Let’s Eat: Gather ’Round these Group Dining Options

The Farmhouse

As the name suggests, The Farmhouse in the River Market is a farm to table, tip to tail, restaurant. Chef Michael Foust sources meat and produce from regional farms to prepare hearty seasonal food. The Chef’s Room (no fee, one-week advance reservation) seats up to eight guests and includes the chef’s surprise menu (one to seven courses, $25 to $85/person), tailored to dietary needs.

The restaurant can also seat groups (less than 20, reservation needed) in its main Gallery Room or lounge, where guests order from a limited regular menu or catered menu. Parties of 30 or more require room rental and catered menu.

Le Fou Frog

Based one block from The City Market, this French bistro has remained a vibrant venue for food, wine and attentive service for nearly 20 years. The menu offers classic fare such as lobster bisque and steak au poivre as well as tempting wild game and seafood dishes with French influences. Perfect for small groups of 12 or less in a dynamic space. Tailored menu available on request.
 

McCoy’s Public House/The Foundry

McCoy’s Public House, a brewpub, and its next-door sister space The Foundry are craft beer venues with upscale comfort food, including sandwiches, burgers, pizza and chicken and waffles. Perfect for a casual or business casual setting in the Westport dining and entertainment district. Both venues can host parties of 8-15 in the main seating area. The Foundry Loft can hold up to 15 people comfortably for cocktails and appetizers. The Plot Room is available for private buffet cocktail/appetizers parties for up to 20 people, and three different menu options for plated dinners for up to 30 people.

Novel

Located in the Westside neighborhood of downtown, Chef Ryan Brazeal’s Novel is known for modern American cuisine with ingredients and flavors that reflect global influences. The cozy restaurant is ideal for small gatherings (eight to 12) during the week, where guests can order from the Prixe Fixe or regular menu. On weekend nights, the restaurant only takes groups of no more than eight people. Novel can host up to 20 people for dining upstairs, Tuesday through Thursday, for a $90/person six-course Prixe Fixe menu that includes room rental fee for private parties.

The Rieger

This contemporary American restaurant and bar focuses on Midwest comfort food with ingredients sourced from the region. From the popular pork soup to pasta courses, hearty entrees and craft cocktails, The Rieger is a prime downtown destination with space available for small groups of 12 or less in the main dining room. The private dining room can seat up to 36 guests for a sit-down dinner or 45 people for a cocktail party. There is no charge for the private room, but 72-hour advance reservation is required. Large group custom menus are available for three to five courses with options for each course. Family-style menus can be prepared as well.

Grand Street Cafe

Located on the east edge of the Country Club Plaza, Grand Street Cafe has been a local mainstay for fine modern American cuisine for more than 20 years. The upscale restaurant can easily serve small groups and offers three private dining rooms for 16 to 100 people. Its event rooms can accommodate groups for up to 300 people.

Garozzo’s Ristorante
Founded in1989, this Columbus Park neighborhood restaurant is known for its classic Italian cuisine. Garozzo’s offers private dining lunch and dinner menu packages as well as their regular menu for small groups. The venue has three separate spaces available: The VIP (seats 32), the back room (seats 40) and the front room (seats 55). Minimum stipulations apply for large groups. Garozzo’s can also accommodate smaller groups in its dining room.
 

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue

Kansas City is famous for its world-class barbecue. Jack Stack offers two convenient locations for groups. The Plaza location can accommodate smaller groups of a dozen or less. The Freight House location in the Crossroads Arts District offers inside private dining (seats 50) and patio dining (seats 80) with no minimum number. No charge for either space. Private dining menu only. Rates vary for lunch, dinner, weekday or weekend.

Blvd Tavern

This hearty gastropub has a private room for groups (15-50 seated, up to 80 for cocktail reception). No fee for the room. Blvd Tavern provides all food and alcohol. Street and lot parking nearby. The twice-fried chicken wings are a highlight on the eclectic menu.

Affäre

Specializing in superb modern and traditional German cuisine, Affäre is able to serve both large and small groups. They charge no fee for the private dining room (seats 50, up to 70 standing) and outdoor courtyard (seats 25, up to 40 standing). Private dining is $45/person for a set three-course menu (tax, gratuity and beverages not included). For larger groups of 60-125 people, a restaurant buy-out is available ($45/person for a set 3-course menu; tax, gratuity and beverages not included).

Charisse

This downtown French restaurant offers two- and three-course lunch banquet packages for groups ($19-30/person, tax and gratuity not included). Appetizer, bottomless mimosa and wine packages are also available. Charisse also has several rooms available for private dining that include The Drawing Room (seats 22, $75 fee), The Walnut Room (seats 34, $150 fee) and the entire restaurant (seats 80). Food and beverage minimums apply.