Classic Cellar-On the Plaza   

Enjoy the best people watching on the Country Club Plaza at a socialite's sidewalk cafe -- that is, if you can take your eyes off of your food. The contemporary menu starts with some of the best appetizers you'll find in Kansas City. Try the portabella mushroom quesadilla with goat cheese and spinach, served on a bed of greens and topped with Roma tomato and balsamic vinegar tapenade. The 40+ wines by the glass (or bottle) promise to make an impression on any schooled palate. After you get through the mouth-watering appetizers, entrees, salads, pizzas, soups and sandwiches, enjoy the ambiance. For general manager Bob Riekhof, the atmosphere is as important as the food. He boasts about the dining room, a traditional French brasserie filled with elbow-to-elbow tables, that has started many friendships over the years. The back patio deck allows patrons to dine under umbrellas with a bit of privacy, while the front sidewalk feels like a Parisian patio on the River Seine -- shoppers walking by, inches away, sometimes stop to inquire about what you're eating. Classic Cup's breakfasts are a great way to start the day too. -- Jenni Simcoe