Vera Willis is president of the Peachtree Restaurant —serving up soul and country food in an upscale environment. Peachtree specializes in those comfort dishes that make the Midwest home like fried catfish, sweet potato cornbread and fried chicken. She will soon open her third Peachtree Restaurant in the Kansas City Power & Light District.

What’s unique about dining in Kansas City?

The variety of foods and the abundance of ethnic food restaurants give Kansas City a cosmopolitan culinary diversity. What’s more, you’ll find small, local, family owned restaurants on every corner.

What do you love best about Kansas City?

The people, the food and the livability. You have access to such a wonderful city here, you’ll have great interactions with the people because they’re so friendly they’ll strike up conversations with you anywhere and the food and cost of living make it very affordable.

What are Kansas City’s best-kept nightlife and dining secrets?

Go to Zona Rosa, the Country Club Plaza and the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District. All three have an abundance of great food. You can find a meal from $5 per person to as much as you want to spend for a more upscale meal.

What’s your insider dining tip for someone visiting Kansas City?

Visit as many restaurants as possible and don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with locals to solicit restaurant recommendations. People in Kansas City love to eat out and enjoy good food. Talk to your concierge, your doorman, and your front desk clerk and ask for advice on dining in your area.

If you only had three places to take a visitor in one night, where would you take them?

I’d take them on a dining extravaganza. We’d go to M&S Grill for some pot roast or rib eye accompanied by a side of mashed potatoes and seasoned vegetables, and later in the evening we’d get some baked beans and spareribs at either Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbeque or Gates Bar-B-Q.