where we ate (Kansas City)

[joiei]

Last weekend I went up to Kansas City for the Cirque de Soliel performance, incredible visuals.

The folks I was with for the weekend had never been to Kansas City so I tried to show them the best that I knew.

My first meal was a pre-weekend meal sort of. I met up with moonsqrl and we had lunch over in KCK at a place that had been reviewed in The Pitch, Antojitos Mexacana Tierra Caliente. What a find. We way over ordered, the portions were large. And the menu was kind of a hit or miss. If you speak no Spanish, it might be hard at least during the day when the Mother is there. The dining space is small and neat. The huaracha we ordered was good, the bits of meat had crispy pieces. The chicken I have no idea what the name was was delicious, served with corn tortillas and a lively sauce. The Torta pollo was HUGE. We sort of guessed that it was the KCK version of a muffalata and was very tasty, the avocado and the mexican cheese that was used on it gave it a great flavor.

After this exercise at over indulgence, we stopped of at Krizmans for some sausage, interesting place, worth the visit if your in the market for some sausages. Next stop was the infamous "Red X". I now know where it is, I missed a turn on my last trip to find the place. A huge wine selection. lots of offerings we do not have here.

The friends who came for the weekend were from New Orleans (prof's at the UNO school of hospitality and good friends) and a couple from Ann Arbor who I first met in New Orleans. So the food quality was on the line and I was feeling a little pressure to find the best.

Friday's dinner was at 40 Sardines and they came through with flying colors. We ordered wildly from the menu and shared all around. They loved it, the service was mostly right on.

Breakfast Saturday morning was just 3 of us, and I took them to Room 39. Once again, a hit, the french toast, the chorizo omlete everything. Great room, good service, excellent food.

Lunch was at Blue Koi. They didn't want a real formal meal at this point, we had just come from Asiatica. Killer clothes, but that is off topic, but don't miss this place if your intown to visit. Back to lunch, we all ordered differently from the menu, I had the shrimp curry, others had the wonton soup, ect. Everything was good, and they appreciated the green tea that was not from a tea bag.

For dinner, I had planned to go to Fiorella's Jack Stack at the railyard, but the wait was over an hour and a half, Not me. We tried Lidia's but it was also wait listed for almost an hour, NOt me. So we went to Gates, I knew where it was. I did want to get in one bbq place. It was okay, we were able to get in and out quickly so we could get to the show at the Kemper. This was the most dissappointing place to me personally, dont know that I will go back. I prefer my ribs to not be sauced before I get them. my thing.

Brunch sunday was at Bluestem and this was the star of the weekend. And what a great way to send everyone back to there homes leaving a good taste for KC in their memories. We ordered wildly from the menu again. It must of been a french toast sort of weekend. That was a hit. I had the flatiron steak with pomme frites, we did consider asking if we could of gotten another side order of the pomme frites, they were that good. Colby, you guys rock. And the desserts, I almost forgot, my personal recommendation, try the lemon tart with lavander ice cream. I have kept that taste memory.

Then I put everyone on planes and I headed for Dean and Deluca for my sandwich for the road.

All in all a very successful weekend showing off the foods of a city that i do not even live in. Do I go up there too much? It is a fun place, although the Crown Center was a big dissappointment.

Something else that we all noted, the staffs in the hotels we were staying in were friendly and all but they lacked a LOT of professionalism. We were at the new Hilton President and at the Westin Crown Center. We hate to be so picky, but the staffs at those hotels sure could use some further training in dealing with their guests. And they need to smile more. Enough of my rant.

Oh, I forgot, after the show on Saturday, we went to the Blue Room. What a treat to be able to listen to music in a non-smoke laden atmostphere.

[moosnsqrl]

Thanks for the write-up of the rest of your whirlwind tour of our fair city. I'm glad you and the friends were treated well. Rest up and we'll do it again!

[ulterior epicure]

joie.

You really know how to eat!!

That's a great report - thanks for taking the time. Have you considered moving to K.C.?

u.e.

[joiei]

It is more fun living where I do, that way I get to make my weekend trips to discover the BEST that middle America has to offer. I have not been to Nebraska yet, but according to my maps, it is just above Kansas and doable. Kind of like going to St Louis from here.

As for moving to KC, naw. I have a great job in the tulsey-town and have no relocation plans. If you come this way let me know, I have some recommendations.

[joiei]

Okay, I am back in KC and ready. I am looking forward to tomorrow night. In the meantime, on Memorial Day Monday, there are a LOT of places that are closed for the day. I ended up at Firoella's in Overland Park - it was close to my hotel - and it was good. I ordered the pork burnt ends and the beef ribs and a ceasar salad, foregoing the fries and coleslaw. The BBQ sauce was a tad to vinegary for me personally, my brother would like it.

Lunch Tuesday is looking to be Tonic, a new place for me. more later.

[ulterior epicure]

joiei.

welcome back. can't wait to hear all about your lunch at tonic.

u.e.

[Katie Nell]

Lunch Tuesday is looking to be Tonic,  a new place for me.  more later.

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Joiei...

The chocolate tasting is a very fun dessert and always tempting at Tonic, but the apple crisp is SO good... if you get dessert, I would try the apple crisp! Have fun!

[ulterior epicure]

Lunch Tuesday is looking to be Tonic,  a new place for me.  more later.

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Joiei...

The chocolate tasting is a very fun dessert and always tempting at Tonic, but the apple crisp is SO good... if you get dessert, I would try the apple crisp! Have fun!

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... from Katie, our KC resident sweet-tooth!

u.e.

[moosnsqrl]

Hey Heartlandish diners,

Tonic is no longer open for lunch. Joiei and I just tried to go and it was rather dark and lonely looking inside. They are serving brunch now and the menu looks good.

We ended up at the original Thai Place. I had my usual papaya salad (trying to save my appetite for tonight) and joiei had Panang Shrimp which I probably would never have thought to order but was delicious. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes roving the menu to discover a treat!

Anyway, I feel like I should be stripped of one of my specialista stripes for leading a guest to a restaurant for a meal that isn't served there, so I thought I would let everyone else know and minimize the damage.

[joiei]

No damage done, the Shrimp Panang was very good with just the right balance of heat(I ordered medium heat) and coconut and peanut flavors. Now to rest up before dinner.