BEST PLACE TO DINE AFTER 10 P.M.
It's not true that K.C. closes up after 10. The best place to go, thus winning the Gold, is the 54th Street Grill & Bar with five locations north of the river, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and coming to Independence Square. This casual dining and drinking establishment offers its 100+ menu items until midnight. The Silver goes to Tanner's Bar & Grill, with eight locations all over town and solid bar food, including scrumptious cheese smothered French fries for the non-cholesterol challenged. The first time Bronze winner is Chubby's, appropriately named and located on Broadway as well as Independence Avenue.

BEST MARTINI
You might not think this is an important category, but Ingram's drinkers readers know better. It must be icy cold, beautiful to hold, and many varieties sold. The Gold winner is The Velvet Dog pool tables, bocce court and all, located on East 31st Street. It serves 16 special crystalline beauties, not including the traditional or the ones they'll make up on the spot. A new winner of the Silver is Grand Street Café, whose 15
special martinis (plus the regulars) and their big four-ounce portions make them a frequent choice. Monday nights are special with $5 martinis and a jazz band as well. JJ's is next for the Bronze, with their concoctions almost as popular as their wines.

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Good grief, good grub! For the third year in a row, Grand Street Café won the honor of the Gold. Lunchers love a place where expectations are continually exceeded and the food is fresh and innovative, served by a friendly, personable staff. Our readers also like great meat, and so chose Plaza III-The Steakhouse for the Silver. Who thought meat loaf and the best hash browns in the world could be gourmet items? Half the Bronze award goes to McCormick & Schmick's, well beloved for its extensive fresh fish menu-but the salads and sandwiches are great here, too. The tie for Bronze goes to The American Restaurant, where guests descend a sweeping staircase into the dining area and floor-to-ceiling banks of windows offer a panoramic view of downtown Kansas City.

BEST BARBECUE
Yeah, maybe a few other cities claim barbecue as their own, but Ingram's readers know who and what they like. They like Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue the best for the coveted Gold. Known for their stack of onion rings and tasty corn bake as well as their lamb ribs, the Martin City restaurant has expanded to Overland Park and downtown as well. Winning the Silver is Gates & Sons, whose five locations have made famous the immediate "May I help you?" that greets each visitor. Another place with sauce that's all over the country now, is KC Masterpiece Barbecue and Grill who garnered the Bronze for its delicious meats, beans, and fries with gravy.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS
The Plaza III takes yet another award, this time the Gold, as the place to take visitors. It just seems like Kansas City — home-grown, not pretentious, and delicious. Excellent service and attention to detail complement fine food and refined steakhouse interior. The most beautiful restaurant in town, The American, wins the Silver. This is the place to show off the best of Kansas City, and the piano player adds background cache. Lidia's takes the Bronze with its innovative Italian menu and distinctive interior.

BEST WINE LIST
The oenophiles who read Ingram's (and there are many) selected JJ's once again for the Gold. With a list of over 1,500 different varieties; 22 exceptional ones by the glass, and expert help should you need it, JJ's wine selection has been trumpeted far beyond KC. Starker's Reserve receives the Silver honor. One may dine Tuesday through Saturday surrounded by approx. 16,000 bottles of wine looking out upon the Plaza. The Bronze goes to The American where the excellent sommelier always has a story about the wine and a choice sure to please the most discriminating taste buds.

BEST SEAFOOD
How does a city stuck in the middle of the country get good fish? No problem says the Bristol Bar & Grill, which once again triumphs with the Gold, due to the freshest seafood in town and Chef Dan Uche's captivating specials — not to mention the hot biscuits you can't get enough of no matter how often they come round. The Bristol has brought back Sunday live jazz and happy hour. The Silver goes to McCormick & Schmick's on the Plaza, whose delectable seafood entrees also continually win awards. The Bronze belongs to the Savoy Grill this year, a true KC classic, downtown since 1903 and the first restaurant here known for its lobster.

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
It's a refined group who brunch regularly, and they've again chosen the Bristol in Leawood with its newly revamped and still sumptuous brunch selections for the cherished Gold. It's a 20-year tradition there and well worthy of the recommended reservations. Going for the Silver again is the Grand Street Café whose broad menu can please the pickiest palate and whose chatter level makes the whole place seem like a happening. The Bronze goes to Benton's Steak and Chop House in Westin Crown Center, a new contender this year, for their awesome buffet brunch, including many recipes from the old Trader Vic's and inventive entrees which continually change.

BEST BREW PUB
For the third straight year, the 75th Street Brewery captures the Gold for its home brew, its tasty and affordable meals, and its convivial atmosphere. The Waldo location brings in the regulars as well as first-timers and Thursday and Sunday nights have musical entertainment. After tying last year, the River Market Brewing Company reached the Silver due to its delicious home brews and tasty bar food. Its location in the historic Gillis Opera House in the River Market right on 5th and Walnut makes it a handy spot. Barley's Brewhaus, with two spots in the 'burbs, wins honors for the Bronze.

MOST ROMANTIC
Atmosphere, privacy, music, discreet waiters all help make up the right atmosphere for a tête-a- tête. The Raphael prevails for the Gold with its European setting, elegant tables, and quiet ambiance. The American Restaurant receives the Silver, its modern approach to wood and glass and its view over the city making it a popular byronic spot. Two restaurants double up for the Bronze: Skies in the Hyatt Hotel can even have a dizzying effect on young (or old) love and E.B.T's elegance and politeness to even prom goers has endeared it to many kindling, or rekindling, a flame.

MOST ECLECTIC
When you're looking for somewhere a little different, a little unusual, first try Metropolis American Grill say Ingram's readers. They voted the Gold award to this Westport restaurant whose casual, urban flair and imaginative American food sets it apart from the crowd. Shiraz on the east end of Southwest Boulevard captures the Silver, for both its food — continental with Mediterranean influences — and atmosphere. The Bronze belongs to not-yet-two-year-old Zin, a highly individualistic restaurant serving contemporary American food with Asian, French, or Italian influences. The foie de gras here makes you forget the poor goose's plight.

BEST OUTDOOR DINING
The Classic Cup on the Plaza and in Westport wins the Gold, its sidewalk location (Westport) or off-parking lot (Plaza) relaxed but imparting a touch of elegance. The Grand Street Café, with its fence-enclosed area, herb garden, and blissful serenity, wins the Silver. Yia Yia's, another fine restaurant from the folks at PB&J, offers outdoor dining for those on the Kansas side and shares the Bronze with the Cheesecake Factory. Japengo's also made a big impression on readers with its patio on Ward Parkway and garnered its share of votes. The restaurant has since been replaced by Baja 600.

BEST CIGAR BAR
Even if the big craze is over, theres still nothing like a good cigar. So say its devotees, anyway. And where you smoke it without feeling like a pariah is important. So go first to Harry's Bar and Tables right in the middle of Westport say Ingram readers, to whom they granted the Gold, and puff in peace. The Silver prize goes to the appropriately named Cigar Box at 15th and Grand, which serves food and drinks and even has a walk-in humidor. The Bronze is granted to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, so be forewarned.