ulterior epicure

So, as an unnamed acquaintence of mine calls her, "her royal mediocreness" visited the Plaza location of Fiorella's Jack Stack and gave it 3 1/2 stars. While I don't agree with the rating, I will say that at least the review and the score jived. She loved everything and gave it 3 1/2 stars. This makes sense. Personally, I agree with member A Patric, who said (over here), "...it takes more than the taste of cheese and corn to draw me to a restaurant."

I made good on this thread's subtitle and had my caviar and my wagyu at bluestem. A few other foodie friends and I descended upon bluestem to ravish the plates and satiate our need for good food. We did the 7-course. All of the courses were strong - but the stand-outs were the caviar course (as always) and the wagyu tartare. "Oyster stew" was probably the most challenging course in terms of complexity and appreciation. I like my oysters slurped from the shell. These were out of the shell but raw. A warm creamy celery root soup was poured over them at the table. What I loved about this course was that the soup warmed the oysters without cooking them - accentuating both the flavor and the satiny texture of the silky shellfish. My one complaint was that the fidua pasta that came with the escargot was way undercooked. Otherwise, it was flavorful and the escargot were plump, succulent and clean-tasting. I had a wonderful cheese as well - "Ewe-F-O" from the good people at Cypress Grove. I don't think there's a single cheese they've made that I haven't liked. This one was very funky - a little ripe? You can read about the dinner and my thoughts on the restaurant on my blog.

I'm a little in shock... was this organic chicken raised on vodka and flown in from St. Petersburg... or was it just stuffed with white truffles? ... well, at least it was "damn good" chicken, Kiev or no...

Now that's what I'm talking about!! What day isn't good for ice cream?

I have been a sloth and only made it to Chicago twice in 2006. That being said, both were whirlwind tours packed with great eating. I can now add two restaurants to my "favorites" repertoire in Chicago: Scylla - where I had a memorable cut of sea trout with truffles. scwa - those damned quail egg raviolis had me drooling the rest of the year!! I'll go back just for them puppies. Of course, both of my visits to The Avenues reinforced my unfailing love for Elliot Bowles. (See here and here.) My other meal in Chicago in 2006 included a return to Alinea. I look forward to many more in this new year!

Alright, so here are my KC dining highlights for 2006 (in no particular order): 1. 1924 Main: Lunch. You really can't beat $10 for two courses. 2. Murray's Ice Cream: While JWest has found a love for the carrot cake. I fell in love with their Nutty Rum Raisin. It inspired me to make variations at home. I can't wait to try their One Drunk Monk when they reopen in March. 3. Michel Richard's "Happy in the Kitchen" wine dinnerThis event was held at 40 Sardines. The food was pretty great, but it was the company and the event that made the evening so special and memorable. 4. Bo Ling's: Of course, being with people who know how and what to order always helps!! 5. bluestem: Especially the wagyu tartare, the caviar course(thank you wench and lad ), and Megan's awesome Brown Sugah Pumpkin Bread Pudding (she spells it with an "r" - but I think it deserves more sass ) 6. China Tom's: The The "Huang gua la ban la pi" at China Tom's was so good that I ordered another to go on my way out. 7. Krause Dining: The City of Lawrence needs to get off its sorry ass and approve Robert Krause's rezoning application to open his in-home restaurant!! One of the most fantabulous meals of 2006 was had at his restaurant shortly before it closed. Who knew grilled Walu would ever go so well with banana-schmaltz ice cream!? 8. Circe: I'm sorry to say, after two visits, not much impressed me. But, recently, I very much enjoyed a sweet potatoe ice cream. 9. Trezo Mare: Not cheap, but not bad either. I especially enjoyed their Maya Prawns, their scallops, and desserts were across the board stellar. Look forward to more visits in 2007. 10. Cassis: Finally got around to visiting, and on balance, I was pleased. Really enjoyed the cassoulet that came with a duck roulade. Also very much enjoyed a chicken liver terrine. 11. The Drop: Great salads and bruschetta. 12. JP Wine Bar: Crowded and LOUD, but love their cheese plates. 13. Phillips Chophouse: The food is way too expensive, but I had a memorable "Inside-Out Caramel Apple Cake." Places I look forward to visiting in 2007 - off the top of my head (I'm sure more to come): 1. Room 39 - have been for lunch, but need to visit for dinner. 2. Starker's Reserve - I need to get to Starker's. If nothing else - to pig out on ice cream!! Big Country, what do you have in the freezer these days? 3. EBT - need to check out what's been going on since it re-opened. Any and all reports would be appreciated and welcomed. Please post in appropriate thread. 4. 40 Sardines - Debbie's got the "Gold"en touch - and it seems, from recent reports, that under her sole direction, things are looking up. I need to get back there - the current online menu looks fantastic. Anyone been recently? Would love to hear reports. Please post in appropriate thread. 5. Need to do more "ethnic" eating in KCK and in the downtown bottoms. Thanks to reports from Zeemanb, chileheadmike, and Crum, I've got excellent guides. 6. Avenues Bistro - Morbid curiosity compels me to at least try it. 7. Pachamama's - ditto as #6. It can't be that bad... Ms. Chapin gave it 1 star! 8. Whatever new venture Chef Micheal Smith opens. Will be excited to find out when the time comes. Anyone got news? Please post in appropriate thread. 9. Souperman - Dalzell's (of 1924 Main) soon-to-open lunch spot downtown. 10. Whatever may open in 2007.

Did you notice the "Chef's Table" in the kitchen? If it's where it used to be (wedged between pastry and the line), it seemed like an awkwardly in-the-fray spot. But, at least you can see all the action, unlike at TRU, where the kitchen table is in an entirely different room with hardly a view of anything.

Caveat: I should mention that my previous statement about the scallops was a little misleading. My disappointment with that dish was more due to the presentation and execution - sloppy - rather than the actual flavors and combination. In fact, I loved the way it tasted. The scallops were just a tad overdone, as I recall. I should also say that I had this course at Jean-Georges Shanghai, and not at the one in New York. Sorry.

My two cents. Others may disagree: Must-orders: definitely the foie gras brulee if going a la carte; or scallops with caper-raisin emulsion, egg caviar, turbot, molten chocolate, etc....the JG classic tasting menu since it's your first visit. Stay-away-from: Venison with cabrales foam and broccoli rabe, black bass crusted with nuts and seeds in a sweet & sour jus (I know other eG'ers have enjoyed this dish, but it just didn't do much for me) Just go with your gut. The menu is not a minefield by any means. Very, very solid restaurant. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful meal regardless of what you order. ← Fascinating. The scallops, turbot and caviar egg were among the weakest courses I've had at Jean Georges. Whereas, I absolutely loved the seed and nut-encrusted sea bass. While I've not had it, the venison with Cabrales and rabe sounds great... things to look forward to! (tupac, can you explain what didn't work for you on this dish?) The chocolate molten cake is classic. No disagreements here on that one!

Best of luck, Chef Poli! I'm sorry I never made it to Butter - but I'll see you in Scottsdale!

On balance, I agree. I think my biggest complaint is the poor value. $8 for two slices of beef and two slices of turkey and a honking big plate of fries is not value. Neither is a tiny crock of cheese, corn and ham for $2. Just curious, which location did you go to? I failed to mention, our resident critic, Ms. Chapin, gave the new Plaza JS location 3 1/2 stars last week.

Thanks for reviving this, JWest. Since you started it, why don't you go first?

Here's his new venture http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS05/701020403 ← Thanks, Mom!! Great news! Congrats and good luck, Rick.

Yesterday (January 8), I received my February issues of Saveur, Food+Wine, and Bon Appetit (Gourmet has yet to show)... I've never noticed them coming out SO soon? Is the industry moving up their issuance dates? Anyone?

hel313. Thanks for that comment - I'll take it as a compliment. While I do want to get to some uber fancy places, part of why I like traveling (although it probably doesn't show in my photos and blogposts *sheepish*) is discovering the local flavors and hole in the walls... so to speak... Pedestrian is never a good thing, but unique, at any level, is always a plus. El Torero, I gather, fits the bill for the latter... yes? Thanks for all of the suggestions eGulleteers! You guys are the greatest! u.e.

Pan, 1. What kind of cuisine: Al Di La? What made the meal so spectacular? 2. Congee Village? Wow, sounds great. u.e.

I read something extremely positive about the fine dining restaurant at Loews Ventana Canyon...how many dinners do you have in Tucson? ← A week's worth. ← Based on what I just read, Loews Ventana's fine dining is a must. Janos and the J Bar (the casual concept) should make it into your list as well...where else are you considering? ← Well, to be honest, the majority of my time will be with friends - probably cooking at their home. But, I do like to get out for a few meals. Phoenix - I think I'll definitely be indulging at the gelateria you recommended - as in, spending the whole day there - eating. *Slathering*

I read something extremely positive about the fine dining restaurant at Loews Ventana Canyon...how many dinners do you have in Tucson? ← A week's worth.

Deborah, what would you say about Janos? Is it worth it?

Who are the movers and shakers out there?

Doc, Then wait until March for your first try of Arlecchino Gelateria, an addiction waiting for you in Phoenix. Those that have had them both favor Arlecchino. Molto E ← Oh Molto E, you've made me a happy man!

I guess that's what I would define as lackluster. $30, now that's pretty lustrous!

And, BryanZ, the price tag for that lackluster, but satisfactory meal, if I may ask?

... and so I've heard from others... and so I have not been.

I'm with you on the Olive Oil Gelato. It made it made it as one of my Top 10 desserts of 2006. That stuff is like creamy crack!