moosnsqrl

Thanks for the detailed report; I've been trying to make it there myself but have not yet succeeded. I've heard nothing but good things about the food. The only down-side being the self-service, Pepsi cup aspects that you mention. I do love a good lentil soup this time of year so that alone will probably finally motivate me to check it out.

Oh my - I guess I didn't notice! And absynthe? Didn't Edsel tempt you into an historical bit of the old nasty? Wow. I totally remember my brother being a food seperatist growing up but I didn't dream it was so prevalent (as it apparently is from these responses) in adulthood. Interesting. Not judging at all, mind you, just interesting.

And yet you seem so normal! So, let me get this straight . . . you don't drink wine with meals? Your husband may have a point

Whew! Don't know how I've missed this all week and now I'm so far behind I don't know where to begin. Happy belated birthday from a semi-Scorp. It was great meeting you in June and you haven't aged a day since then, so whatever you're doing seems to be working Seems we were both listening to Dr. Demento, same bat time, same bat channel. My first Weird Al memory was "My Balogna" which, needless to say, appealed to my food-centricity. But naturally, of the entire blog, it was the coffee cup that got to me. Rock, chalk, Jayhawk! Here's to a great 49th year!

I have a friend who has grown shitake commercially for about 10 years. At the holiday farmers market (generally early to mid-December) he often sells innoculated logs ~2 feet in length. I've had pretty good luck with them. The yield is not infinite; they do go dormant. And, if you can't be bothered with houseplants, this is probably not for you. You initially soak it for about 24 hours, then put it in a cool, dark place; they need to be misted or somehow have moisture added periodically for maximum growth. In short, one log probably isn't going to seem worth it, apart from the satisfaction of growing your own. Or if you have trouble getting quality shitake where you are. But, if you have space for, say, a half-dozen (and the time to check on them periodically) you could actually keep yourself supplied, depending on your consumption, of course. Oaken logs are what my friend uses; you drill holes in them and innoculate them with spore, which can be purchased in syringes from a variety of sources (just google).

It is refreshing, if somewhat painful, to read a constructively critical review. I'm sure Jennifer and the management winced but hope they will embrace the good and roll-up their sleeves to fix the rest. There is much potential there.

KC Media Digest for week of October 26- November 2, 2006 The Kansas City Star Food Section In Eating For Life Jill Silva encourages you to cook with your kids and offers a recipe for Chocolate Chip Strawberry Muffins. Janet Majure visits a former exchange student who shares her recipe for a simple chocolate cake with us in Come Into My Kitchen. Neil Salkind and Janet champion one of my pet causes in Be Like Peter, the Pumpkin Eater. Apart from The City Market (the outdoor part of which runs through November), this is the final weekend for area farmers markets. This week's food calendar can be found here. Preview Section Lauren Chapin goes west [young diner] to report on The Legends at Village West and its many eateries. And in Good & Cheap, ventures to Independence to find out why Jin's Chinese Cuisine has such a loyal following. Other Miscellaneous One Northland school takes active steps to improve students' diets, as reported by Lindsay Hanson Metcalf. At another, a student told Linda Mann the food is exquisite - not a word I would have ever considered in describing the offerings in my long-ago school days. Joyce Smith visits Wil Jenney's, a new addition to the burgeoning 135th Street corridor, and reports on some additional openings including new JoCo outlets for d'Bronx and Garozzo's The Pitch Charles Ferruzza visits Chef Cole Mowry (formerly of Cafe Trocadero) at his new gig, the resurrected Il Trullo. And add his name to the list of fans of Poco Guitterrez with high hopes for her new venture in the old Waid's location on Southwest Boulevard. Kansas City Magazine Kansas City Magazine's review of Cafe Sebastienne is available online (www.kcmag.com); I am unable to provide a hyperlink at this time but will update this when I return to the 21st century this evening. On KCUR-FM 89.3 The Food Critics return tomorrow; join them online at www.kcur.org and click Listen Live. <><><><><> 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 strained to see Sandy (I'm afraid I wouldn't know Katie if I saw her) but, alas, no luck. I guess your 15 minutes are still intact. I hope you know I went to bed and dreamed about those gnochi! I think I'll have to make some tonight, if I want to get some shut-eye. I was just glad the S.O. turned in early - if he'd seen that apricot sorbetto, I would have been sent to an all-night grocery ISO decent fruit and spent the night trying to recreate it. That, to me, is what is making the show work. Yes, there are lots of similar shows on, some might well argue too many. But despite all the yumming, oohing and aaahing, I have rarely seen anything that makes me want to either jump on a plane or at least run to the kitchen because I HAVE to have some of that RIGHT NOW. It's fairly clear Chris is actually enjoying what he's eating and and not just faking a food orgasm for the camera. Oh, and congratulations - I listened carefully and don't believe I heard one "awesome" in the whole Philly installment - your shock/aversion therapy must've worked.

From Friday's Business Section, an article on new openings in the "Martini Corner" area on east 31st Street; refugees from chains on The Plaza are starting a new restaurant row.

That's kinda what I'm thinking. When (not if) Chris & Company come to KC, I hope they avoid bbq like the plague. Not that we don't have THE BEST (take that! Texas, Carolina and Tennessee ) but it's been done...to...death. Esp on TFN. Show 'em something they're NOT expecting! [stepping off soapbox now.] ← Here's an idea... KC hoagies & Philly BBQ ← Exactly what I had in mind and MarketStEl (who should be something of an expert on both KC and Philly food) has already done the research.

KC Media Digest for week of October 19-25, 2006 The Kansas City Star Food Section Gail Borelli introduces us to the new lean, mean corndog in this installment of her series on healthier school lunches. In Eating For Life Jill Silva segues from summer to fall with apple glazed pork chops. Doug Frost files a very encouraging report on the state of wine production in Missouri. There are still a few farmers markets to visit before the season wraps-up. The calendar of events lists food and beverage-related happenings in and around Kansas City. Preview Section Poco (a/k/a Lorenza Llamas) brings her talent and flare to the diner formerly known as Waid's on Southwest Boulevard. Lauren Chapin reports that she is phasing out the standard gringo fare in favor of her Latino favorites and making plans for a much-needed facelift for this local institution. SORedux has undergone some tweaking. There is not, as of this writing, an online mention but in the print edition, Lauren also mentions that the new, improved EBT Restaurant has reopened showcasing a fountain, new furnishings and an updated menu. FYI Section Jumping on the nutrition bandwagon, James Fussell explores a 'Garanimals' approach to healthful eating in his Color Me Healthy contribution. The Pitch Try as they might, Charles Ferruzza and friends were unable to hate Avenues Bistro - the latest addition to the Brookside dining scene. The ambitious pan-Continental menu offers something for everyone. Bar Natasha's singing chef hits all the right notes for Charles in My Big Fat Mouth. ETA link <><><><><> 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. <><><><><>

Thank dog I don't have a chocolate habit. I am appreciating the zeal involved in this quest, but happy not to have any 'skin in the game' and able to go to bed without visions of semi-sweet chocolat dancing in my head!

That's kinda what I'm thinking. When (not if) Chris & Company come to KC, I hope they avoid bbq like the plague. Not that we don't have THE BEST (take that! Texas, Carolina and Tennessee ) but it's been done...to...death. Esp on TFN. Show 'em something they're NOT expecting! [stepping off soapbox now.]

We, too, enjoyed the pilot. Nice to see genuine enthusiasm versus, well, less-than-genuine enthusiasm (not to mention names). I think the most telling thing of all is that you made us really wanted to try most of the food (fried twinkies will never pass my lips, although I too enjoyed the Serpico moment). All of it looked really delectable - even though my KC self is dubious about steaming ribs . And lobster chicken-fried in butter. OMG. I expected to have dreams about that. That is outrageous. Good start, Officer Cognac. I do wish you hadn't told Zeemanb where to get shirts like yours, though .

I just stumbled upon this list for BYOB in KC area. It's clearly incomplete but it is a start and you can add places you might be aware of so, if we all cooperate, we could have a valuable resource at some future time. You can also sign-up to receive emails with event updates (tastings, auctions and the like) so it's worth a look for that as well.

Edna Lewis' Creamed Scallions - not health food but very tasty.

So glad no one was killed and, it appears, few serious injuries. We live near the New Madras fault and, periodically (when insurance profits are slumping, I suspect ) there is a prediction that something will happen but no on takes it very seriously. I just told the S.O. what I was reading (advice from NZ native about disaster prep) and we agreed that it was an eye-opener to hear about others' threats/fears. We're not without ours - there are tornadoes and ice storms that knock out power and take their toll periodically - but not to the extent that our kids take contingency kits to school each fall. Anyway, glad those of you in the 50th checked in - I always think of my eG compadres all over the world whenever anything of this sort occurs. Considering the make-up of our society, the inability to cook or acquire primo fresh foods is a fairly serious matter, but nothing relative to personal safety.

Yep, you're instincts are correct (clickety). It looks kinda like Stix, the Japanese/Sushi chain at The Legends in its upscaliness (if you can use upscale, I can use upscaliness ) and they have a Mission Statement - I hope never to eat in a restaurant with a written mission statement, preferring the more traditional menu. I wonder if their servers have to go to 7 Habits training?

mise en place - it evokes great expectations of a lovely meal.

Bumping, kind of . . . Is there any traditional Pittsburgh form of bbq or any chicken speciality that's indigenous? I'm supposed to make something for the Steelers game tomorrow and I'm afraid I am clueless. Based on this thread I looked at Primanti's website and The Strip website but nothing really leapt out at me. Ideas? TIA

Welcome back. Don't be too discouraged - to be sure, there are many chains and more opening daily, it seems, but there is a very good collection of creative, high-quality independent restaurants as well. The actual P&L development is, sadly, mostly chain (or chain-ish) but there are real restaurants, cafes and bars opening in the area as well, and The Crossroads not far to the south so it's not all bad news. The chains are concentrated in the 'burbs and on The Plaza (naturally there are exceptions to that but generally speaking).

I can tell the previous respondents aren't from Kansas City - or perhaps they know something about Japan that I do not - can you smoke/grill? You don't have to have an official smoker - depending on what you have available you can probably craft something. But perhaps it's illegal or implausible where you are. [i do remember getting some odd looks from the neighbors when we lived in Michigan; we shoveled our way outside, brushed the snow off of the ol' Weber and proceeded to make Thanksgiving dinner. Apparently they put their outdoor cookers away in the winter. Who knew?] Note to torakris: I ruined my mother's Thanksgiving meal by deciding to arrive just as dinner was served. I hope that's no indication of how your son will turn out!

I think we need a separate "master class" for these Irish blokes - they are genetically predisposed and the rest of us simply cannot compete with them. Or perhaps a handicapping system? Maggie?

Excellent choices. Much more practical and long-lasting than those names of yesteryear that people used to dub their offspring with. Faith, Hope, Charity. These names at least are edible, and easier to live up to possibly. ← But wouldn't it make you hungry every time you called their names? And can't you just hear the shrewish Sybil Fawlty screeching "Basil!"?

I started a thread over on the Food Media and News Forum about this, but thought it merited a mention and a link in this KC media digest so The Heartland folks would be certain to see it. Local writer Charles Ferruzza (whom I have still never met, FWIW) was included in the Marlowe & Co.-published Best Food Writing 2006. His review of SO Redux, Reality Bites, appears in the "Reviewing Life" section. Congratulations! (If you're lurking out there somewhere.)