Gourmet Restaurants in Lawrence, Kansas

When many people think of Kansas, tornadoes and the Wizard of Oz come to mind. Good food and culture are placed in the bottom drawer of the mind's filing cabinet of Kansas. However, surprisingly there exists a gem of gourmet culture. The city of Lawrence is its own microcosm and defies many commonly held notions of cities in Kansas.

This city of nearly 90,000 is home to the University of Kansas, which fosters much of the vibrant art and culture of the city. This youthful and active community provides the perfect atmosphere for unique, gourmet restaurants. Among its rolling hills-yes, hills in Kansas-Lawrence is home to almost any cuisine imaginable: Moroccan, Greek, Japanese, South American, Vietnamese, Italian, and all the local flavors you can swing a cat at.

Among the places unique to Lawrence is Free State Brewery, a Lawrence institution. Opened in 1989 as the state's first legal brewery since prohibition, its distinctive atmosphere celebrates Lawrence's fiery history in the Civil War. The handcrafted beers are good enough to rival breweries in Denver, Portland, and San Francisco. Reasonable in price, the food keeps bringing people back for more. There is always a crowd as students, locals, and people from all over the region come to partake in the Free State Brewery experience. Even the mayor can be seen stopping by for a beer or two.

Traveling down the city's cultural center called Massachusetts Street-or Mass Street as the locals call it-one can discover a plethora of locally owned restaurants. Just a block down from Free State is Teller's, which serves Italian cuisine. Built in an old bank, the place has vaulted ceilings with modern sculptures adorning the walls. Although the prices are a little steep, you get what you pay for. A treat for the taste buds, the food more than outweighs the price and is still a bargain for those accustomed to paying New York or west coast prices.

Just a few doors down on Mass St is La Parrilla. This South American cuisine is a local hotspot for students. With the inexpensive menu and casual dining, it is the perfect spot for a late-night meal while cramming for a final.

Near Lawrence's new urban lofts is a martini lounge called Eight One Five. Named after its address on 815 New Hampshire, this swanky and sophisticated lounge serves gourmet Italian pizzas and any martini ever described to a bartender. Rarely a wait, Eight One Five makes dining and drinking a pleasure.

Away from the Mass St. area is the chic Pachamama's. Dining there is more than just eating. The staff and chefs take every step to make dining an affair to remember. Their wine menu would placate even the most sophisticated wine enthusiast. They even offer wine tasting every Friday evening. So, forget about the prices and order a bottle of wine, some appetizers and enjoy the experience.

Aside from all the Wizard of Oz jokes that Kansans get ad nauseum, there actually exists a city with vibrant culture and gourmet restaurants in Kansas. This article has only examined a small sampling of the plethora of dining choices available. Only a 45-minute drive from Kansas City, MO, Lawrence is a perfect weekend getaway for those seeking a unique and sophisticated dining experience.