After celebrating the New Year with my own boys, I packed up and headed to Kansas City to visit my sister and her 11 week old nugget. To be clear, she lives on the Missouri side of Kansas City, because Kansas and I have a strained relationship, and I find it best that I avoid the state altogether.

I had been trying to find a time to meet her new addition, but with 3 boys of mine, it’s been tough. I dared not bring my own one year old with me, as I took him on a quick flight to Dallas and back at the beginning of December and learned that he is a TERRIBLE flier. So, a quick 48 hours to Kansas City (Missouri) and back to meet ‘Dean-Pop.’

Baby Dean is a wonderful baby - good eater, good sleeper, rarely spits up. I’m happy that my sister has no idea how difficult a baby could be. She deserves a ‘break’, not that a baby qualifies as that.

I arrive in the evening on Jan 1. The next day, we headed downtown to explore

First stop, the historic Union Station. It’s a beautiful must see!
Next stop, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - I would argue, another must see…and free! Van Gogh is on exhibit right now, and there’s a stunning Caravaggio on display. I wrote a lengthy paper in a high school course on Caravaggio’s “Conversion of Saint Paul”, so I’m always especially excited to see his work.
Final stop of the afternoon, Gates BBQ…gotta say, wouldn’t recommend. The line was slow moving, the service was dismissive, and the ribs that we ordered were tough. I prefer a ‘fall off the bone’ style rib with some sweetness in the sauce, and this place doesn’t excel in either of those areas.

We returned home, walked Dean-Pop around the neighborhood, and rested up before a night out without baby. Back to downtown KC we went to:

Lazia, An Italian Restaurant located at the Crossroads Hotel. Honest review: The drinks were absurdly slow (30 minute wait for a cocktail in a seemingly small to medium sized restaurant), but I think that was more of a reflection on our server than the bartender. The food was absolutely delicious though and was delivered to our table within a reasonable amount of time. For appetizer, we tried the fritelle, and for mains, we split the doppio raviolo and the pappardelle. *Our favorite was the raviolo*
Next up, my sister’s favorite lounge bar, Mercury Room was closed for the week from the holidays, so we ventured to Prime Social for a nightcap instead, which I much preferred. If I’m at a bar that is too dark, too quiet, and too low energy, the result is always the same - I get sleepy. Prime Social was bustling with an energetic atmosphere without being too loud or overwhelming.

The next day, her angelic baby let me sleep in (praise!), and we didn’t make it out of the house until noon for a coffee and some light shopping. I HIGHLY recommend Mildred’s for coffee and/or brunch. It’s so cute inside, and the breakfast sandwich I had was top notch with a specialty herb mayo. I had always written KC off, but I think that our entire family is due for some adventures there!

As I wait in the beautifully renovated KC Airport, I can’t wait to get back to my own boys! Apparently they’ve had a fun-filled day with their dad that started at Waffle House, followed by a visit to Mike the Tiger, and video games :)

48 Hours in KC

Big-Hearted

Happy New Year