Truffles anyone?

On fries.

Lunching at WestChase Grille captured me and a Tastebud today.

The cool thing about this place is how open, warm and friendly it is. Plus, the food is so good. I delved into a steaming pot of French onion soup all gooey with bubbly cheese and chunks of onions, perfect on this snowy day. Accompanied by a spinach salad it was enough...or so I thought.

We were delighted with a plate of piping hot fries, all jazzed up with truffle oil. These yums are worth every crispy crumb.

Go say hi to Chase and John - tell them you've got to try the fries.

Thanks and No mis-givings

It's that time....turkey time. I'm banging this out while waiting for the bird. Considering that Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday, I don't mind dishing all the sides and mains for my ravenous guests. Why not. It's a happy opening to what could prove to be a sweet season ahead.

Setting the table is a treat. This year, I've pulled colors from a rich palette including cinnamon, mustard, lime green and smoky burgundy. On my walk this a.m., I stopped to grab some gorgeous maple leaves to sprinkle around. Found pencil-thin, lime-green candles at Creative Candles and stuck them in pretty glass vases.

When it's all said and done, this table, family and food should be memorable.

Can't wait for nap time!!!

Happy Trails

No, I'm not in Kansas anymore.

Rather, it's Tanque Verde dude ranch outside of Tucson. What a lovely place to kick back, ride the trail and generally feel like you're in an old Western.

Hot, good food, great casitas, three pools and those cacti....wow. This place backs up to the saguaro National Park. The whole place is impressive and worth a week. Be a cowboy/girl and giddie-up. www.tanqueverderanch.com

Grazing in the grass

Baa Baa ....you know the rest. Put Green Dirt Farm on your bucket list. Periodically, this lovely farm tucked into the hillside outside of Weston hosts a farm-to-table dinner.

Lamb was on the menu on our September evening. Picture this: sheep grazing on the slope, deep indigo sky, 30 people eating in an open-air barn. The food, crafted over 3-hours, was lovely. Add in wine pairings plus a gorgeous setting and you have what was a memory maker. If you get the chance go......................!

A bit of culture

It was a lovely fallish day when I decided to see what was up at The Nerman....you know, that perfectly beautiful white limestone cube on JCCC's campus. Not only do they have the most delicious art, they have Cafe Tempo. After a stroll mulling over the exhibitions, stop by this monochromatic little spot and, if the weather's cooperating, take lunch under the sky. I had the vibrant not-so-little salad...a perfect must for a perfect day.

Back from the road

It's been a bit since I've blogged in. That's because I've been logging miles and miles hitting the road south.

First it was a shoot in LaFayette, GA followed by shoots in Augusta then swinging up to Knoxville. All in all....2,300 miles. The cool thing was plenty of outstanding scenery, great folks and excellent food.

From grits and spicy ginger ale to a French bistro dinner on the banks of the Savannah River, the calories piled up but it was all well worth the slooooowww food and romance of southern cooking.

Now, back to biz I want everyone to know just how great One Bite Grill is. Owner, Erika Koike is really trying hard to please. Go in, tell her I told you so. She'll astound you with her modern Japanese fare. www.onebitegrill.com Oh, and don't forget to savor her shaved ice treat...it's just that!

Amen

Hot Ziggity!

I'd heard from dozens that these dogs were something. Thus...The Pizza Man...? dogs at a pie shop doesn't seem quite right but gotta give those in the know credit.

You can get'im loaded, hot or not; it's up to you.

Better than the T-Bones Ballpark dogs at a buck.

Batter Up.

A Million Tiny Deaths

There's a certain decadence waiting. It does have everything to do with sugar and a certain Red Velvet cupcake.

Europa, a tiny eatery along the rue in Crestwood is just like sitting along the Left Bank...almost. Grab a table, a good cappuccino and one of these hefty bobbles of sweetness.

Pray for a calm night and indulge.

Amen

A Tomato Isn't Just A Fruit

Once in a great while, a gem of a place jumps out.
You Say Tomato is one of those.

Thousands percent different from the run-of-the-mill eateries that dot the metro, this solid little place is more reminiscent of an old-time grocery - a place to settle and schmooze and feel like you could drag your journal, sit down with a huge cup of chai and dream about a screenplay you're about to pen.

This is where you go when you want a dose of homegrown satisfaction.

Can you tell, I loved it?

Daily postings on on the board....go for breakfast or lunch. Pull up a chair to a formica, iron or old wooden table and dish.

Anyone who wants to visit old KC will know where this quiet little place is....roughly 25th and Holmes - parked in a real neighborhood. Yes, kinda far but who cares? It's summer....

Hands Across the Water

It started with pangs on July 4th.

My very international friend decided since he was Canadian he wanted to try the All-American hot dog. This being a traditional hot-dog-day...we popped over to the Pizza Man (supposedly the place for true dogs in this town). Since they were closed it was a perfect opportunity to try Cafe Augusta....in the scheme of things, a fairly new opening.

It was almost 2 p.m. and we were both starved (although, I have to say I could last 6 months in the Artic on little more that what I have packed on in the few years)...Nevertheless, the place was comfortably busy (always a good sign) and the service more than congenial.

We ordered, met the chef and I have to say, found this place wonderfully different. I don't know if it was the food (hearty) or the non-intrusive mellow french music.

The Canadian had a hero. Stacks of fresh meat and cheese coupled with homemade chips. My dish of tomato Provencal was oozy and so delish.

This place owned by a mother and daughter have brought a new twist to the suburban scene with their reach toward good food from everywhere but fast.

I'll pick up the hot dog on the next try but until then, I'm betting on Cafe Augusta.

Later................

Shout out....

It's been brutally hot...this summer. So I decided to take my wheat-grass (or as I call it, motor oil), granola-lovin' friend of mine to drink, not eat lunch.

We stopped by L A Juice at 119th and Lamar. Giant, brain-freeze chillers are smooshed up with lots of fruit, ice, sherbet or yogurt. Then you can add any number of healthy nuggets to your liking.

I went for what I consider healthy (remember, I'm the one who eats fried ice cream), Pomegranate Bliss; he popped for a smoothie loaded with acai and other anti-oxidants.

We sat outside, sipped and watched the world go lazily (into Spin and the Cheesecake Factory) by.

I feel healthier already..........

Get Hooked!

Last evening two of my Atomic Tunas ventured over to Sumo - ultra cool, totally swank new raw bar. Not a true fan of raw anything, I was pleasantly surprised that I could sit down at a smokeless hibachi grill, watch the pyrotechnics and dig into to the meanest fried rice, bites of shrimp and cold-water lobster while everyone around me dug into sushi before eating their grilled delights.

Maybe it's the deliciously dark design, maybe it's the bar (that glows and tempts with zillions of martinis/wine/beer) or maybe it's the fun atmosphere. Community tables (read: sitting with strangers) is fine since everyone is on the same page. I'm thinking this Wichita based outfit owned by Ivy Yang and Hiedo Nambara is a great surprise for the out-south crowd.

We went for lunch but after dark, the 16 grills will be ramped up for your choice among 140 items. Here's our sampling: fish tacos, Poke-Tini, Kansas Roll, Crispy Garlic Trio, New York Roll and tempura-coated fried ice cream (I know, I know).

Be ready to toss back hot or cold sake then watch the chopping, saucing, steaming and yes, even flinging.

Big menu, big place - even a monthly disco party in the pretty bar. This should be a hit.

Sumo
135th Roe
Leawood, KS
913-851-4888

Head North!

What a treat.

Scrambling to escape the blistering June heat, I headed NoRTH into the cool.

Cool in every sense of the word. Executive Chef, Ryan Foxworth and GM, Frank Giacomini, surrounded by a flank of 20 (mostly blonds) presented a two-hour taste of Tuscany cooking demo.

Ryan paired locally sourced heirloom tomatoes, a heavenly buratta mozzarella and a few other magical ingredients in this delicious salad to start off the class. He followed with a Cavatelli pasta, spicy italian sausage, tomato, roasted garlic and braised greens. Check out the pic above...almost too pretty to eat. Considering that wasn't an option, I consumed most then asked for a box (everyone did) and waited for the finale, a smooth and joyfully fruitful panna cotta.

If you want to be delighted by Ryan and Frank's expertise, take this once-a-month class. Cost is $35 p/p includes wine pairings. You can go even if you're not blond.

Later -

Screamin' Green

Okay, I took the chance to be eco and headed for Pizza Fusion (135th and Nall).

This dandy little place is a delight considering that the whole place is very environmentally conscious. This is a good thing.

You can't help but notice it's commitment to the planet. From the counter tops made from recycled glass bottles to servers wearing 100% organic cotton tees, the place breathes green.

The pizza? Great. I had the Founder's pie on whole wheat...it's organic everything - right down to the pesticide-free tomatoes.

I felt good and proud - - that was until I fell off the turnip truck the next night and went straight to hell. Well, kinda.

Had a hankering for bbq and desperately sought Oklahoma Joe's in Mission but the line (apparently Anthony Bourdain's rants and raves) have elevated it to a must-do-before-you-die status circumvented that excursion landing Tastebud and I at Rosedale. Slipping mightly from good and green to greasy but delish burnt ends was a travesty (but a tasty one, I have to admit).
Ah well, the sun will come up.....you know the rest.

Later.

A day in the life...

It's late, I'm used to this but after working out then eating again...(should be the other way around) it's nuts.

Thought I'd share a bit about what happens when you eat and report about it for fun and amusement!

My ears and tastebuds are always on alert. If you eat out as much as I do, the moment I share that I'm a foodie, people become rabid to tell me where to go, what to eat and more. I love this.

Just today, sitting with a couple of co-workers, they gave me their two-cents about fried chicken stating that Strouds wasn't what it used to be...that's still under review on my part since I just ate there and found it as delicious as ever. So I mentioned Jess and Jim's which still has my vote for chicken that's too good to pass up.

Okay, back to basics. When I eat out, I'm always in tune with service, food, surrounds and clientele. That's not in order. What is in order is the food. Service comes a close second. From roadhouse to dive, elegant, swanky digs to non-descript box...there's really nothing that's going to keep me away unless the food isn't up to par. Happily, there are so many places from which to choose that do wonders with food in KC, I think we're very lucky.

Here's my comments on my latest outings: Ingredient in Park Place - sit outside if the weather is nice...breathe in and inhale their yummy salads, pizza and soups. It's an easy fix when you want to grab something quick...everything's fresh. California Pizza Kitchen, right next to Ingredient. It's a bit too loud for my taste but I still like the salads...lots of crunch...really big portions and a flurry of servers always buzzing about to refil, smile and serve.

Trezo Vino also at Park Place in Leawood is beginning to look like a little slice of Tuscany. Small tables situated outside in front of their building make dining al fresco delightful. Go on a dreamy summer evening before it gets too hot.

Tomorrow I'm going a bit farther down the lane...135th where there's so many eateries, it makes me dizzy. I'll head to Pizza Fusion (how's that for a trendy sounding name?!) and see what makes this place a hit....or not....

Stay Tuned!!