February 16, 2009
From TheKCGuy
I recently had lunch at Pizza Bella and was reminded that I've been collecting a list of places in Kansas City to get good antipasto plates. Here's the list I have so far (in alphabetical order):
- Accurso's - When you order the antipasto plate here, you specify the number of people that you'd like it to serve. Then, they make it just the right size. Actually, they always make it too big, so ask them to make it for fewer people than are at your table. It's not too big because it's not good. Quite the contrary. This is one of the heartiest in town, featuring a bunch of sliced meats, cheeses, and some peppers. If you're not careful, you could make a meal of the plate, some bread, and a few glasses of wine. You could do worse.
- Blue Grotto - This newish restaurant in Brookside also has a great antipasto plate. You can get it in two sizes, and they accidently brought me the large one when I ordered the small. Perhaps that's why I always recall it as being one of my favorites. Even if you get the right size, though, this appetizer is one of the better antipasto plates in town. The small plate is $14, and the large is $22.
- La Cucina di Mama (the restaurant affiliated with Bella Napoli in Brookside) - The ambiance may add a bunch to this antipasto plate. They offer a few, but we had the meat and cheese platter. If you combine that with their afternoon happy hour deals, that are even available on Saturday, you can spend a whole afternoon here picking at yummy Italian treats and sipping wine in a beautiful neighborhood.
- Pizza Bella - The cheese plate here was terrific. It featured a few different cheeses, which were delightful. But, my favorite part of the appetizer were the mustard sauce, the blueberry stuff, and the nutty spread (chutney?) that came with them. These complemented the cheeses perfectly. Just like at Blue Grotto, splitting an appetizer and a pizza with a date is the perfect amount of food for a great lunch or dinner.
Those are my favorite places in Kansas City to get an antipasto plate. Where are yours?
