US2011 - Noodles and Company

While checking out the stores at Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, I stumbled upon Noodles and Company, a fast food chain that allows one to travel the globe without leaving the table.

 

 

Creatively, they serve classic dishes from around the world, all under one roof. And by classic, I meant noodles.

 

 

Since noodles and pasta are part of almost every cuisine, from Pad Thai in Thailand to Lo Mein (yes, that’s how they call noodles in America) in China and to Mac and Cheese in Wisconsin, famous dishes from around Asia, the Mediterranean and America are served.

 

 

Now I wonder, when will they bring Penang’s Char Kuey Teow to the menu?!?!

 

 

Noodles & Co
540, Nichols Road, Kansas City, MO 64112, USA.
+1 816 561 6100
http://www.noodles.com

US2011 - Crayola Cafe

Since Crayola is well known for its crayons, relating crayons to food didn’t sound quite right. But as a tribute to Hallmark's Crayola brand, the Crayola Cafe in Kansas City offers fun and exciting food for kids of all ages!

 

 

Sporting bright, colourful decor and placemats that serve as blank canvasses, it was just unfortunate that they did not serve crayons with the meals. On hindsight, maybe I should have drawn with the mustard and ketchup!!

 

 

Boasting a menu that has "something for everyone", I decided to their their Any-Way-You’d-Like-It-Crayola Burger with Root Beer!!

 

 

By priding themselves as "kids friendly", I think they did a good job to include the big kids too!!

 

 

Crayola Cafe
2450, Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64101, USA
+1 816 398 4820
http://www.crayolacafe.com

US2011 - Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant

A Kansas City tradition since 1954, patrons may dine in at Fritz’s for its novelty of the train, but usually ended up going back for the food!!

 

 

For me, it was all about the train!!

 

 

In addition to the eye-catching and attention-grabbing train that is being displayed at the entrance, model trains also choo-chooed around the whole restaurant.

 

 

It all started back then, when the founders developed an interesting food delivery system to help with the shortage of labour. 60 years down the road, the system still remains as the main attraction at Fritz’s!!

 

 

Instead of ordering the food through a waiter or waitress, …

 

 

… customers are required to dial in from the telephone attached to their table.

 

 

The order would then be delivered in a box by an overhead train, which is lowered by an elevator system.

 

 

See video here:

 

Since Fritz’s is famous for old fashioned hamburgers made with 100% choice ground beef, grilled onions seared in the meat, toasted buns and is always cooked-to-order, I decided to try the Gen Dare, a Fritz’s favourite!!

 

 

Consisting of a single hamburger topped with hash browns, grilled onion, melted cheese, ketchup, mustard and pickles on a seeded bun, it may looked oily and unhealthy, but the taste was superb!!

 

 

I guess, it can’t be denied that customers are always returning for both the fun with the train and the taste of the food!!

 

 

Fritz's Railroad Restaurant
2450, Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
+1 816 474 4004
http://www.fritzskc.com/

US2011 - Kabuki

Opened in 1985 at its current location inside the Crown Center plaza, it is said that Kabuki had retained its original Japanese ownership and tradition for the past 25 years to provide the most exquisite Japanese cuisine in Kansas City.

 

 

Kabuki is also possibly one of the only few Japanese restaurants that serves such huge portions (the portions served are probably double what you usually get at Japanese restaurants)!!

 

 

After realising that Kabuki was voted the Best Sushi in Missouri in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, on hindsight, I should have tried their Sushi instead of the Chicken Katsu!!

 

 

Kabuki
2450, Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
+1 816 472 1717
http://www.kabukikansascity.com/index.html

US2011 - Hallmark

The Hallmark Visitors Center in Kansas City showcases the humble beginnings of the world-famous Hallmark greeting cards and the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, as well as the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame television series.

 

 

Offering a range of interactive displays, visitors get to learn about the creation, design and production of the Hallmark cards.

 

 

 

 

 

Over at the production line demonstration, a machine that creates a star bow is also available to churn out free souvenirs to visitors.

 

 

But, I guess the main highlight of the Visitors Center is the permanent exhibit of:

 

Hallmark’s Presidential Greetings Cards

 

 

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments

 

 

JC Hall’s Christmas Tree Collection

 

 

and The Art of Crown.

 

 

Upon completion of the self-guided tour at the Visitors Center, everyone is then rewarded with a free Hallmark Stationery.

 

 

With all the interesting displays and freebies, a visit to the Hallmark Visitors Center is possibly the best free thing to do in Kansas City!!