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Lauren Chapin

Since I began this job, I've earned my Sommelier certificate and completed the rigorous Basic Food Preparation class in the Culinary Arts program at Johnson County Community College. I regularly participate in wine-tastings, cooking classes and visiting-chef dinners.

That experience and education come to bear when I review a restaurant. I follow the same criteria, whether I'm in a cinderblock lunch joint or a swanly suburban restaurant that has been lauded in Esquire or Bon Appetit: Are the ingredients fresh? Are the cooking techniques on the mark? Do the flavors work together or is there a promiscuous use of ingredients? How's the presentation? Is the meal worth the price?

I critique service from the first hello to the thank-yous and good-nights. I work anonymously about 90 percent of the time, so my experiences should be typical of any diner's. I, too, have pet peeves: restaurants that are too cold or loud, servers who dismiss a complaint or disappear after dessert, lousy coffee, overpriced wine.

I write for the consumer, as a consumer on a budget. I try to crisscross the Kansas City area, reviewing a variety of restaurants. Whether I'm eating authentic French cuisine or sloppy Kansas City barbecue, I measure quality and integrity. I look for intangibles, for a sense that the chef cares about the food and takes pride in what comes out of the kitchen.

Food is about more than sustenance. It is about culture and customs. Ultimately, though, my love for food goes back to something more personal and far less remote: to a connection I made more than 30 years ago standing in the dirt on my family's farm.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 1 - 15 of 774 (Page 1 of 39)

Submitted by Merle Zuel from Bonner Springs

Q: Dear Lauren, I would like to ask a question about the whole La Bodega issue addressed by Kim and James. I was one of the party of 12 who had reservations for 5pm. The first of our party arrived at 4:45 and were seated at the bar. At 5:15 we had 6 people waiting to be seated and were denied seating because not enough of our party was present yet. After asking the host and the manager and being told we could not be seated(despite reservations), I left the restaurant none too happy, walking past 2 more of our party who were just arriving. The staff was condescending and rude and Kim, my girlfriend, went back in to give them a piece of her mind after being refused seating. She and I and another friend went to Blue Stem and enjoyed a very good meal. The rest of the party stayed because there were more people on the way and no way to let everyone know. The evening was unremarkable after that. What I want to know is: is it Mr. Taylor’s policy to refuse to seat paying customers with reservations or is that the industry standard. We were part of the “full” restaurant he alludes to in his letter. I don’t know if he was even there or if he is relying on his staff to fill him in. In either case he has a skewed perception of what happened on that evening. On a more positive note, we had been there once before and had perfectly good service and were seated promptly even though we had no reservations. We left only after being refused seating which we had reservations for. What do yo think we should have done? Merle

Answered 12/03/08 14:27:14 by Lauren Chapin

A: It seems odd that they would not seat you when 6 of you were there, with two more en route. Did you speak with a manager or were you turned away by the host? The only seating when everyone is present is an annoying policy, especially when at least half of you are present. And with as many as you had, they were already dedicating several tables to your group. Have you spoken directly with Mr. Taylor? Did you get the name of the La Bodega employees you dealt with? If you haven't done the latter, I'd suggest you start there.

Submitted by pete peterman from kansas city

Q: Yep still there for now, unless you know anyone that wants to open a restaurant and has the need for a broken down old worn out chef that is cranky and senile.

Answered 12/01/08 10:30:58 by Lauren Chapin

A: Not in the economy. Unless you want a small place, not too fancy, great food, easy on wallet prices. Then maybe.

Submitted by Pete Peterman from Raytown

Q: Hey you ol goat! Chef Martin Heuser is a Certified European master chef from Bonn Germany not Canada, he was in Canada for a few years though. His Family has owned the same resaturant for over 200 years in Bonn. He is one of the top chefs if not the best chef in the City! So do you know where I can get some Bulot at in Kansas City? Have a good gobble gobble day!

Answered 11/24/08 08:50:19 by Lauren Chapin

A: Hey, back at you Billie. He won the Iron Chef in Canada. Hope to get up to his place soon. Are you still at the same place you were a few months ago?

Submitted by Ted G. Ensley from Topeka, kS

Q: My lovely bride and I are heading to KC for an anniversary dinner Sat. night. We love the view at Skies, the atmosphere at Starker's and the food at the Bristol. Do you have any suggestions for an upscale, dress-up restaurant where we will not be seeing ball caps? p.s.: I really enjoy your writing.

Answered 11/19/08 10:43:12 by Lauren Chapin

A: Congratulations,Ted, on your anniversary. Have you considered the American Restaurant? Debbie Gold, who won a james Beard award there, is back, as of late summer. I've heard good things about the food she's serving there. And the view is something. I'd also suggest Benton's, on top of the Westin Crown Center. The chef, Martin Heuser, is originally from Canada, where he won that country's version of Iron Chef. He has some lovely things on his menu, including a rabbit cooked sous vide. They also do several things prepared tableside, including lobster bisque, chateaubriand for two and two sorts of flaming desserts. Both restaurants have up to date websites that may help in your decision making. I'd keep Starker's on my list, as well. And thank you for the kind words.

Submitted by Dale from Prairie Village, KS

Q: I read about Christy's Tasty Queen today in your column & decided to drive over there for lunch today. Their tenderloin is huge and is very good. I also had fried mushrooms and a chocolate malt - both of which were very good. Plan to take your food to go though since there is no inside seating.

Answered 11/19/08 10:39:19 by Lauren Chapin

A: Hey Dale, I'd love to take credit but Christy's was included in a Star magazine piece about places with "royal" names. I've heard the tenderloins are amazing, though, and hope to get there soon.

Submitted by Larry Prouty from Peculiar, Mo

Q: After reading your review and comments regarding the new J.L. Stphenson's Santa Fe Inn, I treated my father to a birthday dinner. (Sunday 11/16/08) I must say our experience at this resturant was NOTHING like you described. The food was at best marginal. The side dishes were lukewarm to cold. (They were out of the vegetable of the day, greenbeans. Ever here of a grocery store) The entree's were bland and unappealing. The iced tea was bitter and had to be rebrewed after complaining to the server. Dirty silverware had to be replaced twice. The salads were equally disappointing. The service was also at BEST unsatisfactory.I do think you should revisit your review and give the folks an HONEST opinion. Bob Evans chain resturants provide a better quality of food and service than this so called Kansas City tradition. Needless to say we WON"T be back and will NOT reccomend this place to anyone!

Answered 11/17/08 10:21:38 by Lauren Chapin

A: I'm sorry your experience was so different than mine. I was there on a Saturday night and no, they had no idea I was there. The food was fine, not spectacular, not 4-star but reasonable given the context. I also spoke with Steve after the write-up, which was billed as a First Taste, not a review, and he talked about difficulties he had in the early days after opening. He expressed confidence that things were going better. And he has a chef, a trained chef who worked at Bonefish Grill, helping run the kitchen. Let's hope he knows how much work he has left to do. I would suggest contacting Steve and letting him know how your meal was. MOst restaurateurs want to know when meals and experiences are sub-par, otherwise they can't fix things.

Submitted by Arthur Allen from

Q: Someone at Star recently reviewed a diner that supposed to serve the best Pork Tenderloin sandwich. I believe it was on 55th St. in Kansas City, Kansas. Name-address-and telephone number Please.

Answered 11/14/08 10:51:15 by Lauren Chapin

A: Christy's Tasty Queen: 1405 S. 55th KCK, 913-287-2800

Submitted by Tom from Merriam, KS

Q: I See JP Wine Bar has opened a new location in Leawood. Have yo made it there yet?

Answered 11/13/08 14:05:31 by Lauren Chapin

A: No, I did drive by it though. Soon, though, soon.

Submitted by Gina Meyer from Lee's Summit, MO

Q: My sorority sisters are looking for a Plaza restaurant recommendation for our annual lunch and shopping extravaganza next Saturday. Thanks! P.S. We'd love for you to join us.

Answered 11/10/08 14:41:54 by Lauren Chapin

A: I'd recommend Starker's. Just make sure they are doing lunch on Saturday. They do on weekdays. JJ's - get the bouillabaisse. Cafe Sebastienne - lovely courtyard. Classic Cup for something more casual. Even Grand St. for a lovely martini. Thanks for the offer, but I'm doing the mom of two teens thing.

Submitted by James Taylor from MO

Q: Lauren, Regarding the question that Kim had,m " i recently went to la bodega with a group of friends and we had reservations. the restaurant was practically empty except for the window seats and there is no room to belly up to the bar for more than two people. the doorman is notoriously snooty but the general manger wouldn't seat us either. we had purposely called ahead to give them a heads up for waitstaffing purposes. we've had good luck with this group of friends getting seated with reservations. is this standard operating procedure with most restaurants and is there any place else serving tapas? i didn't care for my shabby treatment at la bodega and won't go back." Kim did not give you all the information. In fact, we were booked with reservations, as she was told, and did not have a table for her large party since we are only 70 seats. She was accomodated, but it wasn't the table she wanted. She threw a fit and walked out. The rest of her table stayed, had an excellent time, and apologized for their friend. They were embarrassed. Kim was unreasonable with the staff, after they explained the problem of not being able to seat due to upcoming reservations. They made options, of which were unacceptable to her. She did not have a reservation, and we had a booked room. It is hard to explain that we are full with reservations when they have not all been sat yet. How would you handle Kim, and others that have this issue. Thanks for your ear. JT

Answered 11/05/08 10:56:30 by Lauren Chapin

A: There's always two sides of a story and it was good to hear yours. One reason I favor restaurants taking reservations as a matter of course is to minimize disappointments and false expectations. Certainly lots of pertinent details were left out of the telling of this story. Most diners understand the concept of reserved tables being held until diners who've planned ahead arrive. Maybe she was just having a lousy day. It sounds like you handled the situation professionally and she was the only one in the group in a snit. I guess the upside is that you had a full restaurant, a gift in this economy. LC

Submitted by Dale from Prairie Village

Q: I didn't get the name of the new owner of Napoleon's, just that a business license was issued.

Answered 10/23/08 13:05:43 by Lauren Chapin

A: Thanks. I was out of town - in Houston - for food journalists conference.

Submitted by kim cramer from bonner springs

Q: i recently went to la bodega with a group of friends and we had reservations. the restaurant was practically empty except for the window seats and there is no room to belly up to the bar for more than two people. the doorman is notoriously snooty but the general manger wouldn't seat us either. we had purposely called ahead to give them a heads up for waitstaffing purposes. we've had good luck with this group of friends getting seated with reservations. is this standard operating procedure with most restaurants and is there any place else serving tapas? i didn't care for my shabby treatment at la bodega and won't go back.

Answered 10/23/08 13:05:24 by Lauren Chapin

A: Not a good thing for any restaurant in this economy...I'd contact the owner, James Taylor. He also owns re:Verse. Extra Virgin will serve tapas-style dishes when it opens at 19th and Main St. It is next door to Michael Smith and owned by Michael Smith.

Submitted by Chris from Kansas City, MO

Q: I couldn't remember if I asked this a couple of days ago or not, but I am looking for a place to take a friend to lunch in Liberty. My friend loved the Hardware Cafe, but I understand that is now closed. Is there anywhere else like that? Thanks.

Answered 10/23/08 13:03:48 by Lauren Chapin

A: Martinalli's is open again. There's the Dish Stuffed pIzza on 291 and LIberty Drive. There's Sorella's, just off the square. Ginger Sue's on the Square. A Cupini's (just okay) and Los Compas on the Square - Mexican. Great margaritas. Cheap, too.

Submitted by Dave from Kansas City, MO

Q: Has Dos Hombres closed? I was at their south location last Sunday evening, and it was locked up with mail piled in the foyer, but no signs up indicating anything. When I try to look up their website, I get a server down message.

Answered 10/23/08 13:02:41 by Lauren Chapin

A: I'll ask around. It's a tough economy. But that doesn't look promising, does it?

Submitted by Lynn Anderson from Richmond, KS

Q: My husband and I dined at the old Stephenson's restaurant on our anniversary for over 20 years. Sad when it closed, elated to see a "re-opening" of sorts in Raytown. Anniversary is coming up next week. Read an on-line review (The Pitch) that was quite underwhelming. Just wondering if you've had the opportunity to check out Stephenson's Santa Fe Inn. Should we go there this year, or back to Garozzo's in Olathe where we went last year? (Note that we live in Richmond, KS, which is quite a distance from Raytown; even further from the original Stephenson's.)

Answered 10/23/08 13:02:04 by Lauren Chapin

A: I'd give it more time before heading to Stephenson's. There are several new places in JOCO, if you're looking for something other than Garozzo's. Sullivan's - a high-end steakhouse in Leawood. Yahooz, in Town Center Plaza,is quite good and locally owned.

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