Tour Jefferson City with this progressive dinner.
Bar Vino
Whether it’s whiskey or wine you’re craving, BarVino has a beverage fit for the occasion, making them No.1 for CITY’s Best Cocktail Selection, Best Wine Selection, and Best Bar. Not only does BarVino have a vast variety of spirits, they also use fresh-squeezed, premium juices and flavorful garnishes, using the best ingredients and thoughtful recipes which allows their bartenders to craft something special and memorable. Although this cocktail may have you questioning its contents, the “Fig Get About It” is a fan favorite with its unique spin on an old-fashioned. For the wine drinkers, staff tests 95% of wines in the bar with the goal to make their offerings the best representation for each kind of wine at a particular price range. This makes it possible for patrons to have the confidence in selecting any wine off the shelf, making for a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar
Buffalo Chicken Wontons
Every weekday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Restaurant is the place to be. They take the title of CITY’s Best Place for Happy Hour and CITY’s Best Appetizers with great drink specials and $5 select appetizers. Share a few snacks like the Buffalo chicken wontons, filled with pockets of Big Whiskey’s famous buffalo chicken dip, and then finish them off with gorgonzola cheese crumbles and ranch dressing dip. You also can’t go wrong with Big Whiskey’s nachos and triple dip. These nachos are made with fresh tortilla chips piled high with melted cheddar cheese, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce, then topped with taco sauce, sour cream, jalapeños, and your choice of chicken or beef. Can’t decide which app to try first? With the triple dip, you can try the Buffalo chicken dip, white queso spinach dip, and fresh salsa with a plate of warm tortilla chips.
Madison’s Cafe
Appealing to a broad range of tastes and discerning palates, Madison’s Cafe takes the No. 1 spot in Jefferson City to grab a delicious salad. While each is a crowd-pleaser, a few stand out. The tart and tangy house salad, the savory combination (and combination supreme) salad, and the classic Caesar salad are amongst the most popular and pair perfectly as an app, entrée, or side. Like the rest of the menu, Madison’s salads are continually updated, reflecting local seasonal availability and original, imaginative fare. Try the unique hearts-of-palm salad that omits the lettuces altogether and instead tops artichoke hearts, red and green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions with red wine vinaigrette and a dash of Parmigiana. Or try one of their seasonal salads, like the Caprese made with scrumptious locally grown tomatoes from the local D&D Main Street Market & Farm, fresh sweet basil from Madison’s seasonal herb garden, and imported mozzarella di bufala from Italy, all drizzled with the restaurant’s own balsamic vinegar reduction. To top it off, literally, each dressing is exclusive to Madison’s, as almost all are made from scratch with their own proprietary recipes. In addition to garnering a win for CITY’s Best Salad, Madison’s has also been recognized as this year’s Best Restaurant, Best Place for a Date Night, Best Place for Business Lunch, Best Appetizers, and Best Outside Dining.
Ecco Lounge
The secret is out: At ECCO Lounge, you can never go wrong with a good burger. Named CITY’s Best Burger and CITY’s Best Place Only Locals Know, this is the perfect place to get a savory meat patty stacked with a variety of toppings as your main course. With a long list of unique burgers on the menu, each visit will bring something new to your taste buds. One local favorite is the cowboy burger. Cooked to order, the cowboy burger can help cure those backyard barbecue cravings, as it’s piled high with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, a giant onion ring, and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce.
Arris’ Bistro
There’s no better ending to a great meal than a sweet, decadent dessert. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and fruity or rich and chocolatey, the selection at Arris’ Bistro takes the cake (pun fully intended). Voted No. 1 for CITY’s Best Desserts, Arris’ Bistro is an exceptional place to find treats like homemade baklava swirls. A pastry with paper thin layers, this desert is filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey. But that’s not the only treat you’ll find in Arris’ dessert counter. You’ll also find other highly enjoyable items such as marshmallow cookie dough chocolate cake, lemon berry mascarpone, and Oreo cheesecake.
