Staycation

This was my first ever staycation and it was only 24 hours with an overnight at the Plaza Sheraton (not much sleep time though)… amazing what you can fit into 24 hours!  It all started with dinner at Beer Kitchen… where the fish and chips (truffle fries) are to die for.  The waiter recommend a pairing with New Belgium Belgo which proved to be a great choice.  Speaking of the waiter… he was the best… you know you have had a mutual dining experience when he says “it sure has been fun waiting on you”.

Bucky Covington and Casey James

Next stop, the Beaumont Club and a concert with Gloriana, BUCKY COVINGTON, CASEY JAMES and James Wesley, .  The concert was much too short and Casey was battling a migraine.  Even so, there was much foot tapping fun.  I was pleasantly surprised with the Gloriana performances, their music will be on my Christmas list.

Back at the Sheraton, we had a nice view of a small portion of the Plaza Lights… the room and staff rivaled anywhere I have stayed before.  Thank you Plaza Sheraton!

Then… breakfast at Room 39.  I had myself prepared for steak and eggs benedict which turned out to be a Saturday only offering.  When I have myself prepared for something specific…nothing else seems to measure up, but it was a nice “warm” breakfast.

First Friday would not be a First Friday without a stop at an estate sale (at least one).  This large container of sea shells caught my eye, but did not come home with me… I simply found the patina on the container and the color and texture of both the shells and container appealing.

Irma Starr, in conjunction with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, is offering an angel redware ornament.  The proceeds of ornament sales are going to the Joplin, Missouri relief fund.  Irma is signing the my “For Joplin” ornament in the photo.

The usual First Friday stop at the West Bottoms antique market, Bottom’s Up, was very much a festive event.  Seriously the prices at this place are insane, but it is always an “experience” to see the creativity that people display in their offerings and presentations.  One of the highlights was the complimentary sangria… white wine and brandy over pears, apples and white grapes.  (Why didn’t I get a photograph of that glass container?… it was beautiful.)   First Friday dinner is always Manny’s on the Boulevard… nothing like running into an entire table of family after having one too many margaritas!

Possibly dessert at Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates has become an every First Friday stop as well?  Maybe I have been too engrossed in selecting my chocolates, during previous visits, to notice the back room through the glass… but it is a sight to behold… chocolates EVERYWHERE!

It was a beautiful evening with temperatures in the fifties, so extremely nice for walking through the galleries… this one happens to be the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center… especially enjoyed the work of Kari Heybrock and Courtney Wasson.

the studios… pictured is the studio in SPYN, where we were greeted by our waiter from Room 39 earlier in the day… it’s a small world!

… and should every studio have a basketball goal?!! Wonder if the artists at Archival Designs are aspiring BB stars as well?  There was a sink here to-die-for.  It looked like an antique crock bowl cut for plumbing… maybe someday!

and enjoying the art in almost every nook and cranny of the Crossroads Arts District.

After making the fifteen minute drive to home, thoughts are toward all of the wonderful things there are to do in Kansas City… why wait for the next First Friday?!!

UPDATE:  8:04 PM  I just did a taste test of these two CE Chocolates…

Venezuelan Dark – Dark chocolate ganache of 70% cacao from Venezuela

Madagascar – Dark chocolate ganache made with 64% cacao from Madagascar

Immediate thought is Venezuelan wins, but I need to eat two or three more of each before I can decide for sure!! ;)

Sunday Breakfast

Single Malt Scotch – Dark chocolate ganache infused with 12 year old single malt scotch

Should have left the port wine fig in the store and bought another of these… a definite go to chocolate, especially for breakfast. :)

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~ by kcjewel on December 3, 2011.