I’m back home from Kansas City, if you didn’t know. The week before last I drove to Chicago and back for a wedding. I got back on Sunday, August 7th. On Monday, August 8th, I got right back in my truck and drove to Kansas City, Missouri — this time, for work.
Two members of our four-person team had enough Marriott points to be granted access to the Concierge’s Lounge, which meant all four of us spent quite a bit of time up on the 19th floor lounge. I don’t travel nearly enough anymore to earn the kind of points needed to access such lofty places, but it appears traveling with people who do earn those kinds of perks is enough to me to gain admittance. The lounge offers a pretty limited free breakfast (eggs, bacon, cereal and bread), free cans of soda and bottled drinks (water and juices), and rotating afternoon hors d’oeuvres (mostly containing cheese, crackers, and vegetables). The lounge’s vibe reminded me of the time I rode the train first class from Chicago to New York. The minute I flashed my first class ticket in Chicago’s Union Station, I was immediately whisked away into a separate, private waiting lounge full of free amenities and wireless Internet access. I was also addressed as “Mr. O’Hara” a lot, all because I bought a $130 train ticket. So while nobody referred to me as “Mr. O’Hara” while I was hanging out in the Marriott’s Concierge’s Lounge, I got that same feeling of hanging out in a secret clubhouse that the rest of you poor commoners are not allowed access to. Funny how special a free bottle of water and plate of quiche makes a customer feel.
The lounge also stocks a full bar. Lounge denizens are allowed to pour their own drinks, and charge whatever they drink to their room, all completely based on the honor system. This is probably why I have never been invited up to the Concierge’s Lounge before. Or most likely, ever again.
The coolest thing about the Concierge’s Lounge is the Concierge, a person (we met several) who talks to you and recommends local places. It’s kind of like if Google was a dude, and knew everything about the local area. Need to know where the nearest dry cleaners is? The Concierge knows. Need to know how far away something is? The Concierge knows that, too. Need a recommendation for a good, local restaurant? The Concierge knows them all.
Last week, our crew ate at Jack Stack BBQ, Winstead’s Steak Burgers, the Thai Place (that’s really its name), and Kona Grill (apparently no relation to the Kona Ranch, here in OKC). All four places were absolutely awesome. At Jack Stack’s, I had the grilled salmon salad and a GIGANTIC serving of fried mushrooms — actually, it was a serving of fried GIGANTIC mushrooms. Each mushroom was huge! Winstead’s Steak Burgers is apparently the place to go if you like burgers and fries, and they have a nice selection of shakes to go with them (the butterscotch malt was terrific). At Kona Grill I had the best Pad Thai I’ve ever eaten along with a side of Volcano Sushi that was also incredible — and no, that’s not just the three shots of Saki talking! Since I didn’t want Pad Thai two nights in a row, I opted for the Pineapple Fried Rice at the Thai Place. If you ever happen to eat there, just remember that when those guys say something is spicy, they’re not kidding.
With full bellies, we got our mission accomplished in Kansas City and made our separate ways back home on Friday. The 360-mile drive went rather quickly, thanks to an iPod full of podcasts and familiar music. I made it home in plenty of time to catch up on rest and sleep and head back to work to do it all over again.
It took me a bit to figure out the title was not just random letters. I thought the cat walked across your key board
KC used to have tons of Winstead’s locations, but chains have really cut that down. But yes, it’s very good. Like Steak n’ Shake, but better.
And when I talk about KC BBQ, St. Louisans just don’t understand.