Restaurants

Lots going on as we've got less than a week to go until the wedding, but here are some restaurant recommendations broken out by type and location... All of these are favorites, but we'll mark the best of the best with a "*"

Downtown:
Jack Stack (BBQ - Simply the best in a city of great barbeque restaurants) *
Arthur Bryant's (BBQ)
Lidia's (Italian)
Manny's (Mexican)
Lulu's Noodle Shop (Thai)
Thai Place (Thai) *
Hereford House (Steak)
The Mango Room (Caribbean Southern)
La Bodega (Tapas) *
The Peanut (Dive/Pub)

Westport:
Westport Flea Market (Dive/Pub - Great burgers!)
Thai Place (Thai) *
Matsu (Sushi) *
Jerusalem Cafe (Vegetarian)
Lamar's (Donuts!) * ("extraordinary... fit for a king" - Zagat's guide)
McCoy's - (Pub food)

Plaza:
Kona Grill (Asian/Sushi)
Baja 600 (Upscale Mexican)
Classic Cup (Euro bistro) *
Frondizi's (Italian) *

South:
Jack Stack (BBQ) *
Thai Place (Thai) *
Hereford House (Steak)
Lamar's (Donuts!) *
Johnny's Tavern (Sports bar) *
La Cocina Del Puerco (Mexican) *
The Peanut (Dive/Pub)

North:
Swagat (Indian) *

Entertainment Options

Those of you coming to KC from out of town might be looking for other things to do while you're here. Of course, as you've likely read already, NASCAR's in town so you might be able to scalp tickets to the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. If auto racing's not your style, here are a few other events scheduled for next weekend...

Friday:
Paul Oakenfold at nightspot NV
North Mississippi All-Stars at Liberty Hall in Lawrence

Saturday:
Negro League Baseball Museum (open daily)

Sunday:
Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers @ Arrowhead Stadium
The Rolling Stones are playing Cessna Stadium 3 hours south of KC in Wichita
The Strokes at Memorial Hall in KC

Some other interesting things to do in the KC area...

• Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Kansas City Zoo & IMAX
• Science City/Union Station
• Liberty Memorial (the only US museum dedicated solely to WWI)
• Arabia Steamboat Museum
• Oktoberfest (9/29 to 10/1)
• Kansas City Renaissance Festival
• The Truman Library

Maps & Directions

Here are some links to maps and directions from the hotels to Unity Temple on the Plaza and from their to the Uptown Theater...

Hotels:
Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza
1 E. 45th St.
(816) 753-7400

Holiday Inn Express Westport
801 Westport Rd.
(816) 931-1000

Ceremony:
6:30 PM Saturday @ Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 W. 47th St. (47th and Jefferson)
(816) 561-4466
Plenty of free parking is available in the public garage behind the church

Driving Directions from Holiday Inn on the Plaza to Unity Temple On the Plaza

Driving Directions from Holiday Inn Westport to Unity Temple On the Plaza

Reception:
7:30 PM Saturday at the Uptown Theater
3700 Broadway (Broadway and Valentine)
(816) 753-8665
Free, secured parking is available across Valentine in the Apple Market lot.

Driving Directions from Unity Temple On the Plaza to Uptown Theater