PARLOR, KC - A SNEAK PEEK

Are you planning a hot new date night? Or looking for a spot to enjoy a weekend meal? Or how about a night with the girls? But you as a foodie, often do not agree with the food choices of either your date or your favorite girls. Do not worry! There's Parlor to your rescue. Two bars, 7 different restaurants, a floor plan resembling a home straight out if HGTV, all in the middle of the Crossroads Art District. Presenting to you, Parlor, the coolest place to spend your weekends in. Parlor opens to the public on Sept 21st 2018. 

I was invited for the soft opening of Parlor last weekend, and needless to say, I had a great time. I might have also been one of the last few to leave the party, it was that good. If you know me, you know that we love trying out new places to eat and I am forever a champion of KC food scene. When the invite read, that I could party with my whole family, it did seem interesting. We went as a family of three and we had a blast.

Everything is good with Rose! The evening began with their signature cocktail - Tequila Rose. It tasted even better than it looked. And it looked beautiful. Parlor,  is a collection of Chefs, who have come together to advance the concept of what a restaurant should be. You can take your pick from Pizza to Korean, from Scandinavian to Turkish-Yucatan fusion, from Nashville Hot Fried Chicken to hearty Sandwiches. Their aim is to create a set of diverse culinary concepts paired with unique cocktails and craft beers and celebrate it all with an eclectic atmosphere under one roof. 

With my cocktail in my hand, it was time to explore the huge space. Parlor is divided into two floors. We are in the market looking for a new house, the tour of Parlor was all about home decor inspiration for us. The main floor is divided into a large living room, a study, and a den. There are beautiful murals on each floor which are so awe-inspiring.

I am a foodie out and out, but I was so busy staring at the beauty of it all, that I had to be reminded of trying out the food too. The top floor has another living room and four more unique restaurants. Drawing inspiration from its neighborhood, the Crossroads Art District, Parlor aims to create a space, which is comfortable and trendy for people to relax and socialize while enjoying great food from all walk of life.

It is so hard to pick our favorites when all 7 are equally wonderful. So I shall try you to as many as I can to help you chart our culinary journey when you are at Parlor.

We started off with Yaki-Ya, where I am guilty of overeating. Chef Patrick Curtis, of the much loved Shio Ramen, brings his coolest joint in town. We started off with Yakitori Chicken and Yakitori Shishito Peppers. Then followed up with OkonoMiyaki - Osaka style, and finally the amazing Yakisoba Bowl.  

I have been to Iceland recently so it was interesting to find a restaurant which offered Scandivaian Street Food. Presenting to you Vildhaust, from the owners of Swedish food destination Klubb Kolkstorm, in KC. We started off with Curried Korv and Swedish Potatis Korv. The drinks they had on offer were so interesting, to say the least. still cannot get over their Coffee Lemonade, which is a must try, once you are there. 

Next stop was at Karbon. Chef Rachel Rinas shows you her first solo venture after her time at Jarcoho and Local Pig. She creates a fusion of Yucatan and Middle Eastern flavors which was something very unique even to a seasoned foodie like, who has eaten her way around the world. We started off with Costillas Pibil(traditional Yucatan style roast pork), Chicken Empanadas, and Turkish Elote(Grilled corn on the cob with mayo, zata, queso fresco.

Sandwiches from Farm to Market Sandwich Co , and Pizza , Kimchi Pancake from Sura Eats, and Canolis from Providence Pizzeria co, and Nashville Hot Fried Chicken from Mother Clucker were also noteworthy.

 Parlor is surely on my list for weekend destinations. It might not be the first food hall in the KC metro area, but is surely the trendiest and the classiest. And do go early and get some golden hour photos, on the amazing terrace overlooking the Crossroads Art district. Thank you Parlor and TKG agency for the invite.