DowntownKC.net

3 new businesses are open at 412 Delware.

• Bella River Market
• Hair Spray Cafe
• Eljays River Market

I’ve been to Eljays a couple times, and it’s great to have another coffee shop (with free wi-fi) in the area.

In the short time Raglan Road has been open, I’ve had two experiences there. The first was a friday evening, or maybe saturday morning, things got a bit hazy ;). The size of this pub was the first thing that struck me, it’s huge! I especially enjoyed the traditional irish decor as well as the layout which features three levels of dining, and a large open bar area alongside a stage for the performers. The bartenders were prompt & friendly, and the atmosphere was busy, but calm.

My second experience was this afternoon when I went there for dinner. I ordered the chutney burger which was unlike any burger I’ve had before, but it was fantastic. My girfriend ordered the steak strip salad and soup, which was equally as good. The menu is limited for the next month or two until they have a chance to expand it. Dinner for two along with two pints of Guiness was $40 + tip, which is about average for dining downtown.

The only problem I had with Raglan Road was absence of TVs, which unfortunately can be an issue for me considering St Patrick’s Day always falls during the same weekend as the conference basketball tournaments or the opening round of the NCAA tournament. As fun as it would be to celebrate St Patty’s day at Raglan Road, I think my time might be limited there during March because of this.

In all, I thought it was a great atmosphere, good food, very friendly staff, and a decent price. I look forward to going there sometime when the band and dancers are there.

Comments? Share them on the Raglan Road page.

KCPowercat posted a nice list on the KCRag forums of new businesses applying for liquor licenses that will hopefully be opening in the near future.

Chipotle - 1370 Main (I know this is in P&L but this is the first “in district” liquor license I’ve seen so thought I’d list it)
Cheeseheads - 1616 Grand
Cupini’s - 25 E 12th
G Spot Rock Bar - 423 Southwest Blvd.
Jam Central Station - 1522 McGee
Jayhawk Bar & Grill - 1915 Main
Madrigall - 1627 Oak
Paddy O’Quigley’s - 100 E. 20th
Studio - 1118 McGee
The Friend of the River - 1100 Walnut

Also mentioned in that thread. John’s Big Deck has applied for a 3am application, and Bo Ling’s is opening in the City Market. Speaking of the City Market, The Buzz is going to announce the next “Buzz under the stars” concert Tuesday at 8am, pre-sale on Wednesday, and public sale on Saturday. They talk of this show like it will blow away the other two shows this summer (The Killers and Incubus). So get ready!

Yet another pizza place was announced for the crossroads area.

Pizza in the Crossroads (KC Star)

Pizza in the Crossroads

Rob Dalzell, founder of 1924 Main and Souperman, is about to open a third concept in the Crossroads Arts District.

Pizza Bella, a neighborhood Neapolitan pizza place, will use all Italian ingredients and a wood-fueled oven to get certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Naples, Italy. The dine-in and carry-out operation at 1810 Baltimore Ave. is scheduled to open by early September. It is named after Dalzell’s 14-month-old daughter, Isabella.

“It’s always been a dream for a pizza place,” Dalzell said. “I know I can make a killer pizza, and I wanted to have a place dedicated to it.”

This makes three pizza places in the same block.
Pizza Bella (1810 Baltimore)
SPIN! (opposite 1810 Baltimore)
Art of Pizza (1800 Baltimore)

Hey! There’s no such thin as too much pizza. Even if one of those fails, there’s still two left, which is two more than the area has right now. I ate at Spin! out in Overland Park a few years back and thought the food and the concept was great. It’s the kind of place you can bring a bottle of wine to and they have a corking fee.

Now… if we could only get an Original Pizza somewhere north of Johnson County.