City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (816) 753-3565

Address: 201 W. 47th St. (Country Club Plaza)

Description: This Kansas City gem provides everything fine dining should be: beautifully prepared food served in a gorgeous setting. It was started by beloved, late restaurateur Cliff Bath, who named it for Harry Starker, a gregarious 15th-century British gourmand. Harry, it was said, often indulged in whiskey and wine before engaging in naked public jaunts, hence the phrase “stark naked.” New owner John McClure has imbued his own culinary style to the place, bringing in his love of Creole cooking honed in New Orleans. To wit, a grilled foie gras with Creole beignets or fried green tomatoes for starters. Entrees range from succulent steaks to pan-seared sea scallops on a bed of braised collard greens. Wine dinners and themed menus—like the annual heirloom tomato dinner—are legendary; be sure to ask about the next scheduled event. Starker’s wine cellar was one of the first in Missouri to earn a Grand Award from Wine Spectator. Lunch is more casual, with a swoon-worthy hamburger stuffed with cheese from a local farm. In fact, chef McClure is fastidious when it comes to supporting the Midwest’s excellent produce and meats. Reservations are a must here, and although casual attire is welcome, Starker’s is worth dressing for. Hear that, Harry?