http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/dining/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from The Kansas City Star en-us Copyright 2012Kansas City Star Restaurants 60 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:24:48 CST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys 1.1.fi feedback@kansascity.com (Feedback) http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/08/3414911/restaurant-review-mestizo-offers.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/08/3414911/restaurant-review-mestizo-offers.html#storylink=rss Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00 CST "Mestizo opened in November, and after our late December visit I wasn't too eager to go back, so I gave it a few more weeks," Steve Paul writes in his review of the Leawood nuevo Mexican restaurant. After a second visit, "Things seemed to have improved quite a bit, though our experience of the food and the place remained somewhat short of stellar." 1369570 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/25/3388475/restaurant-review-gram-dun-on.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/25/3388475/restaurant-review-gram-dun-on.html#storylink=rss Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00 CST Gram & Dun, which opened in November in the former Baja 600 space on the Country Club Plaza, is a welcome addition to the dining scene. You'll enjoy an evening of fun food with casual but courteous service in a stylish yet comfortable space. And it's a great value, with average entrée prices ringing in at less than $20. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/18/3375811/good-to-go-lulus-2-for-5-spring.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/18/3375811/good-to-go-lulus-2-for-5-spring.html#storylink=rss Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:00 CST There's nothing that will fill you up while helping you slim down like Vietnamese spring rolls, and the vegetarian version at Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop are as good as any in town. A fiver gets you two lovely cylinders of fresh rice paper stuffed with lettuce, carrots, scallions, cilantro, rice vermicelli noodles, crushed peanuts and sauteed tofu. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/14/3318155/justus-drugstore-continues-to.html http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/14/3318155/justus-drugstore-continues-to.html#storylink=rss Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:23 CST For the last five years, while most chefs working in fine dining restaurants have been concentrating their creative energies on the complicated foams, gels and orbs of molecular gastronomy, Jonathan Justus has been tramping through Smithville's nearby woods, fields and streams looking for good things to eat. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/23/3273614/neighborhood-ethiopian-restaurant.html http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/23/3273614/neighborhood-ethiopian-restaurant.html#storylink=rss Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00 CST "When you get right down to it, there would be no Ethiopian cuisine without the slightly tangy injera," reviewer Jill Wendholt Silva writes of the pancakelike bread. "I've eaten in restaurants where the injera is so big it drapes like an edible tablecloth. At Elsa's Ethiopian in downtown Overland Park, more modest silver platters are covered with injera, and additional bread is served on the side." 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/16/3268016/annas-oven-offers-comfort-food.html http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/16/3268016/annas-oven-offers-comfort-food.html#storylink=rss Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:00 CST It's not every day you wander into a café that has a charitable social mission attached. A mod yet homespun café down the street from the University of Kansas Hospital, Anna's Oven serves up affordable comfort food. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/19/3215252/review-mai-thai-serves-up-affordable.html http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/19/3215252/review-mai-thai-serves-up-affordable.html#storylink=rss Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:00 CDT Unlike Thai Spice, which draws on a steady lunch business from the nearby hospital, Mai Thai at 12250 W. 135th St. in Overland Park is still finding its Johnson County audience. But with solid, attractively presented entrees ranging mostly from $10.95 to $13.95, the restaurant is a shoo-in with families and value-conscious diners. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/21/2965013/food-trucks-redux.html http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/21/2965013/food-trucks-redux.html#storylink=rss Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:54 CDT In the past few months, a handful of mobile food vendors have begun the process of taking it to the streets, fueled in part by social marketing tools that make it easier to drive business their way. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/02/1985739/classic-cup.html http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/02/1985739/classic-cup.html#storylink=rss Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:15 CDT Opened in 1990 and last reviewed in 2002, the Classic Cup continues to combine something I find increasingly hard to find -- excellent food and excellent service. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/12/1378007/leave-the-midwest-behind-at-chef.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/12/1378007/leave-the-midwest-behind-at-chef.html#storylink=rss Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:15 CDT 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. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/29/1351756/great-service-comfortable-lounge.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/29/1351756/great-service-comfortable-lounge.html#storylink=rss Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT As I walked up to the restaurant on the Country Club Plaza, a doorman greeted me with "Good evening. Welcome to the Capital Grille." That simple and elegant salutation set the tone for a special dining experience. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/22/1338301/my-dinner-at-grand-street-cafe.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/22/1338301/my-dinner-at-grand-street-cafe.html#storylink=rss Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT It's not new and it's not flashy, but Grand Street Café is probably the best place you (sometimes) forget all about. Once the proud flagship of the PB&J restaurant group, Grand Street Café changed ownership in December. But the transition to Rick and Kristi Ghilardi was a smooth one, perhaps because Rick was with Grand Street when it opened and was a partner with PB&J for 19 years. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/15/1325217/justus-patio-offers-homespun-haute.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/15/1325217/justus-patio-offers-homespun-haute.html#storylink=rss Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT The hostess at Justus Drugstore in downtown Smithville tries to hide a look of surprise. A destination dining spot, the upscale restaurant typically books up several weeks in advance. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/02/1369852/a-zest-for-dining-out-mac-and.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/07/02/1369852/a-zest-for-dining-out-mac-and.html#storylink=rss Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:56 CDT Not often does this family of mine sit together for a meal. I'm sure that's the case for most of us with kids and their constant flood of practices and rehearsals and games and our own long workdays and chores and errands. But early into dinner at Zest, in Leawood, an unfamiliar feeling sort of appeared, and it was there before I knew it. I think it's called tranquility. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/05/13/1193786/fogo-de-chao-serves-meat-in-fine.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/05/13/1193786/fogo-de-chao-serves-meat-in-fine.html#storylink=rss Wed, 13 May 2009 22:15 CDT My first clue that it was prom night came as we followed a chic young woman and her date down the parking garage stairs. She teetered precariously on razor-thin stilettos so ridiculously high she could barely walk. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/05/13/1193562/the-search-for-kcs-top-hot-dog.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/05/13/1193562/the-search-for-kcs-top-hot-dog.html#storylink=rss Wed, 13 May 2009 13:15 CDT Chicago is the capital of the Wiener Republic, and you really can’t get a bad dog in the city. But where in Kansas City can you find a hot dog that's worthy of the Windy City? 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/09/1432848/owner-chef-bring-sophistication.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/09/1432848/owner-chef-bring-sophistication.html#storylink=rss Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:15 CDT 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. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/03/11/1078547/chefs-know-where-the-good-values.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/03/11/1078547/chefs-know-where-the-good-values.html#storylink=rss Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:15 CDT There are no white tablecloths in Swagger. There are no sautéed veal sweetbread appetizers or thyme roasted diver scallop entrees. The most exotic menu item is the Suribachi burger -- tempura Angus beef with wasabi coleslaw ($9.95). 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/19/1391518/afternoon-specials-let-you-scout.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/19/1391518/afternoon-specials-let-you-scout.html#storylink=rss Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:15 CDT 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. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/03/04/1065667/these-kc-restaurants-offer-an.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/03/04/1065667/these-kc-restaurants-offer-an.html#storylink=rss Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:15 CST Everyone knows Kansas City is a great town for hearty, sit-down Tex-Mex fare. But if you're short on time or don't feel like a heavy meal under a blanket of bubbling cheese, a lot of snack shops, drive-throughs and quick-service destinations offer up a different, and often much more authentic, taste of Mexico. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/02/18/1039429/the-search-for-kcs-best-breakfast.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/02/18/1039429/the-search-for-kcs-best-breakfast.html#storylink=rss Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:15 CST To Michael Kizzee, this was the most important thing about enjoying the most important meal of the day: Breakfast is a cool way to have a date with your wife. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2008/12/11/933026/restaurant-critic-lauren-chapin.html http://www.kansascity.com/2008/12/11/933026/restaurant-critic-lauren-chapin.html#storylink=rss Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:13 CST Lauren Chapin, The Star's restaurant critic for the last eight years, died Wednesday at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/05/1924495/restaurant-review-blue-fin-asian.html http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/05/1924495/restaurant-review-blue-fin-asian.html#storylink=rss Wed, 05 May 2010 22:15 CDT Modern fusion usually means pairing Asian and Western ingredients and techniques. But at Blue Fin, Asian ingredients are mixed with Asian techniques. Still, many of the menu descriptions are lost in translation. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/10/1738113/my-dinner-at-jack-gage-american.html http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/10/1738113/my-dinner-at-jack-gage-american.html#storylink=rss Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:15 CST Few areas of Kansas City have seen more transformation than the two-block stretch of Main Street from 49th to 51st streets, which has become in short order a new little restaurant row. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/26/1405767/with-801-chop-houses-sunday-night.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/08/26/1405767/with-801-chop-houses-sunday-night.html#storylink=rss Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:15 CDT 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. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/30/1479333/oak-63.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/30/1479333/oak-63.html#storylink=rss Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:15 CDT 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). 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/16/1448782/gourmet-or-greasy-theres-a-burger.html http://www.kansascity.com/2009/09/16/1448782/gourmet-or-greasy-theres-a-burger.html#storylink=rss Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:15 CDT 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. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/20/3380315/cityscape-restaurant-week-draws.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/20/3380315/cityscape-restaurant-week-draws.html#storylink=rss Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00 CST For the next 10 days, 127 area restaurants will offer specially priced menus to give consumers a taste of their offerings and fight hunger as well. 1369572 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/09/3419125/food-network-focuses-on-kansas.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/09/3419125/food-network-focuses-on-kansas.html#storylink=rss Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00 CST What's really hot in Kansas City? Chefs Roger Mooking and Aarón Sanchez of the Food Network's "Heat Seekers" will tell America in a show premiering Feb. 20. 1369571 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/01/3401528/good-to-go-elote-at-paleteria.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/01/3401528/good-to-go-elote-at-paleteria.html#storylink=rss Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00 CST Tucked in the middle of the Southwest Boulevard block bookended by Taqueria Mexico and La Fonda, Paleteria Tropicana is an exotic paradise for fruit fans in winter. But elote -- corn in a cup -- is sort of the opposite of a health-food drink. It's a beautiful, full expression of carbs and fat with a little citric tang to cut the creaminess. 1369571 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/02/3406828/cityscape-five-dining-options.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/02/3406828/cityscape-five-dining-options.html#storylink=rss Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00 CST The best NASCAR seat in Kansas City, Kan., may not necessarily be in the speedway anymore. 1369571