Kansas City Missouri... oh how I love thee

At the beginning of August, I had the pleasure of travelling to Kansas City Missouri for work with a great friend of mine.

You can't go wrong in Kansas City  - the sights, the sounds and the food!  After a stop at the World Market to pick up a case of various wines - we headed out for lunch.

Lunch stop - The Beer Kitchen.  http://beerkitchenkc.com/
The food was pretty good and pretty unusual!  I would suggest a stop in - especially for the beer selection!

Dinner Spot - one of my favorites in Kansas City - Lidia's! www.lidias-kc.com

My favorite off the menu:

LIDIA'S TRIO DEL GIORNO

• Insalata "Cesare" alla Lidia

Pasta Tasting

• Every day we offer a sampling of seasonal, daily-made fresh and filled pastas, imported Italian dry pastas, as well as risotto and polenta dishes. Your plate will be refilled as often as you like by servers carrying pans of freshly cooked pasta through the dining room. Your server has sampled today's selection and will describe them for you.
• A Selection from Our Dessert Menu

Prix Fixe $29.50

The trip was too short but the food was great!

Half Moon Bay California

I had the pleasure and privilege to travel to Half Moon Bay California for business - July 21-24, 2011.  For those of you unfamiliar with the area - Half Moon Bay is located about 20 miles south of San Francisco.  It is a sleepy little coastal town known for its plant nurseries and pumpkin patches.  If travelling to the area - check the weather - it will not be what you think.  While the rest of the country was under a Heat Advisory - I enjoyed temperatures ranging from 55-62 degrees.  As Mark Twain said - "The Coldest Winter I ever spent was a summer in Northern California..."

My Take:  Would I personally vacation to Half Moon Bay - probably not.  And I do not mean that as a negative comment.  My vacations usually consist of a little more activity and adventure.  Half Moon Bay is a great location to do absolutely NOTHING!  If you are looking to escape - this is your place.  Enjoy the ocean, enjoy the weather, enjoy the quiet and enjoy a good book. 

My Stay:  I stayed at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay.  Wonderful resort - right on the water.  They had a great spa and workout facility.  The staff was extremely pleasant.  The Fire Pits were great fun!  I would highly recommend this resort!

The resort in surrounded by the Half Moon Bay Golf Links - two courses - the Old Course and the Ocean Course.  The courses will be a challenge but it is truly a gift to play if you enjoy the game.  I have not been on a course quite like this!

My Eats:  I had a chance to sample two local restaurants - Sam's Chowder House and Mezza Luna.  Let's start with Sam's... The Clam Chowder is the best I have ever had!  I went back for seconds!  The atmosphere and scenic view - was wonderful!  I would definitely go back!  http://www.samschowderhouse.com/

Mezza Luna was ranked #2 on Tripadvisor.  The service was less than stellar (not rude or bad - just extremely slow) - but the food was fantastic!  Unusual interpretations of traditional favorites!  http://www.mezzalunabythesea.com/

I was also told to try Pasta Moon but it was booked out the entire length of my stay - must be good!

Overall - Would I go back...?  I would stay a day or so but I would not plan a lengthy vacation here.  If you are travelling the coast of California - definitely stop in!