Zeemanb

For anyone who doesn't already know about it and happens to be looking for plans this holiday weekend, the "Great American BBQ" is being held at the Woodlands (97th St. and Leavenworth Rd in KCK). This is only the second year for this contest, and from what I have heard it's a lot of fun and way less cramped than the American Royal in general size and also the parking situation. Chileheadmike and I are on a team this year, opting for this event over the Royal later in the year. I'll post a link to the website below. I know there are all kinds of musical acts, fireworks, hot air balloon races, etc. Since the price of admission does NOT include any BBQ (I always include this disclaimer since the media tends to be ambiguous at best and misleading at worst when it comes to advertising these things), they have a section where different teams will be providing food. You'll be able to buy tickets and trade them for various items. It's supposed to be warm and sunny this weekend, come on out! Great American BBQ

Judy, if it will make you feel any better I'll let you join in the next time I trick Mike into thinking his finger bowl is an amuse bouche.

There are so many bong/back alley/neighbor jokes running through my head right now that I just can't pick one......

Sorry to hear about anyone having a bad experience at Lidia's. I go there quite a bit, and with the exception of an overcooked veggie or raviolo that have gotten stuck in a big mass on a really busy night, my experiences have usually been outstanding. Don't think I'll get to make it to any of the upcoming special events, but I DID notice the new menu includes an appetizer with sweetbreads and an entree with chicken livers. I guess I can stop winging stuff at the kitchen staff now.

Definitely Italian Steak Sandwiches on the menu at Sorrento's. That was the next thing I was planning to tackle. Katie, those burgers at LC's are too great. Your Sonic comment reminds me of where I just moved from in Waldo.....a Sonic opened right across the street from Max's Autodiner and it was easy to tell pretty quickly they put a big dent in Max's business. The cool thing was there are plenty of defiant locals in Waldo that would be damned before they'd cross the street to Sonic. Plus, Big Lots is right in the same parking lot with Max's....so it's a no-brainer.

I haven't been to Pacific Grill yet, and again can't remember if it was the Pitch or Star where I read one review. The place looks crowded whenever I go by, but I think I'll get my parents to take the bullet again and check that one out. They are good sports that way.

Forgot one! (Cafe Cedar at) The Skillet- (Approx. 1st St. and 9 Hwy, next to the Post Office) I've driven by The Skillet at least once a day since December, and have always wondered what it was like. They seem to do a decent amount of business, and people generally have good things to say about it. We went to lunch last week and had their daily buffet ($7.99). I can't remember if it was the Pitch or Star that mentioned it in recent weeks, but Cafe Cedar and The Skillet were both owned by the same family and are now under the same roof (Cafe Cedar used to be farther down the street). The new dinner menu is something to behold....middle eastern food and fried chicken. For one thing, from the outside I didn't picture the restaurant being so nice and comfy, but it's good and homey inside. For $7.99 the lunch buffet is a great deal. Standard salad bar that is kept very fresh, a couple of different sauteed vegetables more in the style of middle eastern than southern food, with the exception of the green beans. Real mashed potatoes, thick cream gravy, and of course fried chicken. There was also a chicken and pasta offering but I didn't try it. The fried chicken is cooked very well, no complaints as far as the meat goes but I'm not a big fan of the way it is breaded. The breading is very soft and crumbly, and there is a lot of it. Not terrible, just not my favorite preparation. We'll definitely be back for dinner, the thought of a hummus appetizer followed by chicken fried steak is too good to pass up.

I took vacation time last week and used some of it to visit restaurants near or semi-near my home in Parkville. In all, I'm pretty happy with what we've found thus far. I'll still be venturing out of the 'hood from time to time, but it's nice to know there are some good locally owned places very close to home. I think I'll keep adding to this thread as time and diet-dodging allows. There are just a ton of intriguing little places in the immediate area. Sorrento's Italian Café (2502 NW Vivion Rd, Riverside, MO 64150) Not exactly across the street from me, but I'm down at Red X and Al's Junk (my ideas of shopping paradise) all the time, and it's in the same strip mall as Al's. Sorrento's is truly run by an Italian grandmother and her kids, with the kind of personable service and cheer that reminded me of Tienda Casa Paloma out on Metcalf. You order and pick up your food at the cash register, and the menu is varied with nothing over ten dollars as far as I recall. This is not fast food, almost everything is cooked to order. Lots of sandwiches…. Italian beef, chicken parm, spiedini, a giant tenderloin, and a decent selection of Italian deli meats (including mortadella, which I don't see on too many deli menus around here) and cheeses so you can create-your-own sandwich. Dinners include standards like lasagna, fettucine alfredo, ravioli, and a few different noodles, sauces and meats to choose from. There are a few different desserts….cheesecake and cannoli for sure. One cool thing is that you can order Italian wedding cookies, (which I'm sure have a proper name but that's all I've ever known them as) like the ones I always remember on display at Mario's in Westport. A good attitude and love of the business goes a long, long way with me, so that alone warrants Sorrento's as a "find" in my opinion, but the Italian beef sandwich I had also warrants a trip back there pretty soon. Good chewy bread, thinly sliced beef, peppers…totally soaked and messy. Good stuff. The chicken spiedini sandwich looked good too. A nice little Italian café down in Riverside, between Al's Junk and East Coast Al's tattoo parlor….who woulda thunk? Do check it out when you have time, they are some nice people. LC's Hamburgers (7612 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64151) Coming back from doing some errands I thought I should visit someplace on Prairie View Road that WASN'T McDonald's, Hardee's, Long John's, Papa John's, etc. The first choice would usually be In-A-Tub, because their deep fried tacos are glorious. I think they put the tacos into the cold oil and bring the whole thing up to temperature to cook them, and for that I commend them. Anyway, I took a chance and stopped by LC's (not to be confused w/LC's BBQ). Really, really good burgers. The buns are of the braided top variety, and the meat patties are similar to Fritz's or Winstead's but larger. By that I mean they are relatively thin with the crisp edges. Grilled onions automatically come with the burger, and they cook it all so the cheese melts thoroughly and is incorporated into the onions and meat. If they put hashbrowns onto the burger a la Fritz's Kitchen Sink, it would rank right up near the top of my favorite burger list. Very dangerous place. Need to stay away. Café de Amis (112 Main St, Parkville, MO 64152) For some reason, in the months since we moved to the area, my girlfriend and I hadn't spent an evening in downtown Parkville until last Wednesday. Oh wait, I know the reason....new home owner poverty. It was her birthday and we got late start and wanted to stay close to home, so Café de Amis seemed like a good choice. It's a very nice space up on the second floor, the service was great, and I guess people either eat early or it's pretty slow on a weeknight. We started with the tapenade noir, and the salad of goat cheese over croutons and mixed greens. For our entrees she had the jumbo shrimp in olive oil, diced tomatoes and white wine sauce. I had the duck breast in a fig port reduction. No complaints about any of the food. In fact, the jumbo shrimp may have been the most perfectly done we've had, because even though she loves her seafood cooked to death and I don't we both thought they were spectacular. Any dish that brings the extremes of our palates together in harmony HAS to be perfect. The only word of warning I'd give to anyone is that portions may prompt debate amongst diners. Most entrees are in the $25 range, and while I think they are a decent value because of the quality, romantic setting, and obvious high rent for a downtown Parkville space, others may disagree. Since there are so many options available in that price range, I'll admit that if I was up for a drive I'd try someplace new instead of running right back there, but I'd definitely go back. Another thing worth mentioning is the coffee. It is fantastic. I roast my own coffee and I drink it strong, so if I can actually discern a coffee flavor in what I'm served in a restaurant I'm usually pretty impressed. Theirs has flavor and then some, a deep bittersweet back end to it. The Roasterie does their blend, and they did say it was available at the downtown shop. We skipped dessert and headed down to the Sweet Guy before they closed to pick up a few truffles. The dark chocolate and pistachio truffles are a winner. Rancho Grande Cantina (11015 NW Highway 45, Parkville, MO 64152) This place is in the strip mall right next to Parker's BBQ, a half mile or so west of the entrance to The National. I went there for a family get together yesterday, and I don't have any extensive notes but will say it is some pretty good standard American Tex-Mex style Mexican food. It is apparently very popular with the local crowd, they were near full capacity a little after noon. Spinach queso dip, Chimichangas, huge Burritos, flautas, you already know the menu by heart and whether you'd like it from what I'm mentioning. Their rice and beans are very good, with the rice being of the fluffy, dry variety. The cheese and onion enchiladas are good, portions are big, and I think most dinners are under ten dollars. It's another family friendly spot run by a friendly family. For a good, safe Mexican meal I definitely recommend it. Especially if you've got people hankering for Abuelo's, or god forbid……On The Border. Rancho Grande is a great locally owned option for Tex-Mex, and now that I think of it….hangover remedy shangri-la. On a different note, I have been meaning to try Ixtapa up on Barry Road. Someone told me they have some good authentic dishes to try. Also wanted to mention………..Even though I haven't eaten there myself, my parents did go to the brand new "Ray's Inn Shrimp and Crab Shack" right up the road from me in the Parkville Commons. I totally trust their opinion when it comes to seafood, and according to them the fried oysters, shrimp, etc. were "fair to bad" being overcooked with way too much breading. The boiled selections….shrimp and crab legs were much better, but everything is on the pricey side for being a pretty casual restaurant. Entrees are all in the $20+ range, inconsistent with the quality and quantity of food. Thanks mom and dad for taking the bullet on that one!! I'll follow up with more stuff as time and calories allow……...

I'm no expert on brandade, as far as knowing how it was prepared. Plus, we're hosting Mojito Fest 2006 at my house this evening, but anyway....the brandade was presented on the plate in a creamy brush stroke from the center of the plate out to the edge. Judy was under the impression that they kept putting dirty dishes in front of us anytime the chefs used a brush, and we didn't want to rile her so we played along. Don't tell her I said that.

I believe it's $100 for the 12 courses, and another $35 (big bargain IMHO) for the wine pairings. There's another seven course chef's tasting menu available every night, the impulsive collection is only available Mon-Thu. The collection menu on a weeknight is the way to go as far as I'm concerned...it's just more relaxed than a weekend evening and you get to try new dishes that may or may not be seen again. Not sure when I'll see morels again like the ones we had last night.....

Alrighty, a quick report on a wonderful night at Bluestem enjoying the Impulsive Collection..... I went with Moosnsqrl and Chileheadmike last night, and we enjoyed a full four hours of top tier dining and absolutely riveting conversations about the merits of something being so good "I'd eat that off a car bumper" and "I don't know where you get your snails, but where I get mine they don't come seasoned". Dave Crum even came in on his night off for fear of leaving Colby alone to defend himself. Seriously, it was a fantastic meal. I'll include some comments, and leave the rest to Judy and Mike. The impulsive collection is absolutely the way to go, and do give a few days notice if at all possible and you may get to play "guinea pig" for some new preparations and combinations of flavor. Jeremy's wine service was stellar, it can't be easy to hit the mark with all ten wines but he managed to do it. I hadn't been to Bluestem since last year, so this was my first visit to the lounge. The expansion has been an improvement in every way...you enter through the lounge so the dining room doesn't get crowded, and it provides for a much more relaxed experience. Anyway, here's the menu to the best of my recollection. Feel free to correct me here if I get something wrong..... * Amuse- shot glass w/cucumber, lime, melon ball, white wine foam, tarragon * Crudo of scallop, watermelon, radish, yuzu gelee? Wine- Greco di Tuffo Terredora, Campania, Italy * Oyster (charged w/carbon dioxide), avocado, soy, lotus root, cucumber Wine- Muscadet Serer et Maine, Loire Valley, France This was an oustanding combination of flavors, I hope to see it worked into the regular menu. Lotus root and avocado as the ultimate "chips and dip" with the charged oyster in the middle. * Burgundy Escargot Wine- Trimbach Pinot Blanc According to someone at the table, Bluestem NEVER does a classic presentation of escargot.........heh heh. That is until last night. Good stuff, with the shell holding onto the ultimate butter "shooter". * Foie gras torchon, peanut butter, strawberries w/chopped mint and rhubarb gelee Wine- Inniskillen Ice Wine I'm totally biased, but I think the torchon at Bluestem is one of the best foie preparations ever (Chicago folks, feel free to come down and check it out.... ). The accompaniments last night, reminiscent of PB&J, were the perfect addition. * Pea soup, sherry sabayon, pink peppercorns, pea shoots Wine- Gruner Veltliner The amount of flavor the chefs get from fresh peas and a little broth is a mystery.........oustanding. * Tasmanian trout, saffron broth, brandade, spring garlic Wine- Solitude Chardonnay, Carneros, California You just don't see brandade on enough menus these days. * Hamachi, laurel, green tea emulsion, chorizo Wine- Carmela Benegas Rose, Mendoza, Argentina Up to this point in the menu this was probably my favorite dish. Put a good sear on a piece of fish and you've got me. The mild chorizo (and tiny diced potato?) made this a surprisingly rich dish. * Wagyu flatiron, morroccan olive, almond crusted asparagus Wine- Aglianico Rubrato San Gregorio (sp???) Campania, Italy Not a lot to say about this one.....it speaks for itself. I don't think anyone said anything the whole time we were eating it, which is saying alot because apparently Mike and Judy know every hippie who has ever lived in Lawrence....and all of their family members.....and pets.... * Elysian Fields lamb, fava bean puree, veal jus, morel Wine- Gago Tempranillo, Spain * Colorado goat cheese, mostardo, nut bread Wine- Sherry Great cheese, but the thing that stuck out in this course was the mostardo (sp?). Little slivers of pear and apple that have been candied in sugar, horseradish and mustard oil. I believe Colby said it is from Italy, and other than cheese I'm not sure what it could be used with, but it beats the heck out of the usual quince or citrus paste you get with most cheese courses. * Spring Mint ice cream sandwich, something with basil, berry ‘drops’ (served cruelly atop a mirror!) Wine- Moscato di Asti, Piedmont, Italy The humble ice cream sandwich may literally be my favorite dessert, even the cheapo kind you got back in the school cafeteria. The homemade fresh spring mint ice cream in this one was so great. I'd go hang out in the lounge after work just to have the foie gras and this dessert. * Champagne float, chocolate truffle It was around this time that Colby joined us for a bit and we started chatting about how sous vide could take the BBQ world by storm. I'd had a lot of wine and food at this point, and I'm not sure I followed it completely, but whatever is gonna get me new toys in the kitchen sounds good. Anyway, thanks once again to the staff at Bluestem. That was a fantastic, relaxing meal.

Catching the show for the first time tonight as they re-run the finale. Guy seems like a decent enough character, but I had NO IDEA that Corey Feldman and Sammy Hagar even had kids together!!

I wonder if there's some promotional angle that restaurants will be able to use that will keep them from "selling" foie gras. Giving it away for free with the purchase of something else marked up an extra two hundred percent?

It's only my opinion as well, but I came to the same conclusion during and after my meal at Manresa in November. I thought of it as more naive than jaded at the time, since I have yet to eat at TFL, but I did feel as if I were experiencing a moment in Chef Kinch's vision that may or may not be repeated simply because he IS still evolving. Did I eat what may become Manresa "classics" or were just a brief stop on his journey? In either case, I really, really, really want to make it back there. Manresa made a lifelong impression on me, whether I never eat a comparable meal again, or it serves as a milestone in a lifetime of fine meals to come. After reading doc & molto e's report I've been going back over my menu and tasting notes, trying to think of some clever way to tie in the last few sentences of "On The Road" with Manresa as ol' Dean Moriarty.........but apparently I'm just not that clever.

My girlfriend was talking all about her day, so I'm not POSITIVE but I think I heard Tony refer to the Swedish band "The Hellacopters". No real point to my post other than to say......best band EVER.

Well the Parkville brewfest ended up kind of sucking. I should have known by the great parking space we found. It was kind of hard to find to find the party, off in the corner of a parking lot behind the Mexican restaurant in the train car. Before we bought our tickets to get in I spied a couple of guys doing the chicken dance to some bluegrass that was playing in the festival tent, so we went ahead and skipped the whole thing. There's just no way that could have ended well. We did go to the Powerplant Brewery, then to Red-X for liquor, and came back to my house and plowed through a couple of bottles of decent rum. Yeah seriously, the chicken dance. And nobody had a gun to their head or anything. Something like that will really take the wind out of your sails. BUT ANYHOO..... fresh green beans and potatoes cooked with a nice ham hock at some point tomorrow.

Met up w/Chileheadmike down at the Farmer's Market this morning and we did make it over to the new Asian megamart. Hoooooly crap that's a great store. I'll be stopping by there whenever I'm in the area just to get their huge head-on fresh shrimp for $6.99/lb. Sensory overload though, there's just too much stuff in there to try and take in all at once. BTW, we really do have a great city market. And today couldn't have been more beautiful for it. I was surprised at how much good looking produce is already down there. Did manage to find some morels. They were decent looking, but I just couldn't drop $30 for a pound of them, considering how proud I was to get green beans, potatoes, garlic and six bags of various spices for ten bucks. Does anyone know if the $1/per scoop spice guy has a brick and mortar store? Spring is here! I'd keep on rambling, but I'm a-headin' down to the Parkville Micro-brewfest (1pm to 6pm today if anyone happens to read this before then)........

Yeah, just rifled through my classic Russ Meyer collection and didn't see it either......... Last night's episode was just out of the park, absolutely my favorite thus far.

If you are anywhere near McGonigle's on 79th and Ward Parkway during the week, I think the morel guy is out front every Thursday right around this time every year. I think I remember him being there last year until July.

Daniel, I'm going to keep a copy of your review in my wallet at all times just so that I can avoid wasting words if I am ever again asked the question...."sooo what about Ooooolive Gaarden?!?!" by anyone in my family or at work. Now go and get a high colonic or whatever it takes to flush your system. Man, what sacrifice!

I need to find out when the Parkville Farmer's Market starts up too. In school this weekend or I'd be down at the Farmer's Exhibition! Markets are opening, Price Chopper has charcoal on sale this week, just got new hardware for the smokers and grills..........I'M EXCITED!!!

That is unfortunate indeed. ChefCag, in the spirit of some of the food related suggestions in this thread, do you think Megan would entertain the idea of doing a dessert tasting based on...variations on Girl Scout cookies? It could be a success, I just know it! (edited for spelling)

Chicken Fried Steak w/lots of white gravy, side of hashbrowns, biscuits-split open with 2 overeasy eggs on top. Sausage gravy covering everything but the white gravy laden steak. What a meal.....and I've got this Killdozer song going through my head now..."A man's got to be a MAN to be a man, a man's got to be a MAN to be a man...."

As far as specialty shops....for all of your BBQ'ing and Grilling needs, I stumbled upon a place near my house called "Backyard Bash". It's behind the Price Chopper near the intersection of 9 and 45 Hwys. In addition to all of the usual hardware...grills, thermometers, etc. they have a really great selection of sauces, rubs and wood for smoking (which I manage to see everywhere in town until I actually need to buy any). Super nice guy running it too.

Not to turn this into a D&D bashing thread, because I do love going there to grab lunch and agree that the staff is exceptional. However, it can be a nightmare.....I'm thinking of soccer moms in the summertime bringing in their offspring fresh from the swimming pool and letting them run rampant through the place dripping wet and chasing each other as mom tortures the employees, or the time I was waiting patiently in the sandwich line and right as I get to the front, a Joco princess steps in front of me and says, "I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry". Sure, I got to shut her down (....."yeah, then you should think about getting here earlier next time...") and it felt great, but DAMN if that place isn't the hub for self absorbed, humorless, joyless.....can't think of the right word to finish the sentence but you know what I mean. Oh, speaking of bakeries, I highly recommend a place on 13th and Central in KCK..."Laura's" I believe. Right next door to Laura's Mexican Restaurant. Great Mexican pastries, which I'm very fond of because they generally aren't as sweet. Haven't been there in at least a year, so no recent reports.