Kansas City, MO

Blue Room
Features live jazz that ranges from locals to nationals; the atmosphere is very polished and the crowd is often sophisticated; call for calendar of events; entertainment always begins at 8p; call for calendar; $5 cover charge on Mon & Thu 5p-11p, Fri 5p-1a, Sat 7p-1a; 1600 East 18th Street connected to the American Jazz Museum; 816-474-2929; http://www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Gates Barbeque
One of the world’s great barbeque restaurants, known for its spectacular barbeque sauce and tender slabs of slow, brick-oven cooked beef and chicken; every meal is an experience here; the Gates have built one of Kansas City’s greatest successful family businesses; this location has the most original flava’: Sun-Thu 10a-12p, Fri-Sat 10a-1a; 1221 Brooklyn Street, 816-483-3880; plus several other locations in Kansas City; http://www.gatesbbq.com

Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
Also considered one of the world’s great barbeque restaurants – there’s a debate between them an Gates as to who is better; most major credit cards ok; daily 10a-9:30p; 1727 Brooklyn at 17th Street; 816-231-1123; other locations around Kansas City; http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com

Epicurean Phase II
A good lounge for socializing and dancing to R&B and Hip-Hop; Friday 9p-until, Saturday 9p-until; arrive early to partake of the delicious chicken wings; 8625 Troost Ave; 816-333-4541

Jardine’s
Some of the best jazz by regional and national acts in a classy setting; call for calendar of events; Tue-Thu 11a-2a, Fri-Sat 11a-3a; expect cover charge for national acts; 4536 Main Street; 816-561-6480; http://www.jardines4jazz.com

Peach Tree Buffet
The place to go for old-home, down-home cooking for the past 6 years, where food is prepared with a different twist with lots of spices, seasonings, and secret ingredients; items are served buffet style—collard greens, pork chops, fried chicken, yeast rolls, Mac ‘n Cheese, bread pudding with daily specials; Mon-Thu 11a–7:30p, Fri & Sat 11a–8:30p, Sun 11a–7p; Buffet is only $12; 6800 Eastwood Trafficway; 816-923-0099

The Levee
One of the City's favorite jazz nightspots for nearly fifty years; situated between Country Club Plaza and Westport Square; local jazz musicians Wed-Sat night downstairs, plus a sports bar upstairs with HD televisions; 16 West 43rd Street; 816-561-5565; http://www.thelevee.net

Kansas City, KS

Mad Jack’s Fresh Fish
Fried fish, shrimp, gumbo, tender frog legs and more at this small southern style restaurant, seats 24; major credit cards ok; Mon-Sat 10a-9p; 1318 State Ave; 913-371-3384