Category Archives: Dining

What does it mean to be the best?
According to Merriam-Webster, the word best is defined as excelling all others or offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction. Isn’t that what most of us strive to do each day? Well in the Northland, we have companies, restaurants, communities and people who endeavor each day to reach the pinnacle of their professions. Three qualities stand out to define the best – giving the best product possible, employing top staff and meeting the needs of the public. That seems to be the recipe for success. For more than two months, people cast their votes on Home in the Northland’s Facebook page in 28 different categories. Take a look here and see who won Best of the Best in the Northland.

BEST AUTO CARE
Gary Crossley Ford
The experts at Gary Crossley Ford are fully equipped for any service, including: oil and filter changes; scheduled maintenance; tire replacement and service; brake pad and shoe replacement; air conditioning; engine service; automatic transmission; engine cooling and cabin heating; steering and suspension; charge, start and battery service; wheel alignment; and anti-lock brakes. General Manager Todd Crossley says being trusted by the community and means everything to his family. “My father has been a part of this community his whole life, working to take care of his friends and neighbors. My brother Ryan and I spend every day doing the same thing. So to hear that all that effort has paid off is amazing.”

Crossley says, “We train all of our employees to listen more than they talk. And when they are talking it’s to confirm and clarify what the customer is saying. You can have the best equipment, the best building and the best location. None of it matters if you don’t listen to your customers.”

BEST BARBECUE
Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is Kansas City’s best choice for traditional, hickory-smoked barbeque that can be enjoyed in a nice, family atmosphere or can be catered or delivered for an event. Smokehouse Bar-B-Que’s pit experts have been preparing authentic barbecue. The fine meats are always prepared to the Certified Angus Beef high standards of quality and consistency. There are sandwiches such as the Smokehouse and the Gladstoner. There are platters of sliced meats and burnt ends. For those on a date, dinner for two includes a whole slab of beef or pork ribs or a sampler platter. The dinner comes with hickory-pit beans, coleslaw and fries. There are also plenty of chicken meals and three steak choices. In addition to its regular dining facilities, the banquet facilities can comfortably hold 100 people. The Zona Rosa location has two private rooms as well.

BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Corner Café
Owner and manager Jason Rule is second-generation family to lead the Corner Café. His parents Ed and Kathi Rule helped establish Riverside as a city. They took a leap into the restaurant business and opened a 40-seat café in 1983. “We really care about the ingredients we use to make the best products we can. As an example, we use 7 different types of butter and margarine. Each imparts a different flavor with our toast or hash browns. We know we aren’t the cheapest, but we really try to strike a balance with best products and best value.”

Rule says the Corner Cafe has a hometown feel. “We try to be as authentic as we can be. We want guests to be comfortable.” The other component is the employees. “We have attracted good employees who stay with us. We have long-term staff members.” Rule says the successful combination is to create the right environment with consistent and quality food. “We have regulars and groups that meet here every week; we can’t be average.” Breakfast items include omelets, waffles, pancakes and fresh bakery items including sticky buns and cinnamon rolls.

CASINO
Ameristar Casino
Sean Barnard, senior vice president and general manager for Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City says, “With the newest, hottest and most popular slots in town and a beautiful hotel, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City offers an exceptional gaming and entertainment experience,” he says. The property includes a 140,000 square foot casino, the full-service hotel with 184 well-appointed rooms and suites; nine dining venues, live entertainment, an 18-screen movie theater, a supervised children’s entertainment complex and a video arcade. “We are thrilled to have the trust of the community,” he says.

BEST CHINESE
bo ling’s chinese cuisine
Bo Ling’s is named after its creators Richard “Bo” and Theresa “Far Ling” Ng. Their restaurants have been acknowledged repeatedly as the Best Chinese Restaurants in town and the location in Zona Rosa mirrors the high quality found at the Plaza location. The dishes are those diners know and love — prepared with the freshest, best ingredients. There are plenty of dishes with noodles, rice, vegetables and tofu. House specialties may be a tad different from other Chinese restaurants. Try the Cantonese style whole flounder, grilled salmon teriyaki, orange peel shrimp, Sichuan hot chili beef, lamb with scallions, and Beijing roasted duck. Bo Ling’s is known for its high quality cuisine and its dedication to using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients. Bo Ling’s adds a personal touch to every dish they serve.

BEST DANCE STUDIO
all about dance by katye
For more than 18 years, Katye Baker and her staff has been instructing children and adults in jazz, tap, ballet and pointe. They have added specialty classes like hip-hop, pompon, tumbling, cheer and ballroom. The studio philosophy is to encourage dancing, build self-esteem and create relationships. The school has more than 800 children and youth enrolled in classes and programs. For more information, visit the website at
www.allaboutdancebykatye.com.

BEST FITNESS CENTER
gladstone community center
The Gladstone Community Center is three years old and visitors and patrons continue to find the center the right place for their community and health needs. Community Center Administrator Justin Merkey says he promises two things: first, exceptional customer service and second, clean facilities. “We continue to add classes such a private swim lessons. There is a Mommy and Me stroller class, a parent-tot swim class, kids Zumba class and more. We are spreading our wings and meeting as many needs as we can.”

The center now has a US Masters Adult Swim Team. “We are purchasing more cardio equipment because like any gym, these pieces are well used and we can meet the requests of more patrons. We want happy visitors.” The center currently has more than 4,000 members. “Our front desk staff and lifeguards now many of them by name. They build relationships. We appreciate when they share the good things and the concerns. We can’t rest on our laurels; we have to keep moving forward.”

BEST FINE JEWELRY
meierotto midwest jewelry
For 32 years, the Meierotto family and their employees have worked hard to meet the needs and wants of Kansas Citians when it comes to fine jewelry. Whether it’s a gift or an engagement ring, Meierotto’s is known for service and selection. Vice President Ted Meierotto says six family members work for the business and work diligently and with integrity. “We work hard to provide a great experience for our customers. They appreciate that the owners are onsite and we are all establishing lasting relationships.”

Meierotto says the long-term staff members also help. “The understand the business too. They are one of those top elements to our success. They help in that consistency of good service.” The store inventory is another element. In watches alone, there are about 50 brands from high dollar Rolexes and Bulova to Seiko and Timex. Jewelry designers are well represented at Meierotto’s. Customers can find loose diamonds for custom rings, David Yurman, John Hardy, Konstantino and Pandora.

Best Happy Hour/Bar
houlihan’s
There are martinis, specialty drinks, wines and lots of choices from the bar at Houlihan’s. Happy hour includes variety. On a couple of days, it’s discounted house cocktails and domestic drafts. Other days, there is half price bottles of wine. Just call to see what the specialties are for the day. There are also select appetizers like chicken nachos and Thai chicken wings at a discounted price.

General Manager Danny Roberts says, “Our guests rock! We are proud of our bar heritage and always strive to develop fresh, trend-setting drinks, so being recognized for the Best Happy Hour and Bar is truly rewarding. Of course, we couldn’t have an energetic bar scene without our loyal guests, so a huge thank you to all who voted for Houlihan’s.”

BEST FLORIST
hy-vee
The Hy-Vee floral departments received the top votes in the Best of the Best contest for the second year. Their professional floral designers are known for giving of their time and talents. Often, shoppers rave about the service that goes well beyond what is expected, especially for weddings and receptions. Couples can find complete wedding and party service at most Hy-Vees. The departments also include assorted foliage and blooming plants, balloons and balloon arrangements, bouquets, cut flowers and gifts and fresh flowers for all occasions. The departments are designed to combine the convenience of one-stop shopping with delivery if necessary. The floral department can make arrangements for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new babies, sympathies, thank yous and more. Liberty Store Director Jeff Eslick says it is the personal attention given to each customer that makes Hy-Vee’s floral department best. “We take that extra time and make sure customers are satisfied with their orders. We have the right number of staff so everyone gets the attention they deserve while others are working on those arrangements.”

BEST LOCAL BAND • TIE!!!
blue rock and four fried chickens and a coke
Jim Flack, lead singer and guitarist for Blue Rock, says the four band members call the Northland home. Flack, Pat Blake, Jim Clark and Greg Jameson got together about four years ago to try their collective hands at some classic rock and Blue Rock was born. The cover band performs songs by ZZ Top and George Thorogood. “We play 1970s style, blues-based classic rock,” Flack says. The band stays in the metropolitan area to perform. “We have all played in bands before and done the whole travel from gig to gig. We all have day jobs now. We love to play and we do it for fun. We are local and we play local.” Flack’s favorite song to perform is Grand Funk’s “I’m Your Captain.”

Brian West, Doug Oswald, and Jon Snow with Four Fried Chickens and a Coke shared some of the conversation about Best Local Band. The three talk about how being part of a stable band for 14 years is not easy, but appreciated by the fans. “We know there are people that are hard-core live music listeners, and some who only go see local music just a couple a times a year. We like what we do, and play often enough not to get to rusty, but also not so much that we hate what we do.”

Four Fried Chickens and a Coke also believe in giving of their time to community projects. “We play every year for the Sherwood Center Benefit at BB’s Lawnside BBQ. We’ve played for many years at the World’s Largest Office Party, which raises money for worthy causes. We’ve played many times for families raising money for people suffering from the high cost of medical treatments.” They have also played at Riverside Riverfest and Zona Rosa Summer Concert Series.

BEST LOCAL BOUTIQUE
Apricot Lane Boutique in Zona Rosa
The Zona Rosa location of Apricot Lane is a little more than a year old, but owner Robin Minder is sure that the inroads being made are lasting. “It is our most important philosophy that each person is greeted with a smile. Our customers are our top priorities.”

While there are more than 40 apparel brands in the store, the store also features fashion jewelry, handbags, and accessories which Minder says are affordable pieces for anyone’s wardrobe. “I want to offer a low-pressure shopping experience,” she says. “I think being trusted so much by the community for me and the girls that work for me is very humbling. It also gives us great pride and respect for our customers and our store. It means giving our customers and future customers the best impression when it comes to how they are treated when they come in the store and what we purchase for the store for them to want to buy. We have such a variety of fun clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories it can be hard to keep up with sometimes, but it is so worth it when you know the community loves what you are doing.”

BEST LOCAL BURGER
LC’s Hamburgers Etc.
For the second year, LC’s Hamburgers Etc. has proven that the little hamburger joint is like David, beating the Goliaths of big hamburger food chains. Owner Mark Potts says the old-fashioned style hamburger is a lost art form for most, but it is alive and well at LC’s Hamburgers Etc. “We basically are what fast food used to be 40 years ago. We cook everything to order. It’s about preparation and the quality of ingredients. The standard is to toast the buns on the griddle so they are slightly crispy and steaming. If the customers ask for grilled onions, they immediately go on the patty. It’s a great taste.” LC trained Potts. “Food doesn’t go out the window if I don’t think I would want to eat it. It was LC’s livelihood and it’s been mine for 11 years now. It’s a family-oriented place that has stood the test of time.”

BEST LOCAL PIZZA
Minsky’s
Minksy’s Pizza began in Kansas City in 1976. The pizzas are savory treats with first-rate toppings including rich real mozzarella baked to bubbling perfection. Justin Rufus, partner and vice president of marketing for Minsky’s. says the strength of the restaurant is actually two-fold. “We have had a strict adherence to suppliers and the quality products they give us. The founder was adamant about that. Those who think we could cut costs have approached us, but we have stuck by the drive to use the best. We have stuck to the original recipes as often as possible. We don’t use anything that is not made from scratch and 95 percent of our product is made in house, excluding a couple salad dressings.”

The second ingredient to the equation is long standing employees, Rufus says. “They take care of us and we take care of them. There is a lot of love that goes into the product.” The customer favorite is the Papa Minsky, a pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, roasted red peppers, the sauce, all topped with mozzarella and Romano cheeses.

BEST METEOROLOGIST
Bryan Busby
Meteorologist Bryan Busby started his job at KMBC 9 News just a few weeks after the Royals’ World Series win in 1985. In those almost 26 years, Busby has been the voice of calm for many in the literal storm, including for some of the youngest viewers. “As a kid in Cleveland, Ohio, I remember lightning striking a tree down the street. Then we ended up under a tornado watch, which is rare for Cleveland. It was that curiosity, that big weather event, that sparked the interest.” He has eight Emmys and is the 2011 American Meteorological Society TV Meteorologist of the Year.

Busby also uses his local renown to help causes near to his heart — diabetes, the MS Bike Ride and the Liberty Symphony are examples. “You have to give back to your community and if I can use my name and face to bring more attention to a cause, it’s great.” Busby has been a guest timpanist and conductor for community groups.

BEST MEN’S BARBERSHOP
Sports Clips
Sport Clips is a place where men and boys can come and get a great haircut while watching their favorite sports team on one of the six flat screen televisions. The stores are neat and the staff is experienced and friendly. The men and boys who want a “championship” haircut experience in a sports themed environment can find it at Sports Clip. The top haircut is called the MVP service and is the flagship service of Sport Clips. According to the site, the MVP begins with a precision haircut followed by an invigorating scalp massage with Tea Tree shampoo, a classic steamed towel, and finishes with a relaxing upper neck and shoulder massage. Stylists are said to have trained to be “guy smart.”

BEST MORTGAGE LENDER
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a retail mortgage lender, which provides home mortgage solutions. It offers construction and renovation financing, home buying, and refinancing solutions, as well as jumbo, adjustable-rate, and reverse mortgages. The company serves homeowners and homebuyers. A mortgage loan is a loan secured by real property and there are many companies that facilitate loans, but in the Northland and throughout the metropolitan area, Wells Fargo lends its strength. Staff members assist customers during the home-buying process gives us the opportunity to get them settled into a house they can turn into a home while reflecting on long-term life goals.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
Briarcliff
Development
Under the guidance of Charles Garney, chairman and chief executive officer, the Briarcliff master plan developed into a blossoming community. There are luxury single-family homes, villas, luxury condos and apartment homes. Site amenities include views of the Kansas City area and the Missouri River valley, a lake, walking trails and sculptures throughout the park — a “green” focus that is sure to appeal. For the second year, Briarcliff has been voted as Best Neighborhood. The other amenities include a shopping district.

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT
Stroud’s
For more than 25 years, Stroud’s cooks and servers have prepared some of the has the best comfort food hands down. The fried chicken and chicken fried chicken are rated some of the best. The side dishes such as mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and cinnamon rolls. Owner Mike Donegan says Stroud’s still follows the tried and true recipes such as the pan-frying and the more laborious steps in the dishes. “In the restaurant industry, one of the hardest things to attain is consistency. We strive for that day in and day out.” On the weekends, lines are commonplace as folks drive from all over for homemade choices. “The Northland has been good to us. We have the best customers in the world. We offer the total package. The atmosphere is fun. It’s similar to Sunday dinner with the family.“

BEST PET INDULGENCE
Petsmart
According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 million homes. For 2011, an estimated $50.84 billion will be spent on pets. It’s not only about food and veterinary care, but supplies and often these supplies are of the indulgent kind. Pet services continues to be a growing category as they become more closely modeled after those offered to people. There’s doggie daycare, training, and expert grooming. Petsmart offers these services and carries all those extras – apparel such as raincoats and shirts, bejeweled collars and leashes, fancy beds, gourmet food and carriers.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Bixler Photography
Services include portrait, wedding, landscape, and event photography. Bixler Photography is described as photography for everyone where all of today’s candid fun photography is taken with professional results. As an example, the wedding shoots are coordinated by two photographers who continually assess the needs of clients while remaining aware of the subtle moments that occur throughout the day. For high school seniors, the photographers work with young people expressing themselves through clothes and props. The studio also handles team pictures and family photography.

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY
Teresa, Ponch and Rocket
Many folks wake up to the humor and conversation of Rocket, Teresa and Ponch, the morning show on KMXV MIX 93.3 FM. Then the folks take the trio along for the morning commute. Each Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., Rocket, Teresa and Ponch host a morning filled with laughter and music. They tackle the events of the day with family-friendly humor and a number of fun-filled features. The Rocket and Teresa Show is also a host to a number of special guests, from visiting comedians to performing artists to local personalities, and there’s always someone new popping in to visit the MIX studio.

BEST REALTOR
Reece & Nichols Kansas City – North
Reece & Nichols Realtors was formed in 1998 with the merger of two of Kansas City’s premier real estate companies, J.D. Reece Realtors and J.C. Nichols Real Estate. Today, as one company, the Reece & Nichols vision is to provide a remarkable home buying and selling experience. As the recognized real estate leader in the Kansas City area, Reece & Nichols is committed to a reliable transaction through a strong family of services including Plaza Mortgage, Kansas City Title and Reece & Nichols Insurance.

BEST SALON
Salon Oasis & Day sSpa
For 10 years, Karen Mitchell Woods and Salon Oasis & Day Spa’s staff has offered top-of-the-line services, including facials that benefit acne, aging and sinus relief, couples massages, body wraps, and hydrotherapies to name a few. Of course, don’t forget the chocolate fondue spa package. It’s a cocoa sugar scrub and a chocolate fondue mud wrap with its natural antioxidants, a Vichy shower, cocoa Shea butter application, chocolate mint pedicure, and shampoo and style.

BEST DAY SPA
Spa Tuscano
The Spa Tuscano is described as a true sanctuary from the outside world. Some of the most popular services are the 60-minute Swedish massage, the 60-minute facial, the spa pedicure and the spa manicure. The spa also offers wraps ands water therapy.

Sales & Event Manager Taylor Bolton says the team at Spa Tuscano is excited to be named top spa. “There is nothing that makes us happier than happy spa guests. Our guests’ passion and excitement about THE SPA is why we love what we do. We will continue to strive to provide every guest with an exceptional experience. Thanks to all the voters for their support!”

BEST STEAKHOUSE
Hereford House at Zona Rosa
Hereford House may be considered a Kansas City tradition and the Zona Rosa location is no exception. General Manager Doug Barnard says Hereford House has a long and loyal customer base. “As a company, we have been around since the late 1950s. We use top-of-the-line products. We buy the best and serve the best. We have a good staff and take care of our patrons. It’s an obligation to make sure our guests are happy. We want them to become repeat guests.”

Happiness can come in good deals like a Happy Hour menu with appetizers and a few sandwich and entrée selections. “Our steaks are an outstanding value. Most people understand and appreciate that value. It’s not what you can get off the shelf at the grocery store,” he says.

BEST THEATER
AMC Theatre Barrywood 24
AMC Theatres is the second largest chain in the United States. The Dubinsky Brothers (Maurice, Edward and Barney) who had been traveling the Midwest performing melodramas and tent shows founded the company in 1920. They purchased the Regent Theatre on 12th Street between Walnut and Grand in downtown Kansas City. Eventually the Dubinskys became the Durwoods. The opening of their first megaplex in 1995 also inspired AMC to install stadium seating and LoveSeat-style seating. Barrywoods 24 opened just a couple years after that. Their commitment is to guest satisfaction and the best possible out-of-home entertainment experience.

BEST TV PERSONALITY
Larry Moore
For the second year in a row, Larry Moore has been honored as Best TV Personality. Moore anchors the award-winning 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. news. A native of Missouri and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism with a master’s degree in television news, Moore has been involved in the coverage of almost every major news story that has affected the Kansas City area in the past 33 years, including the Plaza flood of 1977, the Coates House fire of 1978, the Hyatt skywalk disaster, the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, the Rep. Jerry Litton plane crash, the firefighters explosion, the massive flood of 1993, the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Championship, the Royals’ World Series Championship, and the plane crash and death of Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Moore began working at KMBC as a reporter in 1968, and rose through the ranks to become primary news anchor in 1972. Before becoming a television news reporter, Larry was editor and reporter for two Missouri daily newspapers and United Press International. The Missouri Broadcasters Association, the Kansas Broadcasters Association, the Missouri Radio and Television News Association and the Kansas City Press Club have honored Moore’s television news reporting and anchoring. “It is especially rewarding to be honored by the people we serve. Readers and viewers are our news consumers. I am tremendously appreciative that our news consumers have placed their trust in me. No honor is greater than to be trusted by the wonderful people we serve every night at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.”