City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (816) 221-5111

Description: We nominate Pierpont’s as one of the most glamorous restaurants in town. The bar is particularly stunning with its dark woods and and mirrored shelves that bartenders reach by climbing a 14-step rolling ladder. It gives a whole new meaning to “I’ll take that straight up.” Owner Rod Anderson has created a menu that earns wolf whistles as well. There’s a regular menu that favors the steaks Kansas City is known for. But we’re particularly fond of the three- or four-course small plate dinners for $28 or $33 respectively. The crab and corn bisque is usually on our check list, followed by beef filet, then one of the decadent desserts. The wait staff suggests you allow 90 minutes to enjoy it all. If you’re rushing to one of the theaters or events within Union Station, you might consider happy hour in the bar where a variety of appetizers—including hamburgers, calamari, and skewered chicken—are available for less than two bucks. The expansive lunch menu ranges from light salads to lusty pastas and a lobster salad on brioche with its own fan club.Rod has made a commitment to his wine cellar as well, with more than 300 labels on the menu and 3,000 more stored below. On Sun, bottles go on sale for up to 50 percent off. What a guy.