Italian, Kansas City

All of the food is good here, and has been quite a tradition for about 10 years at this location. The families created one restaurant in Overland Park and the original up north of the river.

Favorite Dish: Sausage and bell peppers have a stand out taste. I am prone to the sausage flavor. Other good plates are the lasagna that is a very large portion and done with tender touch. The veal is also very good, and fish dishes are a popular item. Pasta dishes are okay, and you get enough to take 1/2 home for another dinner.

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Both of these Italian theme restaurants are in Country Club Plaza area. They are medium to more upscale in items served and price. Neither is really outstanding, in my opinion, and both are overrated and over advertised. Better Italian can be found in local joints.

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The decor is like walking back to 1960's/maybe 1950's. It looks dark and dank inside. This used to be their trademark, but that gets old. The fake flower arrangements are dusty and the tables and chairs seem like they have a few years crud on them. It has been going since 1963 and the "new"restaurant is form 1971-then nothing changed. The original owners still run the operation, and guess what, the wife nick name is V.
Food is average to fair, but none has ever tasted like good. ON the occasions I visited over last 18 years in town, every time the food was luke warm, and nothing to brag about. Ravioli has been what they push, but also pasta dishes, not much substance in the condiment items.

Favorite Dish: Not much I recall.

This Italian restaurant was the first to begin service, and later another started down in the south part of the town/Overland Park. The service is high end and well organized, with attentive waiters handling your needs.

Favorite Dish: The veal here is very good and well presented. Basic pasta dishes are all excellent. Chicken Parmaigiano is an old tradition, as well as the spendini plate. They have been know for the ravioli as a main stay for years.

Cupini's is sit-down restaurant where patrons order their meals at a counter. In that sense, it's kind of a cross between fast food and a more traditional dining experience. As of this writing, Cupini's has four locations in Kansas City (the one I tried is downtown). The food was good, but nothing special. As long as you don't go in expecting a great Italian meal, you shouldn't be disappointed.

I recently saw a claim on Cupini's web site that it is one of the top 1000 Italian restaurants in the US. I'm not sure if that's really worth bragging about or how anyone can even create a list like that in the first place. For what it's worth, Cupini's is definitely one of the top 1000 Italian restaurants I've ever tried :)

The restaurant is in a former railroad house downtown. It's very beautiful inside (can be a bit noisy) and the service is fantastic. On one visit I celebrated a birthday here with family and our server was great about making it a special evening. Both times I've been here I've ordered Lidia's Pasta Tasting Trio. For $26 you get salad and then three different pastas will be put on your plate. The server will occassionally be back to refill your plate if you choose. These are not your usual red sauce pastas. There will be various breads on your table. As your third course you will have your choice of desert. The peach sorbet was outstanding!

Favorite Dish: One of the pasta dishes in the pasta trio had a delicious sage sauce. Different but very good. Did I mention the peach sorbet?

New York Chef Lidia Bastianich opened a version of her east coast restaurant in K.C. several years ago. It is located in the historic freight house district in a remodeled brick warehouse. It can be a bit noisy as it is a popular place for everyone from couples to business groups. It is tastefully decorated with modern colors and unique chandeliers that resemble large grape bunches.

Lidia's has a full range of pasta dishes to grilled intems and two wine lists. The first list has value wines in the $20/bottle range while the second has premium selections. There home made pasta selections are creative and always tasty. They also have the best caesar salad in K.C.

Favorite Dish: Lidias is known for the pasta trio dinner. Every night they have a selection of three pastas (at least one of which is home made) with different sauces. Waiters roam the restaurant with hot pans refilling your plate until you can eat no more. My favorite sauces include a shrimp fra diavalo (spicy) and a very simple garlic and olive oil. Their home made gnocci is also top notch. The dinner comes with a salad and a choice of dessert.

Great NY style Italian deli and pizza place. Part of the charm is the old hardwood floors, tin ceiling, and graffiti-filled brick walls. Try the pizza, calzone or one of your favorite high-stacked deli sandwiches or subs. Pizza by the slice or pies up to a 30 inch monster size for your group. Huge portions. Great desserts. Very reasonable prices.