco Polo’s

Best Dessert- Cowtown Cheesecake

Best Dive Bar- Helen’s JAD

Best Farm To Table Restaurant- Justus Drugstore

Best Food Truck- Westport Street Fare

Westport Street Fare

Best French Fries- Oklahoma Joes

Best Happy Hour- Pierponts

Best Hot Dog/Bratwurst- New York Dog Pound

Best Indian Restaurant- Swagat

Best Italian Restaurant- Jaspers

Jasper’s

Best Late Night Eats- Thomas

Best Martini- The Majestic (Tom Kramer in the Jazz Club)

Best Mediterranean Restaurant- Jerusalem Cafe

Best Mexican Restaurant- Fridas

Best Mixologist- Shawn Moriarty at The Majestic

Best Neighborhood Bar- Murrays

Best New Restaurant- The Boot

The Boot

Best Outdoor Dining- Classic Cup

Best Patio- Murray’s

Best Pizza- Johnny Jo’s

Best Place For A Business Lunch- The Majestic

Best Place For A First Date- The Drop

Best Place For A Romantic Dinner- Jasper’s

Best Place For A Craft Cocktail- The Majestic

Best Place For A Glass of Wine- Coal Vines

Best Restaurant- Justus Drugstore

Justus Drugstore

Best Restaurant Ambiance- Thomas

Best Restaurant with a View- Starkers

Best Sandwich- Spicy Pork Torta at Westport Street Fare

Best Server– Anthony Valdivia at Jasper’s (although you could still vote for David Hayden at The Majestic)

David Hayden

Best Service- The Majestic

Best Service Industry Hangout- Fred P Otts

Best Sports Bar- 54^th Street Grill and Bar

Best Steakhouse- The Majestic

The Majestic

Best Sunday Brunch- The Majestic

Best Sushi- Nara

Best Taco- Westport Street Fare

Best Takeout- Westport Street Fare

Best Vegetarian Menu- Café Gratitude

Best Wedding Cake- Sweet Things By Shelley

Sweet Things By Shelley

Best Wine Bar- Coal Vines

Best Wine List in Restaurant- Jasper’s

Arts & Entertainment

Best Author Event/Writing Event- I’ll Be Your Server Tonight at The Writer’s Place

I’ll Be Your Server Tonight

Best Bowling Alley- NKC Pro Bowl

Best Charity Event- Ugly Sweater Party

Best Country Music Artist- Crybaby Ranch

Best Free Fun- Town of Kansas Bridge

Town of Kansas Bridge

Best Jukebox- The Drop

Best Local Actor- John Resenhouse

Best Local Actress- Colleen Grate

Best Local Album- Irish Lullabye- Mac Lethal

Best Local Band- Crybaby Ranch

Best Local Song- Royals Cap- Mac Lethal 

Best Local Theater Performer- Colleen Grate

Best Place for a Cheap Date- Town of Kansas Bridge

Best Place to hear Live Music- Coda

Best Rapper/Hip Hop Artist- Mac Lethal

Best Trivia Night- Thurdays at Record Bar with Forrester Micheals

Goods & Services

Best Attorney- Steve Fuller

Best Dentist- Mark King

Best Florist- Eclectic Stem

Best Hair Salon- Chop Tops

Best Hairstylist- Jessica B – Chop Tops

Best Local Bookstore- Mystic Treasures

Mystic Treasures

Best Local Printing Company- KC Book Manufacturing

Best Massage- Gwenn Ambol

Best Place You Wish Were Still In Business- El Rancho

Best PR Firm- VML

Best Real Estate Agent- Adam Wolcott

Best Social Media Firm- Hospitality Formula Consulting 

Hospitality Formula Consulting

Best Western Wear- Nigro’s on Merriam Lane

People & Places

Best Affordable Neighborhood- West Plaza

Best Architectural Structure- Town of Kansas Bridge

Best Area Attraction- Worlds of Fun 

Worlds Of Fun

Best Day Trip- Glore Psychiatric Museum in St Joseph

Best Facebook Page- Tony’s Kansas City

Best Food Blog- KC Lunch Spots

Best High School- North Kansas City 

NKCHS

Best Local Activist- Winifred Wright

Best Local Blog- Tony’s Kansas City

Best Local Columnist- Charles Ferruzza

Best Local Hero- Walt Bodine

Best Local Publication- Concrete City 

Concrete City

Best Local TV News Personality- Curtis Jay

Best Local TV News Station- NBC Action News

Best Missouri Politician- Jay Nixon

Best Music Blog- The Mailbox

Best Place for a Wedding Reception- NKC Pro Bowl (help me out here)

Best Place to Take Out-Of-Towners- The Majestic

Best Political Blog- Tony’s Kansas City

Best Radio Personality- Charles Feruzza

Best Sexy Musician- Kandi Kos of Crybaby Ranch

Kandi Kos

Best Smokin’ Hot Kansas Citian- Ali Hoskins

Best Thing That’s Changed in KC in the Past Year- West End Redevelopement

Best Twitter Personality- @hrdlyclr

Best View- Town of Kansas Bridge

Sports/Recreation

Best College Basketball Coach- Frank Haith

Best College Football Coach- Gary Pinkel

Best Local Pro Wrestler- Justin Kendal

Best Roller Warrior- Assaulty Olive 

Assaulty Olive

Best Yoga Studio- Maya Yoga

 

Those are my picks for the Best of Kansas City 2012. Head over to The Pitch and let your voice be heard. Maybe just go to support some of the great businesses I’ve listed here. If you are in Kansas City, here is a great list of restaurants and businesses to check out next time you are looking for things to do in Kansas City.