My February Simply KC column is out: The Man-Pleasing Valentine’s Night Out. This was a fun one to research…a wonderful evening at The Rieger Hotel with great company and a superb meal from Howard Hanna and crew.
A Man’s Perspective – The Man-Pleasing Valentine’s Night Out
Valentine’s Day draws near, the most meaningful of the meaningless holidays for lovers. I’m frequently asked by women for date ideas that a guy would enjoy. Ladies, we’re not complicated animals. Give us pork, whiskey and some live music and we’re happy as clams. Here’s a blueprint on how to plan a Valentine’s date in KC that will please the most stubborn of men.
The Rieger Hotel
Start with dinner. In Kansas City’s increasingly exciting culinary landscape, Chef Howard Hanna and The Rieger Hotel are standout performers. KC’s restaurants have benefitted greatly from talented chefs who head to the east coast and abroad for training and experience, then return home to make a splash. Manhattan, KS-raised Howard Hanna is a prime example. After training at The Culinary Institute of America and working in New York and France, Howard brought his expertise back to the Midwest. Before opening The Rieger, he was responsible for some of the great food at 40 Sardines, Room 39 and River Club. He’s certainly made the most of the opportunity to run his own kitchen. On each of my visits to The Rieger, the food has been both delicious and ambitious. It was a joy to sit at the kitchen counter and watch Chef Hanna’s serene efficiency as he presided over our meal’s preparation.
There were obvious winners: the sous vide lamb shoulder, the sweetbreads and scallops and the house-made mortadella. Even more exciting were the hidden gems: the house-cured guanciale in the bucatini rosso, the impossible lightness of the dressing on the chicken liver and arugula salad (my dining companion’s favorite course) and the two wonderful desserts by Natasha Goellner of Natasha’s Mulberry & Mott. The deliciousness of the food and the convivial conversation with Chef Hanna and the rest of the staff combined to produce a truly memorable dining experience, one that I recommend highly.
Manifesto
Conveniently, The Rieger Hotel is located just above one of the best places to get a cocktail in Kansas City. Manifesto is a modern speakeasy inspired by pre-prohibition era bar culture. Founder Ryan Maybee is notorious for his attention to detail and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere. Manifesto’s cocktails are based on classics, but offer an updated twist of ingenuity. Many feature house-made and local ingredients; even the ice is special. The bartenders here know their stuff. Pick out something from the seasonal menu, sit back and enjoy. There’s nothing else quite like it in the city.
Mutual Musicians Foundation
Finish your evening in the Jazz District at the Mutual Musicians Foundation’s late night jam session. I’m still surprised how many KC residents I meet who haven’t experienced one of our city’s coolest traditions. Our city has a rich jazz heritage and the MMF is committed to preserving and continuing that musical tradition. Every Friday and Saturday night starting at midnight, the Foundation hosts live jazz, food and a full bar until 5am. Stay as long as you can…it’s amazing.
Any one of these three parts will make for a great Valentine’s night out, but combining the three is guaranteed to be something memorable. I’ll leave the rest of the evening to you. I’m sure you can come up with a fitting finish.
The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
1924 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
816.471.2177
TheRiegerKC.com
Manifesto
1924 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
816.536.1325
Mutual Musicians Foundation
1823 Highland Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64108
816.471.5212
TheFoundationJamsOn.org
“A Man’s Perspective” appears monthly in Simply KC Magazine. You can view my archived columns here. If you have any ideas you’d like me to explore, let me know. I’d love to investigate and include them in an upcoming column.
