moosnsqrl

I've missed this thread somehow and now Z is offline and unable to defend himself (pure coincidence - honest ). The American Royal is up to 500 teams this year. Their ability to shoe-horn additional spaces into the same area year after year is on a par with the University of Michigan football stadium. Will someone please tell them that we, as a nation, are getting bigger, not smaller? Especially at a BBQ contest - *think* about it. But I digress. . . all of Z's points are well-taken, though. If you want to enjoy the concept of competition bbq without the logistical challenges posed by the Royal, this is a great deal. If you wish to familiarize yourself with the rules (unlike, apparently, Z and Mike ) the KCBS handbook can be downloaded free here. Sausage is an add-on at the Royal (among others) but does not count in the overall score. Should be a good event (the gallon of gloppy Masterpiece and rather disturbing interpretive dance notwithstanding ). Thanks for calling it to our collective (but not individual) attention.

Can you conjugate "ambassador" for us? I rather like it but would be afraid I would misuse it Edited to fix quotes

I posted this long, long ago. Last time I ran into Tim (July-ish) he was predicting an October opening. It looks like he and Terry Barkley (Nara) may be coming online at roughly the same time, having both suffered lengthy delays. But good things come to those who wait, so our patience (and theirs) should be rewarded soon.

Wow, it sounds like we all need to get down there and check out the fall menu! I think I'll try to hold-off until the Art Fair is over, though. I wouldn't be too afraid of Big Country - unless he's brandishing a chef's knife

KC Media Digest for week of September 21-27, 2006 The Kansas City Star Food Section In Eating For Life, Jill Silva navigates the now-complicated process of choosing the right peanut butter and offers a recipe for a redux of that lunch box classic, the peanut butter cookie Lauren Chapin reviews Charcuterie, a title with which eG Society members are familiar. In Come Into My Kitchen, we meet a retired educator, pole vaulter and baker who is working on his own recipe collection. Gail Borelli writes of the link between schoolyard gardens and healthful eating habits in Reap It and Eat. Doug Frost explains the affect of the latest wine shipping laws and tells us why they still have a long way to go before coming to fruition. With the autumnal equinox the area Farmer's Markets begin to wind down. Be sure to visit one of the many we are fortunate to have in the area while there is still time. Preview Section Lauren Chapin revisits Vivace in the City Market area. They have a new chef (James Landis, formerly Sous Chef at Le Fou Frog) and some lunch specials that the reviewer enjoyed. The Pitch Charles Ferruzza heads to the west bottoms for some straight-forward diner fare at Jerry's Woodswether Cafe. In My Big Fat Mouth we learn why, after months of anticipation, Nara (the new Robata restaurant in the Crossroads) is still not open for business. KCUR 89.3 FM The food critics were pre-empted last Friday but Thursday's Walt Bodine Show featured several of our area's urban farmers. Katherine Kelly (of the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture), joins other local growers to discuss raising food on vacant urban lots. Crumbs The 75th Plaza Art Fair is this weekend (if you're traveling and have plans to shop or dine on The Plaza, you'll want to take note as parking and traffic will affect you). Click here for a list of culinary offerings. If cruising for 'Que is more your style, the annual Shawnee contest is this weekend. Details available here. <><><><><> 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. <><><><><>

Sadly (but not surprisingly) no fresh spinach of any sort, but . . . I was surprised that some of the foods were on the "no longer available" list. I spend little time in the center part of the store as a rule but chili weather has arrived and I wanted some canned tomatos and beans, so there I was. In any case, I found quite a few items on that list in my regular ol' grocery. So now I'm wondering if they're available only in the midwest ("Hey, let's ship all of our old canned goods to Kansas - they'll never notice!" ) or if they're just using the power of suggestion as a marketing tool?

I'd like to add Earthbound Farm's Baby Spinach to the list. Having been OOT throughout the "situation" I am heading to the grocery shortly and am distressed to think of what I will find in the produce aisle. My own fall greens aren't quite 'there' yet.

Yes, it's from Five Easy Pieces =R= ← "And hold it between your knees," as I recall. A classic illustration of why this thread (or many of my replies to it) exit(s).

Continuing bravely on . . . I think I will call the Reader's Rep and ask if we might set up a conference call with Lauren. Would any or all of you participate if I could arrange it? I really think it might be beneficial or at least educational. I really don't imagine for a minute that she is intentionally misleading people so I have to think that she might appreciate (if not enjoy) hearing some of our perceptions about her descriptions not matching up with the star ratings, etc. Since some of you [apparently wisely] treasure your anonymity, I thought a conference call would be the way to go. Thoughts? I have no idea if she will agree to this but, after this discussion, it seems to me a reasonable next step.

Wow, I never really wanted to eat there before but now I feel curiously drawn to.

I enjoyed a nice lunch there ~a month ago (but was too lazy to report ). I had a burger (odd choice for recently recovering vegetarian) and it was SO good I still remember it. I have no idea what they did to make it so special (maybe it was just cooked properly) but it killed. I noticed they had the "chef's bar" (vs. Chef's Table) and need to do that on the next visit. If I'm not mistaken, Crystal (who was interning at Webster House several years ago) is working there now, so it would be like old times sitting at the counter there and kibbetzing with the crew.

I have never met, nor spoken to Charles Ferruzza in my life, nor have I ever heard my name mentioned on the show. Curious where you got those ideas? I don't understand how you reconcile these two points but if you're willing to overlook 3.5-star shoe leather and still give her props for thoughtfulness, so be it. I think, if you will re-read (or perhaps read for the first time) my post, you will see that I encourage citing specific examples of the inconsistencies, etc as discussed upthread in the interest of improving the reviews. There are more productive ways to express yourself than ad hominem attacks and it seems more genuine to direct our concerns to the publication - as I have regarding other sections of the paper, not just restaurant reviews - that is, in fact, what the Reader's Representative is for.

Yes, welcome, Aaron. Sorry I wasn't there to greet you when you arrived Back on topic (since Ronnie seems determined to try and herd cats ). . . We all seem to share disappointment, dismay and dissatisfaction with the quality and consistency of the reviewing. May I suggest contacting the Readers' Representative with specific, concrete examples and concerns? I have corresponded a bit with the editor of Preview but I think it might be more effective to step outside of that editorial 'vertical' and draw-in a more neutral third party. I would particularly encourage those who are recently relocated to KC - it's been a decade since I lived outside The Star's territory and, although I read other critics online, it's not quite the same as having reliable, trustworthy reviews where you live. It seems Aaron, in particular, who just arrived and may want some guidance to KC restaurants, has a legitimate concern to take to them. KC Star's Readers' Representative

A little splash of wine or white vermouth to vegetables has a salt-like affect, too. Good luck - my mother was placed on a diet like this about 10 days before Thanksgiving and it really opened my eyes to just what a challenge this is, trying to put a traditional meal on the table without violating her dietary restrictions. Oy! We drove around for days hunting and gathering but it can be done, so take heart.

KC Media Digest for week of September 14-20, 2006 The Kansas City Star In the Food Section Janet Majure looks at a new hybrid lifestyle and diet - flexitarian. Jill Silva offers a lighter version of an old favorite, quiche with phyllo crust in Eating For Life. In Come Into My Kitchen, Janet Majure visits with a home cook whose culinary and singing styles favor Sinatra. If your backyard garden is winding down for the season, don't despair - there are still plenty of area farmer's markets going strong. In the Star's Preview Section Lauren Chapin reviews Shields Manor Bistro. (As I see the locals have already duly noted and critiqued while I was traveling yesterday ) The Pitch Charles Ferruzza visits the venerable Bristol Seafood Grill, in anticipation of their return to downtown as a part of the Power & Light District. And in My Big Fat Mouth attempts to document the many comings and goings on Southwest Boulevard. KCUR 89.3 FM The food critics return (in about 5 minutes!). Join me at www.kcur.org and click on 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'm confused - are we talking about your first ICA judging or Hungry Detective?

The "bacon toss" - to see who could get a slice of bacon to stick on a clock face from approximately 20 paces. It really took some practice and some skill. I'm not proud but . . .

Hie thee to La Cucina di Mama (adjacent to Bella Napoli). Fewer choices but I think their Neopolitan-style (duh) pizza will cure some of the ills addressed above, U.E. And the ingrediements [sic] are primo, plus you can pick up a few things to take home and toss on your next housemade pie. And tell Jake (the proprietor) he's a PITA. He loves that.

No, I'm pretty sure her last name is "and Lazer."

I thought the rain in Spain fell mainly on the plain

Cooking with Paula Deen again, SB?

Good point. Move Time Warner a bit south into the garishness of Times Square and there you are - Vegas east! But drawing that parallel makes me think of "The Chef has lost his shoes" in Ruhlman's "Reach Of" book. And that kind of makes me sad about the whole mega-restaurant/mega-chef world.

End of the world? Did I say that? You're absolutely right about my feelings about Las Vegas. And, being human, it of course does color my judgement about all things related to the city. But I did have a good - if not outstanding - meal there. If the trend continued in any of the 3 cities you mentioned, I should be quite surprised but in a very different way Anyway, I love salt so I'm happy to take anything with a grain or two.

and and The apologetica re: the large group arriving doesn't ring true: perhaps that explains the accompaniment on the trout being overcooked, but it sure as hell doesn't explain a kitchen plating slimy, past date salad greens! nor does it explain missteps in flavor balance and selection. Her review reads as though 1/3-1/2 of all dishes had a serious problem. This merits 3 stars precisely....how? ← Oh, no! Not you, too Perhaps we're just too dense to crack the code? The duh-Vinci code of star ratings? Maybe it's just a concidence but I noticed (and pointed out) upthread that the more-or-less-permanent listings (under the title "The Star Recommends") features only previously reviewed restaurants that received 3 stars or better. So, although those of us who follow and scrutinize such things may find the numeric rating INconsistent with the prosaic description, it would be represent a bit more of a slap to give less than three as they would not appear in print until she reviews them again. Not saying it's right - just speculating about the possible explanation for the apparent discrepancy. Edited because I left off two letters rather important to the meaning.

Oh, now, there you go again, UE. Always trying to apply logic to everything.