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When a jogger tells you the restaurant you’re looking for is “right next to the Dollar General,” it’s hard to keep your culinary hopes aloft. But Bleu Tomato turns out to be a cozy oasis of solid, value-priced food and bohemian decor in De Soto, halfway between Lawrence and Kansas City in western Johnson County.
Japanese steakhouses in Kansas City were few and far between when I was growing up. They weren’t just restaurants — they were destinations, usually reserved for birthdays, proms and other celebrations.
I'd been hoping to check out the Drop: Bar and Bistro for a while now. A friend recently told me, “I never expected such fancy food on Martini Corner. It’s a lot more than bar food.” So four of us gathered to put that high praise to the test.
Judging only by the name, I had envisioned Café Casbah as a sassy, Clash kind of “Rock the Casbah” Mediterranean restaurant, but the menu is more of a Muzak playlist of classic Continental cuisine with showy, old-fashioned preparations rarely seen anymore.
Corner cafes at every turn, haricot verts atop my salad and a shared bottle of Côtes du Rhône: little aspects of everyday life in France that bring big smiles. This summer I was lucky enough to spend a week in Paris (where I could live on pastries, bread and cheese alone).
I’m not sure a hamburger needs to go gourmet. A carelessly tended yard burger, charred and flavored with grill gunk, can come as close to culinary heaven in my book as seared foie gras in Calvados.
The Westside Local is one of those places that feels special and comfortably neighborhood at the same time. With its exposed brick, salvaged-wood tabletops and a beer garden out back, it has a friendly, workmanlike demeanor.
I’m a huge fan of high-end steak houses. My paycheck is not. My visits to expensive restaurants are rare, usually on someone else’s dime, and it has been a long time.
Sure, you can brown-bag it and save a few pennies. But remember this: A midday indulgence costs less than a night on the town. Scoping out new restaurants for lunch is an easy way to get a sense of the menu and quality of the food without the all-out financial commitment.
With Extra Virgin, chef Michael Smith has finally brought not only the flavors but the feel of his beloved southern European trattorias and tavernas to Kansas City.
A poster outside Peachtree Buffet assures patrons that there is a lot of food to be had, providing the first hint that you will not leave this place hungry.
