JWest

- Ask Chef Thanawat Bates to do a tasting for you at Palace Arms of The Brown Palace Hotel. I thought the food in his special spontaneous tasting menus were great about 3 years ago, and I just read a recent review that his food is even better. - Food & Wine Magazine just also named the chef at Fruition a "Best New Chef" - Restaurant Kevin Taylor always has young creative chefs in the kitchen, that might be a spot to check out as well. If you can make the trip out to Boulder (about 40 minutes) , then go there and eat at Frasca Food & Wine. This would be my number one choice, the restaurant is superb in all aspects.

I've gone a few times now and every time I've had an excellent experience with the food. Happy Hour is served 3 to 6 monday-friday, all food is 50% off and draft beer as well. I love the snacks they serve like the Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Fondue and Spicy Mustard. The Cheesecurds are addicting served with a tomato jam and I've never had a crispier fried pickles in my life. Oh and I always get the mini corn dogs too. They even have root beer on tap too, which is great for the float. I tend to find myself overeating at LBS but at half the price, I really enjoy being a fat kid. Although... I do think BLT at the Mirage has the best shakes ever... try the pbj one if you ever have a chance. Speaking of frozen treats... just went to Yogurt Land for the 4th time and they now have a Nutter Butter flavor... that with cookie dough topping is my not so secret indulgence.

Raku- I've heard nothing by great things about Raku... I still haven't been there. I know they are closed on Sundays... because I tried to go once Mesa Grill- Honestly, I would only go there for the pre fixe lunch menu served on the weekdays. For $29, it's not bad but don't go out of your way unless you needed a place to fill in a lunch slot. When the day is going great- I love to go to Bouchon for a beer and a couple of appetizers. The atmosphere is very refreshing and relaxing. For some great vietnamese off the strip, I like Pho So 1. Just great cheap food. I'm interested to hear about Picasso... anyone been? It's like the "silent" Michelin 2 restaurant. I never hear anything about the place.

Yeah, Alex closes on July 5 and re opens July 22. They close twice a year for kitchen maintenance, updating the dining room, and menu development in July and December every year.

anyone going to the Johnny Iuzzini dinner?

Food was fantastic.... Crispy Pig Ear Salad- Tons of thinly sliced and perfectly crisped pigs ear tossed with arugula, frisee, shaved radish, and a vinaigrette that I can't remember - I couldn't hear the bartender very well. but this dish was delicious. Braised Beef Tripe- This was the most tender beef tripe I've ever had. It was sliced very thin and looked like it was baked in the ceramic dish with a tomato based sauce and cheese on top. Pork Cheek- Cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly. Fork Tender served with white beans. Grilled Oyster Mushrooms- Again, another very well balanced dish.. the acid in the vinaigrette/lemon really did it here. Grilled Baby Octopus- I really felt that all these dishes just had the perfect amount of acid to balance things out, the grilled octopus itself was addicting, I wanted to eat this all day with the warm fingerling potatoes and roasted red peppers. A really outstanding meal for my girlfriend and I... we really enjoyed the atmosphere because of the energy, the warmth, and the vibrant colors. We decided to stay seated at the bar and we had a great view of the open kitchen.. which has this beautiful marble counter in the middle of it. Another great part, the prices are very reasonable... I don't think we ordered anything over $12.

Dave and I went about 2 months ago and they had the beef on weck... and it was delicious but also generously portioned as well. If I was still living in KC, I'd go every week. Oh I really like the fries too.. they're greasy, some are crispy, some are soft, and there's a lot of it. Just the way I like shoe strings! The dining room looked a lot better as well. Carrot Cake still remains as a favorite of mine.

The cassoulet was very good. With this weather, oh man... Comes out nice and hot, velvety, and the crunchy bread crumbs coating the beans and the chunky pieces of chicken was perfect. I dreamt about it when I went home that night.

Wow.. that's pretty cool.

I really do appreciate all the comments and Chris Eis is a talented chef, his food is something to try out when you have a chance. As for me.. I've moved to Las Vegas and will be starting my new job at Alex of the Wynn. Starting at the very bottom, which is exactly what I want. I don't officially start until late December and I came back to Kansas City for the holidays. I'll be working in a couple of kitchens in town as well as doing private parties, something that I haven't had much time to do in the recent past. I most likely won't be blogging but I'm always on facebook if you ever want to friend me.

bluestem has a new website design.. It has more emphasis on the quality of the restaurant and the site itself is very functional. bluestem edited: to make the link work

I hope Dave does another one!

That's because we're the ones getting the "good stuff" in the early part of the morning

Awesome review! No one deserves it more than Colby and Megan, congrats!

Went to Murray's and had the "Maui Zowie" (Pineapple, Coconut, Macadamia Nuts) ...and I wished I got the triple scoop instead of the single scoop P.S. - Can't wait to see Carrot Cake Ice Cream back.