While historically known for its unique and masterful barbecue, Kansas City has been booming on the food front lately. Of course, there are fantastic steak houses, as well there should be. And yes, the barbecue is out of this world. However, there are plenty of new and lighter choices that expand on what people traditionally think of as Kansas City fare. The Leawood neighborhood has delicious, French-style bistros and killer burrito joints. Their many cafes offer delicious coffees and pastries, some with fantastic soups, sandwiches and salads. There are also great cultural choices like classic Italian, Chinese, Spanish and Mediterranean. With a flare for the new tucked into an older tradition, Kansas City is really expanding fast into the modern food scene.