Category Archives: Italian

Ciao Bella

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As some of you know by now, Kyle loves him some authentic Italian food.  We stumbled upon this quaint, family-owned place in downtown Lee’s Summit, and after enjoying their fine establishment twice in one weekend, we knew that we found our knew go-to Italian place.  Welcome, to Ciao Bella!

Just Getting Started

Taste: 8

Presentation: 6

Originality: 5

Service: 8

Appearance: 9

Value: 6

Restrooms: Don’t remember.

Pass the Cheese, Please

Taste: True to authentic old Italian recipes, we were really impressed with everything we tried.  The sauces were flavorful and the table bread was warm and baked to perfection.

Presentation: It was a little lacking here.  The food felt a little piled on and occasionally sloppy.

Originality: Just another great place for Italian food.

Service: The first time we went with the kids and the second time we were on a date.  The great thing about this place is that we were treated with equal respect and care on both occasions.

Appearance: Located in a cozy spot with brick walls and fresh plants, this place feels nostalgic and even a little romantic.  But it was still accessible enough for the kids so we all felt comfortable.

Value: The generous potions run a little pricey, so if you’re on a budget, I recommend splitting an entree.  The average dinner portion is about $20 and the average large salad or   starter is about $8.

Restrooms: I honestly can’t remember anything about them, either good or bad.

So, check the good folks of Ciao Bella out!  If you’re planning on going out for dinner on a weekend, make sure to land an online reservation since the wait can be a little long.  Enjoy!

Ciao Bella‎ on Urbanspoon

Lidia’s Kansas City

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The Italians take their food very personally- I know, I married one. Kyle grew up eating bread from the local Italian bakery and fresh pasta, made by his grandmother. So when we finally found an Italian place where Kyle says “they got the food right,” I knew that I had to listen. And you should, too.

When the Moon hits your eye…

Taste: 10

Presentation: 8

Originality: 5

Service: 7

Appearance: 9

Value: 7

Restrooms: 6

That’s amore!

Taste: The sauces were flavorful and felt like they were made on the spot. The pastas were cooked perfectly and all of the food was so light and flavorful.

Presentation: From the bread to our sorbet, every thing was simple and lovely. A delight for the eyes and the taste buds.

Originality: There isn’t anything really original about a “rustic high-quality Italian restaurant.” But we still like ‘em.

Service: Being first-timers, we really appreciated the helpful input of the waiter and he also had great follow-through. He was present but not over bearing. He was funny but didn’t linger. Nice fellow!

Appearance: Lidia’s pays close attention to detail without going overboard. Everything was charming and quaint from the soft candlelight to the rugged brick walls.

Value: Remember, this is fine dining. Entrees run at about $25 each and add another $20 if you want to get a salad and antipasto.

Restrooms: These were actually quite disappointing. I was (very) pregnant when Kyle and checked out Lidia’s and had to use the restroom several times. It was messy and poorly stocked. What a shame.

Lidia's Kansas City on Urbanspoon

SPIN! Pizza

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SPIN! Pizza really knows how to make hungry folks come back for more. A classic twist on the American fav- pizza. I love the fresh non-greasy dough and cool crisp salads. Kyle loves the toppings and atmosphere. Make sure to save room for a fresh scoop of gelato!

Here is how we see SPIN! Pizza

Taste: 8

Presentation: 9

Originality: 10

Service: 7

Appearance: 7

Value: 7

Restrooms: 7

The breakdown

Taste: Always fresh, always what we are craving, SPIN! pizza is just right. As mentioned earlier, their dough is fresh and not greasy. Their cheeses are fresh and they put just the right amount of sauce on it.

Presentation: They use fun, modern plates and keep it clean and simple.

Originality: SPIN! offers a taste that can’t be found anywhere else between their unique ingredients and commitment to quality. May we recommend the pepperoni and gorgonzola? Or how about one with Italian Sausage and Apples? And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, how about a flavorful 8 color salad?

Service: SPIN!  follows the “fast-causal” format so the servers are not required to do as much as in the traditional sit-down place.  The service has depended solely on the server. We have had exceptional attentive waiters one day and people who forget to refill drinks and bring the tab the next.  When they are busy, they are better staffed and flip tables faster but if you go when they are slow sometimes their folks are so focused on dinner prep that they forget about the people in their cafe.

Appearance: Very clean and modern but still has a down-home feel that makes you want to stay a while. A colorful mural on the wall and an open kitchen where our kids love to watch the cooks make the pizza in their brick oven.

Value: A 12″ pizza runs for about $10 or you can get a personal-sized pie with a side for less than $9. Kids meals are about $5.

Restrooms: Personal Stalls only, but always clean and well-stocked.

So how do you SPIN? Check them out, and let us know!

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza on Urbanspoon