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Lidia's
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
101 W 22nd StKansas City, MO 64108
Neighborhood: Greater Downtown
(816) 221-3722
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 2 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
115 reviews for Lidia's
Review Highlights
"The pasta trio is always great and very rewarding."
(in 36 reviews)
"An adventurous menu and extensive wine list - check."
(in 12 reviews)
"This is a great place for Sunday brunch."
(in 7 reviews)
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115 reviews in English
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Review from Erin F.
Kansas City, MO
2/6/2012
oh Lidia's! what can i say about one of the greatest italian places that i have ever eaten (and I've been to italy :)
We went on a Monday night during restaurant week to get a fantastic meal for a great deal. BUT Mondays are also Tuscan Grill Nights which is a phenomenal way to try everything with suggested wine pairings. So we decided to pay $8 more for one more course and wine. Everything was unbelievable! The calamari salad that started was balanced and fresh. The pasta trio tasted homemade and their sauces were to die for. The main course, which I chose duck breast, was succulent and moist; except, to be honest, the side of vegetables were burnt and I really didn't know if I was suppose to eat them or not : / I suggest not! And the desert plate of cookies was delicious, but BEWARE! the grappa that accompanies it is almost like the italian version of ouzo. It was insanely strong, but very flavorful. Definitely had a huge kick to it ;)
Overall, my boyfriend and I were pleasantly surprised with the abundance of food that we received and the great taste everything had. We will definitely be returning for more Monday nights and special nights that they offer.
I highly recommend going and tasting the great recipes of Lidia!!!
Bon Appetito! -
Review from Gerard f.
Loveland, CO
2/8/2012
It was Ok not wonderful. It is for sure not a family restaurant.
The shuttle bus driver from the hotel recommended this place so we went with our 7 month old. There is no place to change the diaper and there was no room between tables for a stroller.
Looked like a great business dinner type place. -
Review from Katie M.
Mission, KS
1/30/2012
Ate at Lidia's last week for Restaurant Week with two friends, and we all really enjoyed it.
Each of us got a different first course and shared them all - crab and risotto cake, caesar salad, and the frico. They were all quite tasty, though I was partial to the crab and risotto cake, especially when paired with the poached egg it was served with.
Two of us did the pasta tasting, and my friend's husband had the braised pork shoulder. Unless you are a picky eater, the pasta tasting is the way to go. Served tableside, you get to sample three entirely different dishes. I wonder how much they truly change from day to day, or if they have some standbys or favorites that they rotate in frequently. It's the middle of winter here, so the options were rustic yet hearty (ravioli filled with chicken and spinach - our fave; shrimp linguini with a light pesto; and a bowtie pasta with a light tomato and olive oil sauce). I had a bite of the pork dish, and the meat was tender and nicely flavored.
We all had the same dessert, which was a truly unique concoction - stout cake topped with a chocolate ganache, milk chocolate and stout ice cream, a caramel drizzle and barley crunch. The beer-flavored ice cream was fantastic!
The service was great, though I was brought another glass of wine when I intended to look at the cocktail menu. Oh well! I also thought the building was beautiful. There's a massive fireplace on one end and an impressive backlit wine wine on the opposite end. I also admired the huge patio and imagined myself returning to Lidia's for cocktails in the spring or summer!
My only minor complaint is that I didn't feel the Restaurant Week menu was very special if you wanted to do the pasta tasting. You can normally get it plus the Caesar Salad and dessert for $30. I guess with RW, we just had the option for fancier a fancier first course? In any scenario, I will definitely revisit Lidia's! -
Review from Tony K.
1/20/2012
Not bad (*nods head*). It's hard to satisfy me with Italian. Along with not liking to pay for overpriced pasta, most just aren't that great. That said I enjoyed this restaurant.
First, its at the freight house, with the brick walls and high ceilings they tend to be on the darker side. Perfect for more of an intimate setting. (i.e. Take your Girlfriend here and not the place with all you can eat bread sticks) Some of the tables in the center are a little closer together then I'd like. I probably would not have noticed if there wasn't people on three sides of us.
Three out of the four of us tried one of the drinks off the cocktail menu. They were all good although the waitress never came around to ask us if we wanted another... luckily the bus boys kept the water full. Other then that the service was fine.
Had the pasta trio as there were several options I wanted to try anyways and with this I got to sample three. Served table side which just means that put it on your plate in front of you. It changes, but mine had a pesto which had high hopes for, but was just ok. The other two were pretty good. One had a nice sausage mixed in that was tasty. The ravioli was good ranked somewhere between the other two. (same item's as Kelsey H. (1/6/12) review)
We've stuck around for dessert and there is Tiramisu as a mainstays and some other interesting choices.
Good place for dates and birthdays. -
Review from Kelsey H.
Lenexa, KS
1/6/2012
This was my first time at Lidia's. Everyone else in the party had been at least once before. We had a group of six for a birthday party.
The experience starts as soon as you arrive. We had a hostess take our coats, and the host seated us before our actual reservation time, which was a bonus. The restaurant itself is lovely -- high wood ceilings and an almost cozy low-light atmosphere. It's special without feeling stuffy. The staff sprinkled confetti on the table for the birthday celebration.
Four members of our party had the three-course option: a caesar salad to start, the pasta trio and a dessert. I highly recommend this, it's a great deal. The salads were very generous, and the bread selection is great without being too filling. The basil spread is delicious. The three pastas of the day were a shrimp-and-pesto linguine, a sweet bow-tie pasta with sausage and a ravioli stuffed with cheese and shredded pear. All three were delicious, and the portions (as much as you can eat) were great. One of our party had the lasagna, which she enjoyed. I had the wild boar-stuffed ravioli -- phenomenal, especially the rosemary sauce.
We each had dessert: three orders of tiramisu, the meringue with chocolate and chestnut ice cream, the Nutella-and-banana dessert and the pumpkin mascarpone. The servings were good, not too big but not too small. In my experience desserts are usually either too big to finish or too small to get a good taste. These were just right.
The service was excellent. The bread, pasta and water were regularly refilled and our server was attentive without being irritating. The birthday guest received star treatment, including a free tiramisu with a birthday candle. It was a very lovely evening and I'm looking forward to going back. The final bill was, we thought, extremely reasonable, given that we had wine, coffee and cocktails, salads, mains and desserts. Lidia's isn't a place to visit every day, but when you go for something special, it's not outrageous.
Just a fair warning that this Italian is different from what a lot of people are used to. The lasagna is probably the most "conventional" item on the menu. There's a lot of emphasis on light and/or white sauces, seafood and unique pasta fillings, be they meat, fruits, vegetables or cheese. It's worth ordering something out of your comfort zone. Overall, it was a great dinner experience and a very memorable birthday. -
Review from Ray L.
12/22/2011
I liked it. I just don't have any strong feelings about it.
I met a friend here for brunch, which was a beautiful experience. There was a nice spread of appetizers, which definitely felt brunchy. The building allows for a lot of natural light and the high ceilings make you feel at ease.
The food was great quality, I'm just not dreaming about it. I had the canneloni as my entree; the pasta was fresh, good sauce, quality cheese and just simple - exactly what Italian should be right? No complaints there. My boyfriend got the sampler, which was fresh, but just okay.
Maybe I came in with mismatched expectations upon hearing "brunch." I had wanted everything to be dripping with soft egg yolks and there to be lots and lots of bacon.
It was good, it really was. It just doesn't excite me. -
Review from Lea K.
12/13/2011
I LOVE Lidia's! If you are a vegetarian you will be hard pressed to find a place more accommodating. Every time I come here I order the pasta trio; Every time they modify it for me so that I can have three meat free options. One time they had a ravioli that had pear in it... it was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. There was just a slight hint of pear in the ravioli and it was perfect.
Also, even though the pasta is unlimited...they still let you take home a to go box. Which is a nice policy.
I went there again for their Sunday brunch and they had a butter that had brown sugar mixed in... it is worth going just for that alone. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of cozy yet upscale.
Go to Lidia's and you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Carol K.
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Made a reservation for dinner, wanted to try this place, this was a good time to do it, might not be back this way, so why not. We had a great table and a great waiter. Service was excellent.
We looked over the menu and placed our order, we started with appetizer recommended by the waiter, we tried the Polipo alla Griglia which was a grilled octopus with warm potatoes, red onion, Gaeta olives, and capers in red wine vinaigrette. This was so delicious.
For a salad I got the Insalata Barbietole, a roasted beet and apple salad with frisee and fresh goat cheese. I have enjoyed a version of this at other places and this ranks up there as one of the best.
For my entree, I chose the Filleto di Maiale. This was grilled pork tenderloin with braised greens and Apple Compote Agrodolce. Another excellent choice, very good!
And finally for desert we tried the Budino alla Nutella, a dark chocolate and Nutella custard, caramel bananas, crispy chocolate-hazlenut crunch, a great way to end the meal.
This was a great meal, one of the highlights of our trip to KC, will be talking about this one for a while. Must go to Lidia's for sure! -
Review from Anthony B.
Los Angeles, CA
12/31/2011
Highly disappointed. An "Italian" restaurant that screws up pasta! Of my "signature" trio, the rigatoni was hard and undercooked with almost no sauce at all, the ravioli with butter sauce was so salty it was nauseating, and the shrimp fettuccine was the most bland tasteless mess with practically uncooked long beans and clumps of pasta stuck together.
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Review from J Michael W.
Kansas City, MO
1/16/2012
Terrific atmosphere. Excellent service. Yummy food. We arrived at 5.30 (half hour after opening) on a Thursday and the place was practically ours for the taking - not crowded at all which was also nice.
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Review from Tyler H.
Liberty, MO
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
As soon as you walk in you see that the ambiance is not only befitting of an upscale restaurant but it is enjoyable to stop and look at being that it was an old train station. From the moment we walked in to the time we left the service was great. Our server was very knowledgeable of all the food and presented everything in a very appetizing fashion. The table was very large for the size of the party we had (4) which was a plus seeing as there were multiple dishes that we were presented with. The beverage service was great in terms of refills and promptness. However the cocktail menu left a bit to be desired. Albeit they have a full bar, the "specialty" drinks presented on the menu were very few and far between.
Now, on to the food. Being drawn in to the promise of variety I choose the pasta trio house special. This included three different pasta de giorno's that were served tabled side with out end. All three choices for the day were delicious and had alot of variety, however they were a bit on the cold side when they reached my table. The second round however made up for the first being delivered piping hot.
Their wine menu was fantastic with something to pair with every single dish, in addition the desert menu offered many traditional Italiano deserts. Overall a very good experience and a definite repeat. -
Review from Curtis K.
10/9/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
After watching Lidia on public tv for so many years , I had to eat here once I found out she had a restaurant in KC.
Wife had the beet salad w/ grilled peaches , goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette it was awesome , I tried to make it at home ,Lidia's version a little better:)
I had the Cesar salad nothing special.
I had the trio of pasta , all you can eat don't remember the pasta's but i will say this , I do remember all the pasta being very good and different from anything I have ever had,and not something you would find on a olive garden menu, not a knock on olive garden , I like olive garden.
The trio changes daily , so you can go every night and eat something different. Service was excellent. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Manhattan, NY
12/22/2011
I had the Ossobuco di Maiale con Risotto di Farro and it blew my mind. My taste buds were singing, next time I am visiting KC I am def. going back here. Our waitress was very nice and let us know about any dishes with nuts in them bc my sister is allergic to walnuts, pine nuts, etc...
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Review from Kitty K.
Lee's Summit, MO
12/25/2011
My husband & I went to Lidia's for Happy Hour. We sat at the bar in front of the mammoth fireplace. Very nice & cozy atmosphere but a little warm. Felt bad for the bartender. We noticed that he had a fan hidden to cool him off. We ordered 4 small plates, $5 each. The food was delicious & satisfying. We both had their wine that was on special $5 a glass, and it was very good too. Will definitely be going back & doing this again!!
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Review from Samantha H.
Sheldon, MO
12/31/2011
Long story short... I loved Lidia's! The atmosphere, service, food, everything was on point. The only possible thing I could find that didn't make it a 5 star, was their bar menu. I had a bellini, which was fabulous and was very torn between that and their seasonal martini. The calamari appetizer was enough for our party of 4! My calamari standards are very high and Lidia's did a fantastic job. I would recommend this place for intimate dining and small parties. Try it and you will not be disappointed!
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Review from Nicole B.
9/16/2011
Lidia's is not a traditional Italian restaurant. You will not find spaghetti and meatballs or chicken parmigiana on the menu. The menu is creative, but still lends to Italian tradition. I have been for dinner and for Sunday Brunch.
For dinner, I have started with the fritto misto and it's been very good. I have also started with the Frico, and wasn't a huge fan of it. As an entree I've had the Ossobucco, which is a lot of food! I've also had the gnocchi. Since my grandmother makes her own gnocchi, I'm very critical of gnocchi at restaurants, but I could tell the gnocchi at Lidia's was made fresh. It was light and fluffy.
The Sunday Brunch is one of the best I've had in the KC area. It is A LOT of food. There is the antipasto buffet, as well as muffins and other baked goods. In addition to the buffet, you order a brunch item off the menu.
The interior of the restaurant is absolutely stunning. The glass chandeliers remind me of when I was at the glass factory in Murano, Italy. The high ceilings and wood and brick interior are different than any other restaurant I have seen in the area. There are also huge windows, which show off great city views. It's a great restaurant for a romantic evening out or a special occasion. -
Review from Taylor F.
Chicago, IL
11/1/2011
The food is excellent! The dipping sauces are fun!
We've been there twice in the last year and I must say that the service is touch and go. If you do get a good server I assure you they are great! If you get a mediocre server you might be forgotten about if it is busy.
There desserts are wonderful! We love the espresso and the tiramisu.
The wine list is impressive and the by the glass program is decent. It is fun to celebrate fun occasions here. Though the seating style is European in the close proximity to the other tables it is executed well. There dining room attendants are very attentive and are sure you always have bread and never run out of water! -
Review from Kim N.
8/8/2011
Lidia's is a true Italian restaurant, so do not expect Olive Garden here. This is actually good food, no it is really good food. This is my mom's favorite place so we have eaten here a lot.
They have an all you can eat pasta trio that my husband loves to get when we go. I adore the lemon chicken and the grilled fish. I don't pick any one fish because I have so many fish dishes here. The salmon is always amazing, the Talipa is great, there is not a fish here that I have disliked.
Do not except dishes covered in sauce and hidden under cheese. Bad cooks hide their food under cheese and sauce, Lidia does not need to hide her food.
The dessert are varied so you have tiramisu, chocolate cakes, sorbets, and many others. I always have the sorbets since I don't do dairy.
Another plus is they mainly cook in olive oil so I can eat most things here.
We tend to make this a special event place because it is a little expensive but it is so worth it. They also have a great wine selection.
Also they have glass chandeliers done by an artist from New Hampshire named Jordana Corson especially for Lidia's. They hang from the ceiling and are so pretty. I could sit there and just look at the glass all day. -
Review from Amy R.
Leawood, KS
12/13/2011
I have no idea how anyone could ever have a problem with this place...it is consistently so good, service is incredible and atmosphere is amazing. From drinks, appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert with incredible coffee and Sambuca...just out of this world. Not just one visit but several...this is my 'go to' restaurant for out-of-town guests.
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Review from Dave G.
Overland Park, KS
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pasta Trio was great
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Review from Caroline T.
Kansas City, MO
1/9/2012
The setting and service at Lidia's is outstanding.
I vowed to myself that I wouldn't order the pasta trio - wanted to be more adventurous, but for whatever reason, I gave in and ordered it...it was really just "meh" for me. One dish was very good - a cheese-filled ravioli - the other two were very ordinary - one, a linguine with pesto and shrimp, the other, farfalle with tomato sauce. It was my understanding that the servers were to serve the pasta from the cooking pan - not for me. However, we were served by the cutest group of fellows, but from large bowls - so I think it wasn't has warm as it could have been. And then, my plate was cleared - no offers of refills - not that I was dying for more, but maybe would have had a couple more raviolis!!! And to make matters worse, seconds were offered to one of my dining companions. Sheesh! What's up with that?
Everything else was quite good - cocktail, wine, salad and dessert. I know this is partially on me for not ordering more creatively, but I just can't love Lidia's like I want to. For a great dish of pasta any time, I'll return to my own neighborhood's Bella Napoli - not once have I been disappointed there. -
Review from Deana W.
The thing about Lidia's is that you feel elegant just walking in. The rustic interior paired with the delicate, but massive hand blown glass clusters of grapes dripping from the ceiling and the stark white linen table clothes speak volumes about the experience to come.
Creative and authentic hand made pastas are their forte, but service and atmosphere encircle you from the very moment you enter. Today I am here to delight in the utter abundance of Brunch. A delectable basket of freshly baked breads arrive at our table to whet my appetite. An enticing array prepared with dried cherries and nuts, rustic ciabatta, biscotti, and an assortment of butters blended with fresh fruit serve to ready my palate for the cornucopia that is the buffet table.
It's all in your attitude towards the brunch spread. I think of it as my opportunity to create a 12 course Chefs tasting menu, not a food trough. I love to sample tiny, tasty morsels. The more the merrier. Salumi-marinated olives, fruit salad, Caesar salad, spring greens with pickled vegetables, Yukon gold potato with broccoli rabe and roasted cauliflower, and marinated fresh green beans with zucchini round out my sampler.
Unlike other brunch offerings, Lidia's allows you to choose an entree'. I chose the Pasta Trio, once again a sampling of the hand crafted pastas of the Chefs discriminating palate. My dining partner/ benefactor, The Man, chose The Filet with roasted potatoes and a soft egg.
The piece de resistance/crowning glory...the desert bar. Once again Lidia's shines. Lovely presentation of tiny delicate portions of melt-in-our mouth ecstasy. White chocolate panna cotta with cherries, white chocolate torte with a toasted coconut mousse, an assortment of lilliputian indulgences. Crisp cookies,and tiramisu culminate the offering. Cue the choir of heavenly angels singing Alleluia !...and I waddle away! -
Review from Zach G.
6/17/2011
If someone were to ask me if I liked Lidia's, I would say yes...usually. 50/50 maybe. I have been here 3 times...once it was amazing, once it was good, once it was mediocre. I haven't been back in a few years and I am not missing it.
Service was always fine, it was the food that was spotty. The pasta trio has been good in my experience, but the rest of the menu is hit or miss. To be honest, it has been about 2 years since I have been, so I don't necessarily remember what I had, but I do remember my reactions...meh, it's OK, wish it were better for the price.
I know what you're saying now "wow, this review is phenomenal". I know it is. -
Review from Christina M.
Lexington, MO
7/11/2011
I have been going to Lidia's for years, mostly on special occasions, so I thought it was about time I wrote a review.
Lidia's is a great place. The majority of my experiences there have been positive and I always recommend it to people visiting the area. I feel like Lidia's has a lot to offer its customers. It is in a great location, has a gorgeous façade, prepares Italian "comfort" food and offers up a modern take on traditional fare. I have always loved going to Lidia's, since I know that I can usually find something I will enjoy. The menu offers delicious options from start to finish, with each course having strong plates.
The reason I must give Lidia's 4-stars is that every time I have gone recently, there has been at least one thing wrong. The first time I went we waited for 45 min (even though we had made a reservation). On our second trip, they appeared to be understaffed and the time between our courses was much longer than it should have been. The last trip to Lidia's (7/9/11), my boyfriend and I ordered the "Frico" as an appetizer. We both ordered the "shrimp and scallion" frico, but when it arrived they were both filled with sausage. Since they seemed very busy, I didn't send the food back (I probably should have) and I instead ate around the sausage.
As the evening continued, I realized how hot the restaurant was, even in a summer dress I was very uncomfortable. The close quarters made it even worse and I was soon more focused on the heat than my meal. I wish they would have turned the air up more since it was so hot outside. The amount of people inside made it worse and they should have compensated for that.
After the debacle with our appetizers, our entrees arrived. I had ordered Spaghetti alla Trapanese and my boyfriend had the Pollo con Limone e Olive. The "crispy fried" aspect of the dish was less than crispy and I ended up picking off most of the breading. The pasta was a bit tough and I thought the dish was fairly flavorless. My boyfriend loved his dish and the only complaint he had was that it was a little heavy on the lemon, but that didn't bother him. I did not finish my entire plate and I probably would not order it again. My boyfriend ate everything on his plate and raved about his, so I would say he gave it 5/5.
The desserts we ordered were definitely the stars of the evening. I ordered a pistachio cake w/ ice cream and pistachio brittle. It was delicious. It isn't normally on the menu, so I was excited to see something with pistachios. My boyfriend ordered the Budino alla Nutella and said that it was delicious and rich.
Their wine list was had a lot of options and the server was knowledgeable about about each of the bottles. He even gave us his recommendation (which happened to be the cheaper of the two bottles we had selected).
All in all, I will always go back to Lidia's because it never *really* disappoints. -
Review from Jeff H.
Kansas City, MO
6/26/2011
Italian restaurants can be one note, red-sauce tedious, but Lidia's daily "pasta trio" offering, three different varieties that change daily, makes this a great place to visit consistently. One of my favorites in the trio is the squash-filled ravioli, a cold weather dish. The salads are delicious too -- I found out anchovy paste makes the mix so tasty.
One highlight of each visit is the beautiful basket of breads placed on your table. I'll bag the leftover bread and take it home because it's a sin to throw out something so nice.
Understand that this is a northern Italian restaurant and that tomato sauces are not the star here. I've tasted some very interesting treatments of pork sauces.
Outside the grind of the work week, Lidia's has a very good Sunday brunch buffet. If you love tiramisu, here's your change to do some real damage.
The decor of the restaurant, with large, colorful blown-glass light fixtures overhead, adds to the enjoyment. -
Review from s. m. j.
Conway, AR
This was the second restaurant I went to in Kansas City with my aunt, and both were Italian. I was excited to dine here because of the reputation of the chef, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere, the decor, the friendliness and the food were all wonderful and lots of fun. My 89-year-old aunt kept saying, "This is certainly an experience!"
We were late for our reservation because we got turned around downtown and couldn't locate the address on time. My aunt called to let them know not to let the table go, and she said they were very helpful and friendly, and when we arrived at 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday night, we were shown right to our table (I hate to wait when we have reservations!). The decor is beautiful, striking and remarkable for conversation. The restaurant is loud, and my aunt had to strain to hear the waiter, but it all added to the feeling of fun and excitement. All kinds of dress were observed from dressy, to cocktail to casual. Everyone seemed very comfortable.
The complimentary bread with green and black olive tapenades was delicious and welcomed! I had a difficult time choosing from the menu, in which so many things looked delicious. Our waiter described the pasta trio special to us, in which three different pastas are served from pans at the table. This was available either on its own or as a prix fixe with caesar salad and choice of dessert, which we both ended up choosing. For us, the pastas were a cheese ravioli with pesto, shrimp and broccoli linguini and an "angry" pasta -- spicy red sauce with what I only remember as twisty noodles. All were delicious. The selling point of this item is that you can eat all you want, but the original servings were more than enough for us. My aunt felt they weren't hot enough when served, and I think she was right, as they were merely warm.
The dessert for the prix fixe was from the full dessert menu, and we both chose the lemon cake with blueberries and caramom ice cream, which was perfectly summery, light, fruity, sweet AND tart and delicious. I asked our waiter for dessert advice, as I was trying to choose among three, but he was noncommittal, only saying the pastry chef served nothing that wasn't delicious and describing them to us. He said he had not served the lemon cake before, so when we ordered it, he was eager to know how we liked it. We unreservedly recommended it to him for other guests.
This restaurant was a full sensory experience with delicious food and great atmosphere. The service was a little slow (my second glass of wine took quite a long time), but that is so much better than being rushed out, and we certainly felt welcome to sit for a long time and enjoy our evening. Enjoy Lidia's. We did! -
Review from Kc L.
Kansas City, MO
3/2/2011
A regular Standby for us.
Our routine dishes are the chicken scallopini or salmon, well done. Never a disapointment. Quite fond of winter meals at the bar with the fire glowing in front of us.
We venture into the greater menu often. Especially the seasonal offerings. Most always with pleasure. The breads are always a nagging temptation while anticipating the delivery of courses, though we forego the "hummus" duo and opt for a plate of olive oil with a mound of fresh parmesan in it's center.
The pasta medley is for now bypassed by me until some future when cross country sprints again enter my routine. Previous ventures into such steaming pans from this kitchen have delivered equal measures of sublime, enjoyable and forgotten.
In my experience, Italian dining with Slavic influences is still an adventure for my palate. I feel fortunate that Lydia chose to make a part of her experience in Kansas City.
Btw, the mashed potatoes bring on guilt that must parallel adultery. -
Review from Christine T.
Des Moines, IA
3/17/2011
We enjoyed a dinner last Saturday at Lidia's. Our group couldn't seem to decide on our dining option when urban spoon rolled the dice and showed us the way to Lidia's. All in our party were pleased by night's end. The menu is just a little pricey but the food was consistently good. I liked the pesto/hummus starter very much and our appetizer of fried Fennel and artichoke was unique and tasty. My husband's wild boar ravioli was excellent and the mushroom ravioli I had in my pasta trio was my favorite of the three. I found the presentation of the different pastas reminiscent of being served in Italy. The wine list was affordable and yummy.
All in all, not an over-the-top WOW, but very enjoyable. If we lived in KC, I would be a regular. -
Review from Anne W.
Kansas City, MO
10/31/2011
The food here is good enough to keep coming back despite the terrible service. On most recent visit the restaurant was 3/4 full and the ?manager at the front door made us stand in uncomfortable silence for several minutes before seating us. Gave no explanation as to "give me a moment" or "there will be a short wait"... Just stood there and played on the computer until we gave up and walked away. He finally decided to seat us just as we began ordering from the bartender in desperation. Now, back to the positives - really good food!! Try the pasta trio, for sure.
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Review from Erika D.
Kansas City, MO
2/19/2011
The next time you are yearning for a white table cloth meal, but a babysitter is out of the question, pack up your progeny and head to Lidia's in the Crossroads. Lidia's is an anomaly, a special occasion restaurant where you don't have to hide your children under the crisp white linens. Solicitous and knowledgeable wait staff - check. An adventurous menu and extensive wine list - check. Dramatic architecture and romantic ambiance - check. Children welcome - check.
Helmed by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich (whose cookbooks are prominently displayed by the front door), Lidia's serves up high quality Italian food in a unique location.
The converted freight house is an impressive space with soaring ceilings and enormous Chihuly style blown glass chandeliers. The bar is especially warm and inviting, with a roaring fireplace and massive glass jars filled with exotic looking pickled ingredients. In mild weather, sitting on the garden patio inhaling the scent of fragrant herbs, you can imagine yourself supping in Italy.
The interior designers did a wonderful job of creating intimate corners in a cavernous space. However, the sheer size of the room means that the noise level can get quite high. While that may bother a canoodling couple, it is a boon for the parent of a fussy baby (or a preschooler with the iPod turned up full blast!).
The ever changing pasta trio is a fun way to sample several different dishes. My recent pasta trio lunch included a velvety smooth butternut squash and zucchini ravioli; it was divine and could have easily passed for dessert. Every meal starts with a collection of sweet and savory breads, served with artisan butters. There may be hunks from a rustic ciabatta, petite sugar dusted scones, or slices from a dense fruit and nut loaf.
Tip: Sunday brunch offers a tempting spread and the price includes a regular sized entree. Those with a smaller appetite (or budget) can forgo the entree and fill up at the appetizer and dessert buffets for around $14.
Read more on my KC Blog, The Family Unit (see Profile for link). -
Review from Tracy L.
Littleton, CO
10/27/2011
Parents came for a visit and chose this restaurant. What a wonderful evening. The tables had white napkins at each place, when we sat down they exchanged my Mom's for a black one because she was wearing black pants so she wouldn't pick up lint. Cool huh?
Everything we ate was wonderful. Fried cheese appetizer (can't remember what it's called, Not mozarella sticks) was great. House Chianti was delicious. We each had a ceasar salad that was huge, but not included with most dinners. I had the pasta trio. Dad had lobster diablo. Low Carb boyfriend had lemon chicken (waiter was able to make great low carb suggestions and had this prepared without flour). Mom had oso buco. She was dissappointed that it was pork and not a more traditional veal. But this isn't a traditional menu as others have reviewed. And the pork is heritage pork locally sourced. Dessert was peppered pear with carmel ice cream and some rich chocolate thing.
If we wanted to go out for a splurge we would come back again. The whole experience was fabulous. And our waiter gave EXCELLANT service! -
Review from Molly K.
Kansas City, MO
1/12/2012
My family and I went to Lida's. We go there a lot on Saturdays. They have brunch on Saturdays. I liked our waitress. She was very happy and cheerful. First what you do is you order of the menu what you want as your main course and then you go up to the tables. On the tables are salads, soup, olives and fruit. The salads are different each Sunday or Saturday, but they always have their Caesar salad. They always have good soup and the olives are good. My sister loves the olives and she has them all the time. I like the fruit. In the fruit salad there are grapes, pineapple and apple. Most of the time the kind of apple in the salad are green apples. My mom gets the Salmone alla Griglia. It is Atlantic salmon fillet, grilled and served over gold potatoes and string beans, with a zesty mustard sauce. My dad, sister and I get the Pasta Tasting Trio. You are given three pastas to eat. If you are a pasta lover then you need to get it. After that you can go up to the desserts. Some of the desserts that they have all of the time are Tiramisu, Biscotti, Torte and Crostate. When you are heading out you could buy one of Lida's cook books or sauces if you wanted to.
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Review from Jeff L.
Kansas City, MO
2/7/2011
For Kansas City Restaurant Week, a friend and I decided to check out Lidia's for lunch. I have seen Lidia's show on KCPT many times and have heard many people rave about it. After our lunch, however, we both agreed that this was one of the most disappointing meals either of us have had.
Ambiance - Housed in an old railroad house, the physical setting of the restaurant is beautiful. The decor is a wonderful mixture of contemporary style and old world Italian charm and, combined with the high vaulted ceilings and large windows looking out over the Crossroads, create a stunning first impression.
Service - Throughout the meal, our waiter seemed relatively indifferent to our presence. He was no where in sight for large stretches of time and seemed more concerned with talking to the bartender than taking our order or bringing the check.
Food - We went to Lidia's on a Saturday afternoon during KC restaurant week and ordered off the restaurant week menu. The Lidia's restaurant week menu included a primi course and a secondi course, each with three options.
Before ordering, we received a basket that included a variety of artisan breads coupled with various butters. This was easily the highlight of the meal. There were numerous bread options that all paired wonderfully with the different butters. After that, the meal careened downhill.
For our primi course, we ordered the Frico with Shrimp and Scallions and the Fried Artichoke Hearts and Fennel with Remoulade. The food that eventually came out would have been more appropriate during happy hour at a sports bar than a restaurant that touts itself as the best Italian food in Kansas City. The Fried Artichokes tasted, well, fried. There was no hint of fennel and Lidia's version of Remoulade is apparently Hidden Valley Thousand Island dressing. The shrimp and scallions were nonexistent in the Frico. Fried burnt Asiago cheese, however, was plentiful.
While still recovering from the first course, the second course was brought to us. We ordered the Waygu Beef Cheek Ravioli with Rosemary Infused Sauce and the Pasta Trio. I will begin with the atrocity that was the Ravioli. The ravioli was overcooked and mushy. The only food item to compare the mysterious filling within this ravioli is blended BK Breakfast Sandwiches. Combine that with a broth of water and dissolved beef bullion cubes, and you get one of the worst things I have ever eaten. The Pasta Trio was mediocre and only saved by the fact that it provided some variety.
Summary - I don't know if Lidia's was just phoning it in on the Restaurant week menu or if we came on a bad day, but I cannot understand the discrepancy between the overall positive reviews I have heard about Lidia's and my own experience. I will certainly never return and would discourage anyone from going there. -
Review from HisHer R.
Liberty, MO
2/25/2011
His: one of the top Italian restaurants in town. I don't know anyone that wouldn't recommend it. It's very unique (not your standard spaghetti and meatballs).
Hers: fabulous Italian. The pasta trio changes everynight and never disappoints (they're always accomodating for making vegetarian changes). Gorgeous space, wonderful ambiance and great service. -
Review from Lindsay H.
Overland Park, KS
12/3/2011
Lidia's never disappoints. The duck gnocchi is as delicate and delicious as you would expect. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. A true treasure for Kansas City!
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Review from Jenni F.
Kansas City, KS
1/20/2011
Probably the best fine dining italian restaurant in Kansas City. Double date night was a great way to experience this place. A fabulous wine list, we had to have 2 bottles of the 2005 Borgonero. Started out with the sausage and apple frico, the polipo, and the apple and beet salad to share. The frico was warm and crisp on the outside, an original and very tasty starter. The polipo was the BEST cooked octopus I've ever had, very tender and meaty in texture. Loved the apple and beet salad for a sweeter balance to our beginnings.
Next, we all had the trio del giorno, which consisted of a bolognese, broccoli rabe, and the best cheese and pear ravioli. For all four of us, our favorite was the ravioli, a very unique yet delicious second course.
While the guys ordered the ever tender ossobuco, I had the lamb loin, and my friend the seafood soup. We all couldn't have had better entree's. My boyfriend, who works in a steakhouse and never had ossobuco, fell immediately in love with his main course. My lamb was very tender, but I would have to say the best part of my meal was the sauce mixed with the soft polenta and carrots. My friend's seafood soup was amazing, if you love seafood, like myself, definitely go with this dish, especially in the winter cold.
We finished with tiramisu, the biscotti misti with espresso ice cream, and the pear cobbler/tart. While my friends enjoyed their desserts (I did sneak a bite of each) I had a dessert wine, which was the perfect touch to my wonderful, overindulgent meal.
I highly suggest this restaurant, this is a great date night and special occasion place. The atmosphere was amazing, the service was right on, and the food was some of the best in Kansas City. Try everything, but if you can't...atleast get the Polipo! -
Review from Mary C.
11/29/2010
Mixed feelings for me on Lidia's. I expected to love the food and be ok with the atmosphere and instead I loved the atmosphere and was just ok on the food. I did think the table bread was amazing as well as the two spreads (one bean and one pesto hummus) that were served with it. I truthfully probably liked them too much and by comparison was underwhelmed with both my entrees and the bites I stole off my friends plates.
The restaurant is a re-done old train station or train depot of some sort and they did a great job with it. I wish more restaurants had the awesome feel of Lidia's and it really felt like you were out of the town and a fun hip place.
I have heard good things about the dessert but didn't get to try it. That might have pushed me to 4 stars but for now, I will stay at 3 -
Review from Shane P.
Pleasant Hill, MO
10/22/2010
I would like to commend my fellow Yelpers; it think they got it right. I went back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars on Lidias, but finally settled on 4 because Lidias gets more things right than wrong. Plus, when I waiver between 2 ratings, I try to give the business the higher of the two.
What's right:
* The pasta trio: specifically, the ravioli; Its fresh, it melts in your mouth. I couldn't get enough.
* Dessert: Really It's dessert, how could you go wrong? I had Torta di Cioccolata con Castagna. Can you say rich chocolate, caramel, brown sugar and ice cream? I don't usually order dessert, but this is a winner.
* Service: The waiter was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. I felt very welcome here.
What's wrong:
* I could have done with out the "SWAT Team" serving the pasta trio. When they showed up it was like locusts descending on a field. For such a quiet classy presentation, I thought this was a bit showy.
* Some of the pasta sauces were a little bland for my taste.
* The prices. Most dishes were $15-$25. By the time you add in your drink and dessert, it's over $30 per person. Maybe this is not pricey for you, but I tend to frequent restaurants one rung lower on the price ladder.
Takeaway:
Go ahead and go. Give it a try and see what you think. I think the food is good, the service is good, but it's a little pricey for my taste. 4 stars is fair IMHO. -
Review from Rich K.
Lee's Summit, MO
9/6/2010
I've seen Lidia's described as "one of Kansas City's best-kept secrets." I once knew a guy whose best-kept secret was that he contracted herpes when he was on a bus and a fat woman fell on him.
Visiting Lidia's will reveal the following secrets:
1) The service is terrible.
2) The food is overrated.
3) The prices are obscene.
My mother, who previously had positive experiences eating there, wanted to dine at Lidia's for her birthday, and I grudgingly obliged because I'm a wonderful, compassionate, beautiful human being recently ranked #1 by J.D. Power and Associates. Once we were seated, it took 30 minutes for our server to show up, as she apparently traveled from another dimension to get there. My mother ordered the pasta sampler and wine, while I ordered some type of dead cow meat thing.
After 30 minutes, the server finally returned with my mother's wine. It wasn't the wine she ordered, but hey, at least they brought a beverage of the same general category, as opposed to a cup of motor oil or Formula 409. Then they started scooping out wads of pasta samples to her, most of which she described as "very dry, disguised by way too many spices and thick sauce." Since my mother is 100% Italian, this makes her opinion 100% factual. Another 30 minutes passed by, my mother finished eating, and I'm still waiting for my food. Finally the server arrived with my steak (which I ordered to be cooked medium), leaking blood like a shanked hemophiliac. Perhaps this was my fault since I have this speech impediment that causes everything I order at restaurants to sound like the word "campylobacteriosis." She returned it to the kitchen and promised they would cook the steak correctly.
This process somehow took another 45 minutes. My mother, who had previously enjoyed Lidia's, had now realized what I had been telling her for years: it is a vile cauldron of despair and hopelessness! -
Review from June K.
New York, NY
Was on a KC BBQ tour when we needed a break. Friend suggested Lidia's pasta trio and to go during lunch as it would be less expensive. We walked over from hotel and checked out the restaurant the day before making reservations for lunch.
The decor was great, exposed brick walls combining traditional & contemporary. I ordered the day's pasta trio and my colleague had the stuffed ricotta and spinach cannelloni. Also ordered the polipo (octopus) salad. It was one of the best I've had outside of Italy. Perfectly seasoned and grilled tender with flavorful capers, olives, red onions with warm potatoes and fricassee salad. A definite must. My colleague never tried octopus before and loved it. Great, homemade bread, dipping condiments and great Caesar salad with was complementary with entree. My colleague had the soup of the day which was mushroom and barleywhich she enjoyed thoroughly.
I had the pasta trio. The parpadell with pulled pork/ sausage bolognaise was a bit salty but the butternut squash ravioli and frico with shrimp and scallions were delicious. But on the second serving, the ravioli was salty. Our waitress was really sweet cause when my colleague ordered a different pasta but had wanted to try a bit of the ravioli, she arranged for her to have a separate plate to get a taste.
The homemade lemonade was hardly sweetened but still refreshing. We were so full that we shared a tiramisu which was light and fabulous. Definitely one of the best tiramisu's I've had. Will now need to try her restaurants in NY!
