Katie Nell

Hhmmm.... I knew this about Pachamama's, but not Piropo's.

My little brother (straight, yes) is ADDICTED to GG. I bought him seasons 1 and 2 on DVD for Christmas. I have him over for dinner on Tuesday and we watch it together. ← I'm so mad I missed this thread the first time around!!! I CANNOT miss GG or Crossing Jordan... those are my two! I think you are the nicest sister there ever was... I'll trade my little brother for you!

Freeze dried spaghetti in a bag (along with camp stove and mongo bowie knife) and power bars for breakfast. "Breakfast Santa" delivered breakfast in bed. ← There was a reference to two famous chefs, but now I don't remember who they were! Maybe Bourdain? (It wasn't anyone like Emeril or Rachael.)

That's why I left it blank. I hope someone posts about some that they're excited about. ← as did i... so i'm not alone? sigh... i haven't had a good onion ring in YEARS... u.e. ← Well I know it's a long drive for onion rings, but I'm serious, the one's at BoBo's in Topeka are the best ever! However, they aren't thick like the ones Zeemanb describes, so maybe they're not quite what you are looking for. They are light, crispy, and you can bite them in half without losing all of your onion... very important factor for me!

Uh... have you been to Topeka?!? Seriously though, thank you for reporting back... it sounds like a great restaurant for Columbia. I haven't been there for years, but I always kind of liked Columbia... I didn't remember it being that bad of a chain mecca?

Now, I know Wendy said to use my best judgement, but I'm also the same person that has no idea how many that 5 lb. roast is going to feed in the end either. I'm clueless when it comes to knowing how much a pile of ingredients is going to end up as. And toffee is certainly not something I would want to be messing around with while I'm searching for a pan to put it in. Also, I've tried the above brownie recipe in a regular 12x9 pan, and it didn't work! Does anyone have the answer to the above question? I'm sure it's a simple answer and I've just made a baking ignoramous out of myself! ← Without seeing the recipe, it won't be possible to answer that question. Most brownie recipes call for 8-9" square or a 13x9" pan. If you tell us what the recipe calls for, we can determine the volume of the ingredients and tell you which pan would be best. When you tried the recipe in the 12x9, what do you mean that it didnt work? Did it overflow the pan, was it thin as a pancake, did it not set? ← I don't really think it's a matter of volume here... surely there is a pan size that the recipes are referring to. One of the recipes is from epicurious and the other from Martha Stewart. I'm not wondering what size I need for the volume of ingredients I have... I'm wondering what size of pans they are referring to when they say "rimmed baking sheet" or "small rimmed baking sheet." Sorry if that wasn't clear. When I put the brownies in the 12x9 the middle was underdone, and the outside was completely dried out, when I made them in the "Texas Sheet Cake" pan they came out perfectly.

I never got the answer to my question on the pan sizes thread, so I'm posting it here, b/c I want to know!! Now, I know Wendy said to use my best judgement, but I'm also the same person that has no idea how many that 5 lb. roast is going to feed in the end either. I'm clueless when it comes to knowing how much a pile of ingredients is going to end up as. And toffee is certainly not something I would want to be messing around with while I'm searching for a pan to put it in. Also, I've tried the above brownie recipe in a regular 12x9 pan, and it didn't work! Does anyone have the answer to the above question? I'm sure it's a simple answer and I've just made a baking ignoramous out of myself!

Best Hot Dog: Not a huge hotdog fan; I don't believe I've ever ordered one in a restaurant, although I was watching Food Network this weekend and everyone's favorite, Rachael Ray, showed the "Feenie Weenie" at Feenie's restaurant in Vancover and it looked pretty darn good! Best Pizza: Waldo's... love the whole wheat crust! (I do like Papakeno's too though... tough choice!) Best Felafel: I've never even had felafel!!! Best Mediterranean: The Mad Greek in Lawrence... did we determine if that was cheating or not?! I love the Flaming Cheese! Most romantic restaurant (Fitting for today, huh?!): I found Cafe Trio to be pretty romantic, but I think any restaurant can be romantic on the right night! Best Bar: Haven't been to very many, and the ones I have been to have been chosen by the rest of the group, and sorry to say, Fred P. Otts is not going to make my list for anything... shoot!! It just did! Best Brunch: So far, Yahooz, but haven't been to very many yet. Funny thing is, this is probably my favorite meal! What's that about?!? Best Soul Food: Haven't really tried any yet, although I designed a Soul Food restaurant my final year at K-state! Best Onion Rings: I'm going to cheat on this one... Bo Bo's in Topeka... no contest! Best Interior Decor at a Restaurant: Yia Yia's or Pachamama's, thus far Best View at a Restaurant: Piropo's Best Mainstream Grocery Store: Hen House at 135th and Metcalf... it's always clean, and I love the way all the produce is lined up just so! Best Specialty Shop: The Better Cheddar, but does anyone else have a hard time spending $30 on a wedge of cheese? I have to walk away from the register while my boyfriend pays! (And I know, I know, that's not even that much in comparison!)

Best of Kansas City, Round 2 (per Moosnsqrl's request with some of my own added) (I don't want it to end!!!!) Best Hot Dog: Best Pizza: Best Felafel: Best Mediterranean: Most romantic restaurant (Fitting for today, huh?!): Best Bar: Best Brunch: Best Soul Food: Best Onion Rings: Best Interior Decor at a Restaurant: Best View at a Restaurant: Best Mainstream Grocery Store: Best Specialty Shop: Again, feel free to add your own categories!!

you're no fun... seriously, if i had known that option was available, i'd have picked the same!! ← NOT AN OPTION!!!

I have a question about pan sizes too, not for an immediate problem, but just for future reference. I have two recipes, one is for toffee, and calls for a "small rimmed baking sheet." The other recipe is for brownies and calls for a "rimmed baking sheet." What exactly are they referring to? I've always used a 12x9 cake pan for the toffee and what we call our "Texas Sheet Cake Pan," which I think might be 11x17, for the brownies, and they both have always turned out fine. But, I would like to know exactly what size they are talking about here.

What about just making sugar cookies and using icing to write? I've seen this done somewhere before and am thinking about doing it this year. I might make them for my boyfriend's work and write "I "heart" ________ (insert name of company he works for.) Cheesy, but I'm sure they'll like it!

not that i don't like fat burgers - the "super greasy and thin patties" tempt me more, hence my favor of winstead's cheeseburger - but it sounds like t.t. might give winstead's a run for their money in my tummy! i know where that is!! it sits alone - like an oasis of grease - i always s(mell)ee it driving on broadway. thanks jwest! cheers. u.e. ← YES!! I've been wanting to try it so bad... I knew they must have good cheeseburgers, I just knew it!

Yeah, I probably should have done that to begin with... carry on... Best Asian anyone?

Ah... I think we can be friends JWest!!! TRY TWISTERS!!! I love their concrete with brownie chunks, chocolate custard, pecans, and caramel... TO DIE FOR!!! Have you tried the Caramel Pretzel Crunch at Sheridan's? It's awesome too!

so many people say that... i've really tried to like the plaza iii, but everytime i go, i'm really disappointed with their meat. it even tastes wet-aged to me (and poorly done at that)... with all of the pleased customers like you, tracy, i must be having really off-experiences (or at least i hope so!!) ← I've only been there once and it was a catered event, so I'm assuming that the quality would not be the same, but based on my experience, it was a flavorless, tough steak. And it was not even close to medium, which was what I had ordered! I do want to try it again though, and order off the menu. I'm sure they have different stuff for the catered events.

Excellent category! My Most Want to Visit: bluestem, Tonic, Lidia's, (thanks for adding a new one guys... there goes my paycheck!) American, Room 39... so many restaurants, so little time!

Dang-it Katie, I'm trying to get some work done around here! But, you offer too tempting of a "break." [edited to enable link] ← Why do you think I started the list?!? (To avoid work!!!)

Best Everyday Restaurant (i.e. cheap and easy): If we are including Lawrence, Wheatfield's. If not, Waldo's Pizza is pretty good. Best All-around Restaurant (cost doesn't matter): Pachamama's, if we're including Lawrence, 1924 Main, if we're not Best Breakfast and Best Mexican: I'm combining these two, because for the last three Saturdays we've eaten at La Tienda Casa Paloma and we love it! We haven't eaten there for lunch or dinner yet, but their french toast is the best I've ever had. I think it's so comfy in there, and I love the owner. (Gracias!) Best Barbeque: I haven't sampled it all, but so far Jack Stack is at the top of my list, for the cheesy corn alone. Best Italian: Moosnsqrl has turned me on to Cupini's and I love it also, the people are so nice! We haven't even eaten at the restaurant yet, but we bought their Thanksgiving dinner, and we've sampled their fresh pasta and sauce at home. We also like Il Trullo, but have only been there once and it was a while ago. Best Chinese: Golden Leaf... probably not traditional after reading ulterior epicure's blog about traditional Chinese, but still good! And it's in our 'hood! Best Ice Cream: Twisters... I'm addicted! My boyfriend says they know him by name! Best Cheeseburger: L.C.'s (not the bbq place, but the drive-in hamburger joint) Best French Fries: Used to be Hannah's Bistro and I haven't found a replacement yet! Best restaurant on the Kansas side (if your best restaurant pick was on the MO side): I still love to eat at Yia Yia's! Note to anyone who might read this and who might have some influence: BRING BACK THE APPLE PIE!!!

I want to know what your picks are for my "Best of" list. Maybe I'll learn some new ones and maybe you will too! Best Everyday Restaurant (i.e. cheap and easy): Best All-around Restaurant (cost doesn't matter): Best Breakfast: Best Barbeque: Best Mexican: Best Italian: Best Chinese: Best Ice Cream: Best Cheeseburger: Best French Fries: Best restaurant on the Kansas side (if your best restaurant pick was on the MO side): Best restaurant on the Missouri side (if your best restaurant pick was on the KS side): Feel free to add your own categories... obviously, I picked some of my favorites! I will weigh in here in a little bit... I need to think on it a bit!

i prefer "crusty..." not that i don't love bluestem, but i don't think that "colby" should be thrown around exclusively as k.c.'s only fine-dining/good quality dining option. ← I haven't actually been to bluestem... I was mostly teasing, b/c it seems as if everyone here always compares to them.

You guys are a bunch of curmudgeons!!! Not everyone can be Colby, apparently!

My whole family ate there for $250 (5 of us,) so I can't believe that you have to spend $200 to have a good meal there!

I'm truly surprised that you had such a bad experience. We've been there twice, and while I ordered the wrong thing the second time, we've enjoyed it immensely. I've only ever ordered and sampled (others) pork or seafood, so I can't speak on behalf of the steaks. The scallops were some of the most tender and best that we've ever had (in the Midwest.) The pork tenderloin that I got the first time around was amazing. The second time I ordered some kind of a pork tenderloin that had been pan fried, which I would have never ordered had I realized what I was ordering (can't remember why there was confusion.) At any rate, we've always been impressed with the food, with the exception of the desserts... they are pretty boring.

jgm... I just bought a book that you need to stay away from!!! "Fancy Pantry" by Helen Witty... oh my god... you would never come out of your house!