Exceptional. A true farm-to-table experience delivered with a high level of service and culinary…read moreexpertise. The five-course meal, crafted by a remarkably talented chef using a variety of techniques from their farm, was beautifully executed in a surreal indoor-outdoor setting. Every dish was spectacular, and the beverage pairings were creative and perfectly curated. The owners' labor of love is evident from start to finish, making this a true gem in the Lawrence/Lecompton area. Our guests from Leawood, Kansas said they would gladly make the drive back anytime to experience another one of these magical culinary evenings.

We heard about Burning Barrel and Origin Restaurant from a friend and quickly booked tickets online…read morefor one of their first weekends of service. We were not disappointed. We arrived on the farm (after our Ford GPS took us a wonky route along a few miles of dirt road--so make sure you stay on paved roads and you won't have trouble--I was told by Kristin, our host and one of the owners, that Google Maps has no problem). I have to share our experience in detail because I feel we discovered a new must-visit experience in the KC area! We arrived at the 30-acre farm, parked in the field, and were greeted by our server who welcomed us warmly and offered us an arrival cocktail to sip while we explored the truly lovely grounds, pond, and nearby goats. After our leisurely stroll, we returned to the dining pavilion and found our seats at the gorgeous (and massive!) live-edge dining table along with a menu specifically for this weekend. Our gracious host Kristen and server brought out our first drink pairing, a minted lime seltzer that was refreshing and light. Our first course arrived--Blue Jade cornbread with arugula, sweet pea salad, and chicken liver paté. The cornbread was unlike any I had before and was absolutely delicious. The sweet pea salad was literally bursting with flavor the peas were so fresh and the chicken liver paté out of this world. Such an interesting flavor profile and combination. The next beverage pairing arrived a short time later as we enjoyed the perfect evening, a blackberry purple basil shrub. This drink was also delicious and refreshing (and save that blackberry for last--what a treat!). The Mangalista pig, we were told, is the "wagyu of pork" and the crisp, tasty, marbled pork chop was excellent. It was served with a beet "kimchi" with fennel root and a sheep cheese dumpling that was creamy and flavorful. Finally, our coffees were served and a dessert of yellow squash cake, lemon honey ice cream with mulberry compote was brought to us. Again, the dish was original, delicious, and a perfect ending to our meal. We can't wait to come back and have try a new menu in the future. Such a perfect evening and the chef has such an exciting vision for hyper-local farm-to-table flavors and dishes.

AMAZING FOOD! WOW everything we had was so good! Would 100% be back. Wasn't blown away by any of…read morethe drinks, but the food oh my gosh!!! We sat outside and it was just lovely!

Such a fun experience. Portions are large, plan on sharing and order less than you think is needed…read moreunless you plan on taking home. Had the chicken fatteh and my only complaint was the flatbread. Seems it was added as a filler to make the dish larger. Great space, spices, prompt attention and interesting cocktails. Will definitely try again.

Visited Arterra for an event recently--what a beautiful space. It feels uniquely Lawrence in the…read morebest way: modern, inviting, and full of personality. I was just a guest, so I can't speak for the hosts, but from where I stood, everything was spot on. The space was open, easy to navigate, and had that rare mix of elegance and comfort. The food and beverages? Fabulous--no rubber chicken here. If I were planning an event, this is exactly the kind of place I'd want. Stylish, spacious, and effortlessly well-run. Arterra nails it.

On Saturday evening, I attended a wedding here and was beyond impressed with the level of…read moreattentiveness, friendliness of staff, gorgeous decor and delicious food. The inside was elegant and tastefully decorated. They allowed the bride and groom to put their own touches on the wall by hanging engagement pictures and decorations. The ceremony was outside and I was surprised by how comfortable the chairs were. I also appreciated the shade tents they put up to block the sun for the guests. Dinner, drinks and appetizers were delicious. The staff came around to make sure you had everything you needed without being too pushy. This would be a great place to have an sort of event or wedding. I really enjoyed being a guest.

Love this place!! Super clean, comfy chairs, free Wifi for parents while their kids run wild and…read moreget all their energy out. Perfect for toddler age through about 9 or 10 years old. They also have a full menu of snacks, food and drinks.

Wonderful stop for kids and adults alike! Kids can play…read morewhile parents enjoy a coffee/watch the KU game on one of their tvs

I was the best man for a wedding that included a reception at the Cider Gallery. Not only was the…read moreatmosphere and overall look of the gallery beautiful but also, the venue manager was a hard-working, level-headed individual. The surrounding art work adds to the beauty of this venue near one of the most popular streets in Lawrence, Mass St. Despite some post wedding drama, the manger was quick to act and competent in working to make the reception as memorable as possible. I would highly recommend this venue for business meetings, receptions, or just a casual day viewing some impressive art.

Beautiful gallery and attended an artist reception. The space is gorgeous--bright, clean, and very…read morewell laid out. It feels welcoming the moment you walk in, and the artwork is presented in a way that lets you really appreciate it. I only give it three stars because there was a live band and the music was so loud that it completely drowned out any meaningful conversation. The artist was trying to talk to patrons about the work, but you could barely hear them over the noise. For an art reception, I think the volume should be low enough to actually enjoy the experience--not overpower it. The other problem was the purchasing experience. When I wanted to buy a piece (which was priced at the kind of level where you're spending thousands), the process was oddly inconvenient. I had to stand in line at the bar, and while the staff was multitasking making me feel rushed and an inconvenience. It felt like hospitality and customer care took a back seat to everything else. I'd love to come back because the gallery itself is fantastic--but I hope they reconsider the noise level and make the buying process more focused and respectful for serious collectors.

I was able to enjoy this venue in downtown LFK for Brewfest! This venue has so much to offer…read more From the little individual rooms that look like town shops, to fountains, to a riverside Deck. Large space that even with the mass of people and all the booths set up to get drinks at didn't feel crowded.

We went to a Fabulous event planned by KU's Hall Center for Humanities. It was centered around…read moreHalloween but with an educational flair. And a bar!! They featured food by Latch Key Deli which looked delicious but we opted for a drink and wandering around. This event is annual so you have to be ready in the fall. See attached photos of the fun stuff and we didn't even see it all.

If you love the big open sky surrounding Lawrence, KS, and the sound of crickets, cows and a…read morepicturesque Midwestern night, you're going to see the appeal of the Historic Taylor Barn. That was our thinking when we booked this for our wedding in 2015. This beautiful working farm, although a bit more on the rustic side than some photos would have you believe, really is a place where you can breathe deep, relax and make for a wonderful evening. Being in the event world myself, I was less than thrilled with some of the steps leading up to it when we booked this venue. They are friendly folks, but there was a sense of a vaguery around a lot of things. We had to have every vendor "approved" by them, but the responses were slow. In the wedding planning process, things move so quickly that you better nail down that photographer, caterer, etc. and not have to wait and follow up continuously. Something that bugged me as my stress was H-I-G-H that final week before the wedding was that a big time cold front and high chance of rain were forecasted to move in. With over a week's notice I requested that they go ahead and get the heaters and tents that we'd talked about as our agreed upon contingency plan. No response. Followed up, and by then it was too late to get all that we needed, even though we were still four days out. They had told me 48 hours would be sufficient notice so I was very disappointed. Thank god it didn't rain as forecasted! She also quoted me pretty high on the heat lamps and I grew weary. I called the rental company (Sunflower Rental) myself and found that the total price I was quoted was bumped up to nearly double what they actually charge. So I could've just ordered these myself and saved a lot of money, and there was no explanation for the upcharge except that I called them on it. Now the wedding day was great, they were accommodating to the caterers, they dressed up and were around but not too present, and were just overall great. I chalk it up to the fact that everyone EVER who is in the wedding business realizes the cash grab that it can be and that a few things here and there fell in that category. I think this would probably be the same for a lot of venues, I just wish there had been a bit more transparency from the get go. Also not a fan of the $300 clean up charge, that's bogus. Thankfully as the bride and groom we were not on the hook and our family stepped up to do this. Our wedding was beautiful, and the weather cooperated. It was crisp, they had a bon fire stoked for us, and the historic barn (built in 1887 I think?) and I was thrilled with the way everything worked out.

From the owner: Wedding/reception venue Rehearsal dinners…read moreAnniversary celebration Photo opportunities

Sure, most think of it as a hotel first, but The Oread is way more than the sum of just its rooms…read more Those are jammed every weekend throughout the school year and possibly the summer. I live less than a mile away so unless I decide to do a getaway I can walk to I may never actually be a hotel guest. However, I have plenty of insight into the venue to offer that most won't. It's part public space that hosts all kinds of corporate and school functions, weddings and related parties, private meetings, all of which require catering and staffing. Of those I've attended my share. It's also public space with several dining facilities and bars. Head to the rooftop, AKA "The Nest" for the single most breathtaking view of the entire city and campus, one that has no equal in the entire city. Breathtaking. Visit in the evenings on weekends and you can catch live music and a small bar on the rooftop, everything you need for a special night out, and I already mentioned, that view! Not just for hotel guests that are staying, in case you wonder. First floor, The Birddog Bar has a nice selection of my favorite beers and spirits and is a relaxed place to kick back and has a credible bar menu. For fine dining, "On The Hill," their Italian restaurant is turning out the best hand crafted pasta dishes and more in the city. Elegant, and highly rated. And for folks like me wanting to quaff a great cup of joe on a morning walk, that's available ala Starbucks in the morning in the lobby by the front door. Oh, and for the college crowd there's an age appropriate bar on the backside down the hill. I'd consider myself a bit old to visit according to my daughter. Wise advice from what I've heard. I'll stick with that. If you come: valet parking, close to everything KU related, you can even see parts of the football field for game day, and the University promises it'll be a winning team in a year or two. We can only hope, right? One last thing: a neighbor is a lead housekeeping worker in the facility and speaks highly of her employer. THAT gets my attention.

We first stayed at the Oread Hotel on their grand opening many years ago. Whenever we come to…read moreLawrence, we have tried to stay at the Oread. It's always been a good stay. This trip so far has been the extreme opposite. We came to the hotel at 12:30 hoping to be able to check in a little early. We stood at the front desk for almost five minutes before a woman came out and said, "do you need something"? She asked our name and said, "we have nothing available right now". We had hoped to change clothes and freshen up before a meeting with University of Kansas officials and a subsequent dinner with them. There is no school going on at KU as commencement was the previous week. There were only six cars in the hotel garage. We have never been treated so rudely by a hotel's front desk personnel. I also asked when the room might be available and was told 4:00. She made no effort to look anything up or accommodate us in any way. Very disappointing.

I've been here on weekdays after trivia at the Johnny's across the street (parking lot?). It's a…read morevery small spot (fewer than 10 people can comfortably be in there at once) but the cocktails are fantastic and creative. I wish they served some small bites or snacks but this place is a very nice chill vibe when it's not too busy, although they do have a small patio area outside.

Fantastic staff, everyone was helpful and friendly! We came in close to close, and got…read morerecommendations on where to go and what to do. A regular had her huskies in, and I absolutely love having a few beers while I make new furry friends.

Lawrence's go-to destination event space…read more Name the event, they've done it hundreds of times here: weddings, wedding rehearsals, board meetings, cabarets, fraternity/sorority events, proms, etc., etc. You don't have the kind of scheduling and traffic they're running unless you're first-rate. Don't get here real often, but dropped by late last night at a political watch party. Things are humming behind the scenes, trash is getting quietly picked up, trash containers changed out before they're overflowing, bartenders are hustling, and everything seems to click. I'm reminded how well everything operates here. Happen to know who the executive chef is and he's the real deal, lots of big experience in the city and a no b.s. kind of guy that gets the job done right. Food is flying in and out of here at a rate that exceeds many restaurants in the area. If I had an event and was looking for a space to serve those needs I'd be looking here first because the experience and expertise lies within.

Bleh! That's the best way to describe this place…read more The food was bleh! Like add some seasoning The DJ was bleh. Like ebb and flow, man. The beer was bleh. The tapped beer was flat after they filled pitchers with super foam. Apparently they didn't tap the keg right but they didn't fix it either. And then they wanted to charge for bottled bud