moosnsqrl

I have this book too! I believe it belonged to GF's Mom? Try the Porcupine Meatballs. ← Wow, that brought back memories. They used to serve those in the cafeteria at the student union when I was in college, only they omitted the word "meat" from the name on the posted menu, so everyone ordered "Porcupine Balls" and tried not to giggle. That really never got old, now that I think of it

No longer serving lunch. Again, Aaron, if you can get there by 7, you'll find the bistro chow at prices you're expecting. The offerings are more limited but there is generally a fish, a viande, several soups and a dessert at greatly reduced happy hour prices. And, as joiei mentioned above, the charcuterie plate and the cheese plate are always good, and the frites are as well.

Kill It And Grill It, by Ted Nugent. It was a gift. It made me gag. I guess you could call it a gag gift.

Aaron, you're right, Le Fou Frog should have a thread all its own. We have discussed it but, as you'll notice due to the relatively light traffic here vis-a-vie Chicago, from whence you came, a separate thread often dilutes the dialog. I am always somewhat reluctant to write-up "the Frog" because I've been going there since before they really opened and it is owned, and largely staffed, by friends, so I feel not only like a shill, but also like a traitor to those of us for whom it is a fairly well-kept secret. It is, simply the best at what is does. And I am *really* loathe to post this, but they have un-freaking-believable happy hour specials. I hope no one else finds out. There. I said it. Now I will be shunned.

I was going to say that, too. And he has a sauce book as well. Disclosure: he's a local 'boy' and an acquaintance, and a director of the KCBS. Another Raichlen, How to Grill, is more fundamental. Also, if you're interested, The Gas Grill Gourmet is the non-charcoal bible at our house. I know, I know, it's blasphemy, but on weeknights we DO use the gas grill. Guilty as charred - er charged.

I've not been under the current chef but experienced similar angst at wanting to like it more than I was able to in the past. You're right - I like everything about it except all-too-often the food on the plate. And we used to stop for a martini and an appetizer occasionally but the last time I did that their martinis (while good and large-ish) were $9 or 10 and with the app and tip I decided I could shake my own cocktails chez moi. I'm still occasionally pulled in that direction (I blame my car) but I always manage to talk myself out of it. There are other places that offer more reliable results at the same or lower price point.

KC Media Digest for week of June 7-13, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section Jill Silva offers a recipe for fresh, light lemony orzo in Eating For Life; and check out her serialized food stamp experience: Day One, Day Two. Think you make a mean cocktail? Enter the Drench Your Thirst contest. Let's try to bring home a winner for eG. Lauren Chapin steps Into the Vietnamese Kitchen for some light reading. Mary Pepitone introduces Joan O'Keefe, mother, registered dietitian, and co-author of The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle in Come Into My Kitchen. The Farmers Markets are all up and running - check 'em out! Here is this week's Food Calendar. Gail Borelli on the pleasures of making your own fresh flavor-infused liqueurs. Doug Frost recommends a an obscure Rivola in Grape Escape. Business Section Joyce Smith brings us up to date on restaurant comings and goings. Preview Section Lauren Chapin takes some young students through the paces of French 101 at Cafe de Provence. Lauren gets some late-night Cancun Fresh in Westport - it's Good & Cheap. The Pitch Charles Ferruzza pays his first visit to Lill's since she lost her "y" to the Marriott Corporation. My Big Fat Mouth has the 4-1-1 on The Drug Store in Smithville and the new chef at Phillips Chophouse. Lawrence Journal-World Susan Krumm looks into the iced tea/salmonilla situation. Jayni Carey goes southwesternon Jayni's Kitchen. And Gwen Mellinger brakes for vegetable gardens. Present Magazine Pete Dulin reinforces what most of us already know - it's important to take notes if you're writing-up a seven-course wine dinner; this one took place at Avenues Bistro in Brookside. KCUR FM89.3 The irascible Food Critics turnip () again for the Walt Bodine show. Click Listen Live. 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile, 11am-noon Saturday. Go here and click Listen Live OR go to the Italian Festa and Zona Rosa, from which he'll be broadcasting.

Put me down with Russ on this one. Perhaps due in part to the fact that I read this thread first, but the article seems lazy and derivative. What is he saying here that hasn't been said before? I love sarcasm and snideness as much as anyone but his brand isn't so special that he needs to re-cover the same ground that's already been trod - to death. Bay Area, granola-eating, Birkenstock-wearing, yada yada yada. We get it, already. One thing that no one else has mentioned, though, that bothered me: What city (apart from, presumably, NYC) has contributed to a greater extent when weighed against it's proximity to a production area? We're in the wheat belt here, but hardly on the cutting edge of producing stellar breads, so I'm sure we've fallen short of the mark. Much of the heirloom/heritage turkey, pork and beef beloved by chefs on both coasts is raised here, so we should probably be raising the bar on those fronts as well. I've not read the NOLA article that everyone is referring to but there seems to be a pattern of metropolitan areas failing to live up to his expectations. And then there are those damn noisy bells in Montepulciano. Maybe he's just getting too old to travel. Edited to insert comma.

KC Media Digest for week of May 31 - June 6, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section Jill Silva and her brood take a week-long food stamp challenge. Mary Pepitone vists with Helen Darnall and daughter, Sandy Clark, and they share a recipe for magic marshmallow cinnamon rolls in Come Into My Kitchen. The week's Food Calendar and Farmer's Market listings are not available online as of this writing. Business Section Joyce Smith notes Lawrence's Replay Lounge is honored in Esquire as one of the Best Bars in America and sounds the final death knell of the restaurant formerly known as SORedux; updates us on various moves, adds and changes around town; the latest chain link to join Power & Light District. Preview Section Lauren Chapin revisits the venerable institution known to local 'cue fan as simply AB's - Arthur Bryant's for those less fortunately located. And, in Good & Cheap, hits the ready-made aisle of Overland Park's Whole Foods. The Pitch Charles Ferruzza and friends do a little Seoul searching at Chosun Korean BBQ. My Big Fat Mouth bids a fond adieu to Europa Cafe & Bakery - under its present owners. Lawrence Journal-World Not sure whether to keep it or toss it? Terry Rombeck has some advice for foods without "born on" dates Susan Krumm tells us how to build a healthier scone. And Jayni Carey teaches a new kind of chicken dance on Jayni's Kitchen. Present Magazine Michelle O'Brien heads to one of my favorite City Market destinations, The Chinatown Food Market. 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile, 11am-noon Saturday. Go here and click Listen Live. ←

In an entirely different vein, I like Crofton on Wells.

Indeed, I have forgotten to eat lunch because I was busy foraging for something I got a craving for and just *had* to make for dinner. Try explaining to someone how you managed to go to 5 food shops in an hour and neglected to buy anything that can actually be eaten in its current state and you're starving. "Water, water everywhere . . ."

KC Media Digest for week of May 24 - May 30, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section A special tribute to KC resident and Bon Appetit founder Frank Jones Mary Pepitone vists Phil Maslin for a new twist on Memorial Day grilling in Come Into My Kitchen. In Eating For Life, Jill Silva gives the skinny on pork loins. Here are the Farmers Market listings; and click here for this week's Food Calendar. Doug Frost's Grape Escape for this week is a rose from The Luberon. Business Section Joyce Smith provides updates on various local eateries. Preview Section Lauren Chapin offers some ideas for keeping your cool this summer. The Pitch Never afraid to take one for the team, Charles bravely goes where none of us has mustered the courage to dine - T-Rex. My Big Fat Mouth we explore the world of food that now calls KC home. KC Magazine The reviews for both May and June have been posted online since last week. Click here to see G.E. Fellrath's take on Phillips Chop House and a general overview of steaks in Cowtown. Lawrence Journal-World Terry Rombeck visits with area emu rancher Ann Merkel. Susan Krumm offers tips for grilling beef safely. 89.3 FM KCUR The Food Critics return to the Walt Bodine Show. Click here to Listen Live 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile, 11am-noon Saturday. Go here and click Listen Live.

KC Media Digest for week of May 24 - May 30, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section A special tribute to KC resident and Bon Appetit founder Frank Jones Mary Pepitone vists Phil Maslin for a new twist on Memorial Day grilling in Come Into My Kitchen. In Eating For Life, Jill Silva gives the skinny on pork loins. Here are the Farmers Market listings; and click here for this week's Food Calendar. Doug Frost's Grape Escape for this week is a rose from The Luberon. Business Section Joyce Smith provides updates on various local eateries. Preview Section Lauren Chapin offers some ideas for keeping your cool this summer. Elsewhere The Pitch Never afraid to take one for the team, Charles bravely goes where none of us has mustered the courage to dine - T-Rex. My Big Fat Mouth we explore the world of food that now calls KC home. Lawrence Journal-World Terry Rombeck visits with area emu rancher 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile, 11am-noon Saturday. Go here and click Listen Live.

UE, UE, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? You're in that awkward stage between home/hobbyist and market gardener. You might check with Dan & Katherine at KC Center for Urban Agriculture or the Kansas City Food Circle. Moving farther afield ( ) Seed Savers (although I don't know if they have a semi-bulk program). It's too late for spring but if you talk to some farmers you might be able to buy-in on their bulk buy for fall planting. Most of them buy by the pound, I would guess, so if you paid up-front I can't think they would mind (other than that you clearly would not be buying mesclun from them, but they're not really competitive types for the most part anyway). If you want specifics PM me.

We have more than a dozen markets throughout the KC area and you can see what you want to see there . . . boomers in Volvos, xers on foot, affluent, working poor, homeless . . . and I have seen the same at Ferry Plaza. We had a thread here some time ago about markets and are the farmers gouging, etc. All I can say is, if you think the prices at your local market are unfair, volunteer to work in their fields for one day. That will solve the whole situation. And that doesn't even begin to address the risk and the cumulative exhaustion that sets in throughout the growing season. If most of us were trying to make a living on produce, you would see $5 tomatoes (or peaches, or . . .) Those things don't grow on trees, ya know!

We went to the City Market this morning. It is, of course, the mother of all markets in the metro but much of the volume can be attributed to the year-round produce businesses. Still, there were a lot of local farmers there: Nature's Choice (Helen & Fred Messner), a woman whose name I can't think of but she has a CSA and previously went to the 39th St Mkt; Thane from near DeSoto (again, what's with my memory for names, already), the Pisciotta Farms folks (not to be confused with Pisciotta's, the wholesaler) and many other family farms, mostly Amish. We got some good stuff and some great plants and flowers that should serve to bring a record-late frost upon us.

Anche io! Bravo, rancho_gordo, e che bruta figura, Signor Petrini!

Brookside is the best in terms of being all certified organic and offering interesting varities. OP is generally a very good market when the season gets going - there will always be some non-local stuff sold there but local far outweighs it in high season. Parkville is a cute little market (Dave Crum's parents sell there). Nearer you, check out the one in Merriam (just off I-35 and Johnson Drive) and the one in Shawnee (a little farther west on Johnson Drive, near the historic area). But, again, wait a bit because they don't really get good until June-ish. Oh, and I love the Lawrence market, too, if you feel like taking a drive some Saturday.

I've been to only two markets this season: Brookside on the day it opened: some eggs from Jim Wood; turnips, kohlrabi, greens, herbs and radishes from KCCUA (Dermitzl, Kelly - hoop house-grown). The new T-Bones Market (at the Legends): mostly flowers, honey, crafts and the like but one really good organic farmer who had a good spread of spring stuff (spinach, arugula, radish, turnip, mesclun-y mix, romaine). I introduced myself to him and discovered his farm is around 47th & Parallel (IIRC). He thanked me for my purchase but specifically warned me that he would have little over the next few weeks owing to the Easter weekend freeze and ensuing conditions. Here at our own little 'hell's half-acre' things are going similarly slowly. I couldn't get the transplants from the Farm Expo (in March) into the ground because of schedule and climate conflicts. We had some good over-wintered spinach, garlic, onions, etc. and the perennial herbs are full on but it's otherwise pretty dismal. Some of the neighbors who have 20'X40' plots down the road had gotten thing in earlier and they're looking good but little harvestable at this point. Patience, grasshopper (I never really watched that so I may be misusing the pop culture reference but it was a tempting pun on pests).

KC Media Digest for week of May 17 - May 23, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section Mary Pepitone introduces artist Beth Gresham in Come Into My Kitchen. Jill Silva offers heavenly treats in Eating For Life. The Food Calendar is here and the Farmers Markets are listed here. Doug Frost's Grape Escape for this week is a Greek viognier. Business Section Joyce Smith visits Big Moma's Bakery & Cafe to find out how small businesses can make their dough rise; and finds an old familiar restaurateur starting a new drive-in in Lee's Summit. Preview Section Lauren Chapin checks out our new churrascaria, En Chamas and finds much to moo about. And, in Good & Cheap, the latest iteration of the oft-changing Southwest Blvd's nod to the Taj Mahal, Casa Grande The Pitch Charles Ferruzza on Aladdin, one of the new entries onto the 39th Street scene (formerly Rumi). My Big Fat Mouth is once again a fond farewell -- this time, Frondizi's closes, after failure to come to terms on a lease. Best of luck to Chef Linda Duerr, who will be joining JJ's kitchen after a vacation. Lawrence Journal-World Locavore and now media darling, Hilary Brown appears on this week's "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" (on the Sundance Channel). 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile, 11am-noon Saturday. Go here and click Listen Live.

Interesting situation but I hope it doesn't derail potential good coming out of the combined forces - we would all be the losers for that. Maybe trying to do a "one size fits all" to fix very different things that are "broken" in different parts of the world isn't realistic? Clearly the issues in the US (obesity, chemicals, etc) aren't the same ones faced in areas where starvation is the biggest problem. I'd like to think there is room for anyone who wants to address any of these things but don't blame anyone for being insulted -- assuming we have all of the facts and the translation problem wasn't really the problem.

First, great conversation! Thanks to all whether or not you agreee/belong -- let's enjoy a vibrant dialog! I cannot disagree with much of what has been said but, in fairness, a farmer really must determine what he/she must charge for goods and price them accordingly. If the market cannot bear it, they will figure it out. To say that charging more than X for any item constitutes price gouging is ludicrous. Of course product in grocery stores is priced artificially and propped up by chemicals, mechanization and subsidies. It is disingenuous to blanketly challenge any subset of growers for their pricing. I daresay the growers who sell at Ferry Plaza pay more for their stalls, gas from field to market, etc, etc, than possibly any other growers in the CON US. Why would their goods not cost more? And the ultimate is that people will complain about food prices readily but don't bat an eye at other gouging that goes on all day long. I am constantly surrounded by people who drive SUVs 40 miles RT to work (alone, without riders, tools, or any legitimate reason). But Steve and his compadres at Ferry Plaza are gouging. I think not.

I have a somewhat-tarnished and not-recently-worn snail in my jewelry box. I am not willing to entirely throw the baby out with the bath water, but I have also found some troubling nconsistencies and issues with Slow Food, both globally and locally. I don't think anyone is a sacred cow (Waters, Slow Food, Earthbound Farms, Whole Foods) - people start out with the best of intentions but it's tough not to slip off of the pedestal. I hate to see folks who are generally in the same corner taking pot shots at one another. Clearly his piece is anecdotal and surely the specific growers are composites of several people and, in combining them, he does a disservice to all. The word "irresponsible" comes to mind. I attended a workshop sponsored by the KC Food Circle in December and one of the sesions was on pricing. One of the presenters is a fabulous local grower, but one whose prices are unapologetically high. I've purchased and enjoyed more than one $4 tomato from him. It was interesting to hear him say that he couldn't afford to buy their produce at retail rate but to explain how they arrive at the pricing.

Funny, I just picked this up again yesterday after a long absence. I read some short pieces: Mei Chin's "My Life with Rice" (published in Saveur) which describes an Asian's dysfunctional relationship with a grain that is supposed to be innately sacred to her. Floyd Skloot's "Jambon Dreams" (from Boulevard), examining his life-long love/hate relationship with food and how it evokes memories good and bad as he struggles to overcome various physical ailments, some hereditary. "Chef's Homemade Secret" (Cleveland Plain-Dealer) in which Laura Taxel is tapped in the grocery to give a crash course on making pasta sauce from scratch. "Macaroni and Lots of Cheese" (NYT) by Julia Moskin on a quest for the ultimate comfort food (including quotes from our own Marlena Spieler). Kim Severson's "The Pilgrims Didn't Brine" (NYT) looks for the quickest, easiest yet best turkey methodology. Henry Alford's "It Takes a Tough Man to Make Tender Tofu" (Food & Wine) is another "quest for" story in which the author tries to duplicate the rhapsodic tofu at En Japanese Brasserie. I found the last one entertaining, the second compelling and the rest well-written if not life-changing.

Chicago was split off into the new 'Great Lakes' category this year, probably to give chefs in other cities a chance. But what really intrigues me about this winner is that with all the KC threads running here, I don't think I've ever heard a peep about this place. What's up with that? Have any of you KC folks eaten at this place? Is the chef actually deserving of the award? =R= ← The American Restaurant has been something of an institution in KC since it's inception. Although the design is somewhat dated now (in spite of a facelift a few years ago), it is a 'jewel box' of a dining room with a great view of the city (such as it is) and (if I'm not mistaken) James Beard consulted on the design. It is part of a complex that includes Crown Center (retail, theaters, Westin Hotel), Hall's Department Store, etc, in midtown and is the work of the Hall family of Hallmark cards fame. Bradley Ogden was (IIRC) the first chef there; Michael Smith and Debbie Gold won Beard awards as co-chefs there before opening 40 Sardines. They were responsible for initiating an annual JB Dinner there that continues to this day, to raise money for the Foundation. Chef Tio replaced Chefs Smith and Gold a few years ago. She came from the Disney restaurants in Orlando. I haven't eaten there enough times to give a fair assessment. Local reviewers have been less enthusiastic about the place than in the past. I can't find a Star review; KC Magazine reviewed it last December.