Some good places I've encountered in my travels:
Kansas City, KS:
Sienna Bistro - connected to a caberet theater, owner/chef Brian is a treat to talk to about
wines and food, will offer you some of his homemade Kahlua to cap the dining experience
McCormick and Schmidts - chain, but good, try the chocolate box dessert
KC Hopps Barley's Brewhaus - good food and about 100 beers on tap, need I say more
Saint Louis, MO:
Kirk's American Bistro & Bar - excellent martini bar and excellent food
Nippon Tei - Excellent sushi for a price that will not break the bank
Sydney Street Cafe - excellent food, expensive, can be trick to get reservations
Black Thorn Pub - Excellent pizza, but call ahead if you want to eat any time soon
Sikeston, MO:
Lambert's Cafe "The Only Home of the Throwed Rolls" - Good country cooking and lots of it
Exit 31 off I24 in KY:
Paddy's - awesome 2" thick pork chops wrapped in hickory smoked bacon
Nashville, TN:
The Merchant's - Excellent food, piano player on 2nd floor to set the mood, all around great
dining experience
Jack's BBQ - Variety of fresh cut meats for scrumptous BBQ sandwhiches, cheap, and fast
Golden, CO:
The Table Mountain Inn - 5 Star Cooks and food for a 3 star price, great selection of microbrews
on tap