moosnsqrl

Judy, have you been to TM? If so, how was it? ← Nope - we've had two aborted missions due to weather-related delays of our prospective fellow diners. I have to be honest, though, the website cooled my enthusiasm a bit. I'll probably try it just because it's there (like Everest - the moutain, not the restaurant ) but it doesn't strike me as a place I will frequent unless the food is incomprable. The vibe seems a little too slick and packaged (and WTF's up with the upholstery? It's enough to put me off of my feed!)

So, the soy isn't working, I gather?

Souperman, the long-awaited casual project from Rob Dalzell (1924) opened this week. The menu featured five soups, two salads (mixed and Caesar) and five "sandittos" (essentially a "wrap" heated on a pannini griddle). There is a combo (8 oz soup and a half-sanditto) for $6.99 and a souper [sic] combo (16 oz soup and a half-sanditto) for $7.99. I enjoyed the Thai coconut chicken soup with rice noodles and a brisket/blue cheese/carmelized onion sanditto. Other soup selections (on Wednesday, anyway) were black bean/chorizo, smoked tomato, and Boulevard (beer) cheese chowder and curried pumpkin/apple bisque. Other sanditto combos were (IIRC): roast pork/ham/pickles/swiss, roast beef/swiss/grilled red onion, portobello/roasted pepper/goat chees, chipotle chicken salad/tomato/pepperjack/romaine. They seemed already to be doing a brisk carryout business and they wisely planned their serving pieces accordingly - the soups are served in paper coffee cups w/well-fitting lids, the sandittos are wrapped securely in a foil/paper composite and those, together with a utensil/s&p/napkin packet, oyster crackers and saltines, are handed to you in a "four pack" with a handle, the receipt stapled to it (a great convenience for anyone schlepping lunch back to co-workers). Edited for typo.

Does anyone know Denman Farms poultry? I noticed it on the Trezo Mare menu. Since most places around town (those who bother to list the provenance of their poultry) feature Campo Lindo so I became curious. Googling turns up places in MS, NE and KY but nothing really near here.

KC Media Digest for week of January 18-25, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section Local bbq sauce dude Ardie Davis takes us from nose to tail, KCPD style. Lauren Chapin finds a lot to like about lentils. Janet Majure persuades a Prairie Village woman with a Spartan heritage to share her recipe for a hearty, soulful Greek stew in Come Into My Kitchen. If your New Year's resolutions and the craving for hot, spicy Tex-Mex are at odds, check out Jill Silva's lightened-up casserole in Eating for Life. Here is the Food Calendar for the week of January 17. Preview Section Lauren Chapin responds to readers' pleas to stop-in and review a long-time "drive by" Shawnee Mission Parkway eatery, Pine and Bamboo Garden. And, in Good & Cheap, more props for new the new local darling You Say Tomato. In Cityscape Joyce Smith reports that long-time KC restaurant family, the Cascones, are adding to their empire with some new fast-casual offerings. And speculation continues on the fate of the Frondizi's site. Could Plaza-area rent drive yet-another local out in favor of an upscale chain? Stay tuned. At the same link, a spotlight on The Palatable Pair, a young couple producing quality condiments in the kitchen of Le Fou Frog during off-hours. I hear the chutneys are primo. Other News Hearne Christopher covers the BBQ battle as Famous Dave's prepares to move into the Power&Light District, even as local institution, Li'l Jakes, is getting the eminent domain boot. The Pitch In keeping with the "places I drive by and wonder about" theme for this week's reviews, Charles Ferruzza says "adios" to the yellow cheese crowd and "hola" to the more-authentic Ixtapa. Caveat emptor if you don't like your food caliente. And finds metro desperate housewives hanging out at the Leawood Foo's Frozen Yogurt in My Big Fat Mouth. Lawrence Journal-World I was delighted to find an article about an old friend, Alan Terry, and his shitake enterprise. Thanks to Jennifer Oldridge for jogging pleasant memories of past harvests with a real fun guy (sorry). Also glad to see some national (or perhaps international) attention focused on Lawrence restaurateur Hillary Brown and her wonderful Local Burger in a piece by Ron Knox. (Thanks, BBQBoy for calling this to my attention!) Last but not least, good news for Robert Krause, his family and diners in the area. The regulatory hurdles have been cleared and Robert Krause Dining will again open in the family's home after some renovation; likely in April. Present Magazine If you're tired of the usual January spate of fat-bashing articles, you'll enjoy this. Holistic health coach Jill McLaughlin writes "I Hope You Get Fat," but she means it in only the nicest way. On KCUR (FM 89.3) Time for the food critics alternate-Friday visit on The Walt Bodine Show. On 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile. Go here and click Listen Live, 11am-noon Saturday. <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some area media outlets, which do not 'go to press' before we do, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you. <><><><><>

The tubes seem to be taking over in these parts. While not highly imaginative, they are fairly practical (reusable, offering some margin of protection, most have a cord 'handle' for easy toting). I suppose, if it were a special bottle or recipient, they could be personalized with photos, recipes, reviews, graphics from the winery's website incorporating the label (since, as someone upthread said, labels are often art now). Essentially making the wrapping a greeting/gift card. Not that you seem like the artsy-craftsy type but one never knows.

Are you making fun of my Midwest accent? ← We don't have accents here in the the midwest -- that's why they send TV journalists here to "learn" to speak un-accented US English. And there is a difference between bad grammar and an accent.

I somehow missed this thread in its 'youth' but will have to work my way back through it, as I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. I was a little disenchanted to learn of Michael's Duke education. A bitter pill for a Kansas basketball fan but I will try to focus on his writing and overlook this minor character flaw.

moosnsqrl: What? A grilled cheese smothered in Bechamel and topped with two fried eggs AND sided by duck-fat frites doesn't stay within most people's new year's resolutions diet?! If I may ask, how much were them scallops? One of the things that impresses me the most about bluestem's brunch is that the prices are so damn affordable. ← And you're forgetting the prosciutto (or San Daniele or?). A formidable dish, indeed. Them scallops [sic] were $13-15, I think. Yes, incredible value considering the quality of ingredients, to say nothing of the difficulty of getting chefs up and about on a Sunday morning.

A friend in town from NYC and I had a great brunch at bluestem yesterday. He is the least decisive person I have ever known, so I was relieved that both of our shortlists included the croque madame and the scallops; we ordered both and agreed to share. I don't think I've ever left this restaurant without having a scallop dish because they seem to have unlocked the secret to cooking them perfectly. This treatment was no exception. Accompanied by cipollini, funghi, poached eggs and truffles, they were delicious. And the croque madame (or, as we were calling it down the stretch, the 'croak') was the most decadent version I've ever had. Not that we minded. I'm not sure there was any room for added richness anywhere in the sandwich but the egg topping (which surprised me as I was thinking Monsieur rather than Madame) and duck-fat frites served to throw the needle on the health-o-meter into the red. Had the roads been less treacherous I might have feared for my health but I was fairly certain the drive home would be fatal anyway, so I ate with reckless abandon. My companion mentioned several times how pleasant the atmosphere was, as opposed to other buffet-style, over-the-top affairs that seem to be the norm for brunches in these parts. I have to agree; a more civilized and relaxing experience all the way around. If only they delivered!

This is great!!! Any idea what the menu/format/pricing/seating is like? Personally I could just move in and never leave but my friends who actually have jobs will be very interested to know the hours, reservation "situation," and menu.

There is a charitable event (No More Homeless Pets - KC) scheduled for Sunday, January 28 at The Cafe. I'm sure Tim is working his fingers to the bone in the rush to open, so thought I would give the latest info that I'm aware of.

Well, as much as I hate to dignify that with a response of any kind . . . I had a colleague who had gone to great lengths to increase her soy intake on the basis of the plant-based estrogen theory espoused above. Whether it helps or not is case-by-case and there probably isn't/never will be enough evidence to confirm or refute. I *will* say that, once diagnosed with breast cancer, her oncologist immediately had her cease and desist all [known] soy consumption. Apparently no one is quite willing to say definitively that soy's estrogen is beneficial but neither are they willing to take the chance of it being harmful where it is contraindicated. Bravo and good luck on your experiment. It's not for everyone but I always encourage people to try new things and shake things up from time to time.

Wow, do I want a bloody mary all of a sudden! Too bad I'm not on EST. Kent, have you tried Tito's or are you just beyond salvation with regard to vodka? It's from your own backyard and it's about as un-designer as you can get, but tasty nonetheless. Vodka is my DOC and I wish the 'trend' would end suddenly and for good. The faddishness factor is costing me dearly. I haven't kept records of the rising cost of decent (not super-premium) vodka but it must be a very steep curve. I'll be happy when the beautiful people move on to something else. I wouldn't diss vodka entirely, though, even if you don't love it. It does have its culinary uses. I, too, would find gin far too junipery for curing salmon. Aquavit bears consideration there, though.

I was reluctant to add this since I'm not a native and it falls under the category of "slumming" compared to Ronnie's picks. Since Doc jumped in and someone upthread mentioned Aldi, I think it's relatively flame-retardent . I learned to love Caputo's this summer during a couple of visits. It's not the highest-end, best of anything, but the variety and price-point makes me really wish we had one here in KC. I would take a run through the deli counter right now if it weren't a seven-hour drive. Although I could stop at Devotay on the way up and back, which very nearly makes the rationlization work for me.

KC Media Digest for week of January 11-17, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section Anne Brockhoff visits with area chefs to find out their secrets for getting kids to eat vegetables. And explores the historical twists and turns of 007's Martinis. Fear of an ensuing lillet shortage leaves me shaken, not stirred. In Come into My Kitchen, Janet Majure visits with a local flautist who hits all the right notes in her recipe for apple pancakes with cider sauce In Eating for Life, Jill Silva lightens up traditional stew with more vegetables and fungi for some one pot wonders. Here is the Food Calendar for the week of January 10. Preview Section Lauren Chapin reports on the lastest addition to Martini Corner, The Drop. Other news Joyce Smith identifies five new links in the chain of tenants for the Power & Light District. The Pitch Charles Ferruzza and his posse visit the new Briarcliff outpost of Piropos. My Big Fat Mouth mines the struggle between profit and professional service. KC Magazine G.E. Fellrath visits a KC-area classic, Tatsu's. In Ingram's Magazine Chris Becica tells an all-too-familiar tale of seasonal overindulgence. Lawrence Journal-World Terry Rombeck suggests chicken soup to cure the common cold and offers some recipes from various sources for your 'medicine cabinet'. On 710 KCMO (AM) From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile. Go here and click Listen Live, 11am-noon Saturday. <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some area media outlets, which do not 'go to press' before we do, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you. <><><><><>

It probably is off-topic but I agree completely. I have never understood what the fuss is about JS, except that it's accessible, approachable. I think it appeals to the middle-of-the-road palate - and that's fine - there is room for that (obviously). I just don't consider it a standard-bearer of KC BBQ or anything else, for that matter. I could easily see it becoming a Famous Dave's-type thing because of its (apparently) universal appeal. I'm with you; more likely to be found (if not on my own deck) at LC's or tiny places that I am reluctant to enumerate.

I noticed the same thing, UE. I started reading about Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year . . . and actually had to check the calendar to see if I were even more confused than usual. But I reasoned that they also send renewal notices about six months into a year's subscription, so I assume it's just a way to get more dollars more quickly. If they can even get a fraction of subscribers to renew two months ahead, the interest is nothing to sneeze at. With more competition for ad revenues, perhaps they're actually looking to subscribers to help turn a profit?

Actually, Fress, don't knock it until you try it. During my 14 meatless years I became very fond of it and still use it rather than run-of-the-mill grocery store pepperoni. If I have the good stuff, I'll go with it. The generic isn't worth the oil slick it creates on the top of a pie, so I'll go with the Yves if it's available. On that note, I think much of the marketing of faux foods in shapes is just that - marketing. They make the foods for vegetarians or people with allergies anyway, so they look around and wonder how they can expand the market. If they're making surimi anyway, why not sell it to kosher-keeping (or some slice thereof) Jews as kosher crab?

I always kind of assume the NRA is more representative of McFunsters, Applebee's and the like. Based on these lists, though, they seem to be all over the place. Blackened anything? That was so 80s. And foams? Don't tell Marcel.

Others have implied that I'm no longer a 'young person'; they're all dead now I'm struggling with the explanation that these places are tapas (or tapas-y or -ish) because, when I think of tapas, that is the ultimate in controlling what you eat, how much and in what order. You just ask for something, eat it, ask for something else and on and on until you're full or it's approaching midnight and therefore almost time to start thinking about an actual dinner. How did we manage to turn a style of eating that originated either at a bar or at most a tiny, round stand-up-height cocktail table and turn it into something that won't fit on a dinner table without arriving in waves? Caramba!

I find this beyond bizarre. More often than not, if there is any ambiguity at all (i.e. not a clear soup, app, entree - er, make that obvious rather than clear, to avoid confusion with consomme), the server will propose an order and then ask if that will be OK, giving a chance to alter it. The only exception being salad, which will nearly always be brought early if you don't specify a preference to the contrary, even in French restaurants here (which seems odd, but . . .). Maybe someone should invite one of the practitioners of this new "concept" to participate in a "Spotlight" so we can have a dialog about it. I'd really like to know what they were thinking. If that's what they felt they needed to do to shake things up or differentiate themselves in the marketplace, I have to wonder what's next.

Thanks to AT&T for getting my landline and DSL service restored in only 36 hours, here, at last, is this week's Digest . KC Media Digest for week of January 4 - 10, 2007 The Kansas City Star Food Section In a sure sign that the low-carb fad is officially over, Eating for Life features Jill Silva's recipe for stuffed potatoes. Janet Majure and Neil Salkind found a holiday that even our homegrown inventors of greeting card buying occasions has overlooked: in Online Epicure we learn that January 19 is Popcorn Day. Who knew? And Janet visits with an area mom who tries to recreate food memories from growing up on a winery in Oregon in Come Into My Kitchen. Here is the Food Calendar for the week of January 3. Preview Section Lauren Chapin visits the latest outlet of Fiorella's Jack Stack on the Plaza. And tries the new Liberty location of another homegrown mini-chain, Cupini's. Other news: Kansas City Rib Company has a new North Kansas City location. In the Business Section If you have Chiefs Fever, some frozen custard might help to relieve it. Joyce Smith tells us Custard's Last Stand will be serving a special red custard Saturday and, if you say the secret word, you'll pay a discounted price based on the final score of the playoff game. The Pitch Charles Ferruzza weighs in on the stylish Nara, sampling more than just chili this time. My Big Fat Mouth suggests Cordish et al. look to the past to bring some individuality to the future Power & Light restaurant scene. Present Magazine Good news for fans of this yearling local 'zine - beginning in February Present will be a full html site, eliminating the pesky download of the pdf doc and providing more flexibility in content. Look for a link in this digest in a few weeks. In the interim, if you want to ensure you don't miss out on any events, fill out this form and receive, via email, the most comprehensive lists of goings-on in KC. On KCUR FM This morning marks the first visit of The Food Critics to the Walt Bodine show in 2007. Go here and click Listen Live at 10am. Edited to add: On 710 KCMO (AM) This Saturday (Jan 6) a new food radio show premiers. From Jasper's Kitchen, with Jasper Mirabile will cook, discuss local/regional food news and play host to other area chefs and food personalities. On a final note, we lost one of our city's originals shortly before Christmas. Dave Golad, whose eponymous Dave's Stagecoach Inn has served all ends of the societal spectrum for more than 50 years (and is frequently voted "Best Dive"), has gone up to try and collect on some old bar tabs. Raise a glass to a real tavern keeper - they don't make 'em like that anymore. <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some area media outlets, which do not 'go to press' before we do, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you. <><><><><>

I was thinking more "artless" or "clueless." I wonder what they would do if you simply ordered only one thing at a time to circumvent their silly policy? But you're right, why bother? Just avoid them entirely. There are plenty of restaurants who deserve your patronage and know when to fire orders so everyone at the table can be served at the same time.

Let me toss another consideration into the mix. Understanding we've determined there is a difference in the letter of the law (which is quite clear) and its application so we don't have to go back over that . . . If an establishment that operates under a liquor license in our area is found in violation of the terms of that license there is typically a fine involved as well as a mandatory number of days that they are required to shut down. Often they can choose the days to minimize the adverse economic affect but there is, nonetheless, a penalty not only to the house but to every employee who would ordinarily have worked a shift on the days they are forced to close. When you consider this, I think it's a bit of a risk to ask all of those people to take (especially those who are living on the margin to begin with) for someone to enjoy wine with their meal. I know I would feel terrible if I inadvertently caused all of the staff at one of my local haunts to lose income in a situation like that. Again, I get that the thrust of this is that it's unlikely to be noticed, enforced or punished. But if the consequences potentially affect that many people (and here, they would), does that shed a new light on it? [As an aside, I was individually charged with a license violation back in my poor college student days (not under-age drinking, rather a matter of some of the beers served at a bar/restaurant were 3.2% and subject to cereal malt law rather than liquor law, and therefore had to be off of the tables/bars by midnight) so I know what it is like to find yourself in a situation like that without knowingly breaking a law.]