by Sharm | Mar 17, 2014 | Articles
Overland Park is home to the first Verizon Wireless Smart Store in Kansas and now a second one has opened in Wichita’s New Market Square shopping center. The company eventually plans to convert all 1,700 of its retail locations to this new “Smart Store” concept.
I had the chance to take a tour of the store and was astounded by all of the products and services available.
In addition to the smart phones, tablets and wireless plans you would expect to find at a Verizon store, there are several different areas or zones with devices and gadgets all designed to work with your smartphone or tablet.
The technology and gadgets available allow you to control the thermostat in your home while you are still at the office, track the calories you just burned during your workout, remotely record a favorite television show or get a notification when your plant needs watered and much more!
The different zones include:
• Amplify It – This area includes wireless speakers, headphones and accessories.
• Get Fit – For those looking for health and wellness devices, this area includes devices that will track calories, steps, sleep, heart rates, blood pressure and more!
• Verizon at Home – This area has everything you need to stay connected including internet service plans, home phone service and more.
• Have Fun – Designed for both big and little kids, here you will find everything from educational and learning devices to remote control helicopters.
• Home and on the Go – Everything you need for your home is here whether you want to monitor the security of you home, record a TV show or need to adjust the thermostat while you are away, there is gadget that does just that.
There is also a workshop zone designed with horseshoe shaped table and chairs and big screen television where guest can learn how to run and operate all of the different products available.
Each zone has interactive stations that tell about each gadget and if you need customer service, you can see if there is a wait time, if any for the next customer service rep.
Speaking of customer service, the Verizon Smart Store is dedicated to making customer satisfaction a priority and instead of the sales staff, standing behind a counter; they are all out on the floor with tablet computers and can handle inquiries and sales from anywhere in the store.
I had a great time touring the store and to my surprise, even found a gift for my nieces 5th birthday, The “Learn to Write Mr. Pencil” from Leapfrog. I can honestly I never expected something like that when I thought of Verizon before!
Overland Park
11868 W. 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66214
Wichita
2441 N. Maize Road, Wichita, Kan. 67205
by Sharm | Mar 11, 2014 | Articles
Grilling 101:
Mastering the Basics – Direct or “Stovetop” Cooking
with Craig Jones
Grilling instructor Craig Jones was named the Grill Mayor in 2012 by the Food Network. At last count, he had 7 grills and cooks over live fire 300+ days a year. He and his wife Gay make Savory Additions small batch artisan smoked nuts.
Craig and Gay are long-time supporters of the local Kansas City food scene. They are certified Kansas City Barbeque Society judges, disciples of The Kansas City Test Kitchen, video reviewers for the annual Kansas City Restaurant Week fundraiser, and members of Kansas City Food Artisans and Slow Food Kansas City.
The Grilling 101 class, Craig will cover:
- Lighting methods
- Charcoal choices
- Heat management – controlling heat, gauging heat levels
- Using wood as a spice
- Roasting veggies in the coals
- Grilling veggies
- Grilling meats:
- Jasper’s Italian Sausage in a Boulevard beer bath
- Pork Tenderloin with Jezebel sauce
- Craig even grills dessert: Grilled Angel food cake with soy/honey/ginger sauce
The class will include generous tastings and will take place in the parking lot of Jasper’s restaurant.
Saturday March 29th, 2014
2:00 – 4:30pm
Jasper’s parking lot
1201 W. 103rd Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
$35 per person
Make your online reservation here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/604041
Deadline for reservations is March 27th, 2014.
All ticket purchases are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your ticket purchase is a donation to Slow Food Kansas City.
Craig has agreed to do a series of grilling classes with Slow Food Kansas City. Upcoming classes with Craig include:
- Grilling 201: Using your grill like an oven
- Grilling 301: Converting indoor cooking to outdoor cooking
by Sharm | Mar 11, 2014 | Articles
Flying Saucer Kansas City will open at 9 a.m. on March 17 for a $10 St. Patty’s Day pancake breakfast. Almost all pints throughout the day will be priced at $3.
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 221-1900
by Sharm | Mar 10, 2014 | Articles
Westport Café and Bar is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with an all-day soiree beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, March 17. The celebration kicks off with brunch, featuring special menu items that guests can enjoy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with the regular menu.
As Westport hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Westport Café and Bar team is also creating a special outdoor beer garden, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the restaurant.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Monday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 1:30 a.m.
- Opening early at 10 a.m.
- Offering special brunch menu and regular lunch menu from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Featuring outdoor beer garden from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Special beer garden beer menu
St. Patrick’s Day Brunch Menu
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (berry compote, lemon butter, maple syrup) 12
Omelet with fine herbs and pommes frites 12
Two eggs any style (hash browns, bacon or sausage) 10
Brioche French Toast (whipped cream, bacon or sausage) 12
WCB Biscuits with sausage gravy (hash browns, bacon or sausage) 12
Corned Beef Hash (two eggs, hash browns, corned beef, roasted tomato) 12
Krizmans Bratwurst (farm to market pretzel bun, Dijon, pommes frites) 10
Chicken Hash (two eggs, hash browns, chicken confit, roasted tomato) 12
Crispy Fried Chicken (brioche French toast, sausage gravy, maple syrup) 13
Shrimp and Polenta (creamy polenta, pork sausage, poached eggs) 14
St. Patrick’s Day Beer Garden Beer List
Bud Light 16oz – $5
Miller Lite 16oz – $5
Coors Light 16oz – $5
Guinness 16oz – $6
Guinness Black Lager – $6
Pabst Blue Ribbon 24oz – $8
Westport Cafe and Bar – 419 Westport Road – Kansas City, MO 64111 – Phone:(816) 931-4740
Westport Cafe & Bar is a casual Paris-style Bistro that offers French-inspired cuisine, craft specialty cocktails, along with a boutique wine and beer list, all in a quaint dining atmosphere that combines the spirit and style of casual Europe and old New York City. Chef Owners Aaron Confessori and Chef Richard Wiles execute classic French-inspired dishes using simple, fresh ingredients and serve a full menu daily through 1:00 a.m. Experience classic dishes like the popular Steak Frites and Escargot paired with handcrafted cocktails infused with fresh fruits, herbs and spices resulting in one-of-a-kind libations. An afternoon happy hour menu features a selection of half price selections as well as with specially-priced beer and wine. Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the restaurant offers an incredible brunch that parallels any found in brunch-savvy New York City. All brunch plates, like the signature Chicken Hash or Brioche French Toast are paired with a complimentary specialty brunch cocktail of choice. Westport Café & Bar is available to host large groups. For more information, visit our website www.westportcafeandbar.com, “like” Westport Café on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westportcafeandbar or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/westportcb.
by Sharm | Mar 10, 2014 | Articles
Executive Chef Michael Smith of SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza has been named the Chef Innovator of the Year by industry authority Nation’s Restaurant News. The MenuMasters Awards recognize winners for creating menu items that the magazine’s editorial board has “judged to have had a significant impact on the industry”. They describe Smith as “a standard-bearer for culinary excellence for the past 20 years”.
Smith, the first Kansas City chef named a James Beard Award winner, has directed the culinary development of SPIN!® Pizza’s menu and recipes since it prepared to open its first location in 2005. SPIN! Pizza’s food and concept also have won numerous awards including being named one of the “Rest of the 101 Best Restaurants” in the nation by top foodie website TheDailyMeal.com.
Known for its exceptional, artisan food made from fresh ingredients without the gourmet price and its eclectic, affordable premium wines, SPIN!’s homemade soups, made-from-scratch salad dressings, as well as its pizza toppings and ingredients are prepared fresh daily from fresh produce and meats. SPIN! also offers an array of appetizers, soups, amazing salads, signature Panini and Italian deli sandwiches, and all natural gelato ice creams.
SPIN! serves a diverse selection of hand-spun, stone-fired traditional thin-and-bubbly crust, rustic whole wheat, and gluten-free pizzas. SPIN! takes the unique step of boosting the flavors by roasting all toppings and ingredients in its stone hearth ovens each day, including mushrooms, caramelized onions, artichokes, and even capers, pecans, pineapple, pine nuts, and pancetta.
SPIN! ‘s Margherita Pizza was crowned one of the best dishes of the year among all the restaurants in the nation by Restaurant Business magazine, it’s ranked number one by Zagat among Kansas City pizza restaurants, it has been named Best Pizza by numerous Greater Kansas City publications, and it’s been awarded Best Gluten-Free Menu.
In addition to its food, SPIN! is renowned for its rotating roster of affordable premium wines priced well below traditional restaurant prices. SPIN! also makes homemade white, red and blood orange sangrias and offers a selection of craft beers.
SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza has six area locations.
4950 Main in Kansas City
1808 N.W. Chipman Rd. in Lee’s Summit.
6541 W. 119th St. in Overland Park
14230 W. 119th St. in Olathe
9474 Renner Blvd. in Lenexa
8224 Mission Rd. in Prairie Village.
For more information, visit www.spinpizza.com.
by Sharm | Feb 28, 2014 | Articles
Below is information taken from an official press release on the Mardi Gras Festival coming to KC.
Saturday, March 1, 2014 in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The crazy festiveness of Bourbon Street will take over the Live! Block for guests to immerse in a Mardi Gras festival experience.
This year’s bash will feature a crawfish eating contest, Cajun food booths, Zydeco music, live DJ, street performers, fire breathers, fortune tellers and of course, an abundance of beads! There will be a parade with mini floats made from shopping carts and all participating bars and clubs will be decked out with Mardi Gras décor. There is free entry into the overall event and guests must be 21 years old or older. Guests have the option to purchase Mardi Gras Bar Crawl tickets, which includes free cover at 15 participating bars and clubs and unlimited drinks from 8 -11 p.m. Guests can purchase tickets at www.missiontix.com/KCMardiGras.
Highlights Include:
- Live entertainment all night
- New Red Onion Jazz Band performing live Zydeco music
- Craw Fish Eating Contests at 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Contestants must be the first to eat 10 Cajun crawfish. Winner receives a cash prize.
- Beignet Eating Contest at 9:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Contestants must be the first to scarf down 10 sweet, powdery pastries. Winner receives a cash prize.
- Most Beads Contest at 11:00 p.m. on the KC Live Stage. Winner is determined by crowd vote .
- Cajun food booths featuring gumbo, jambalaya and dirty rice from Z-Strike and The Dubliner.
- Roving street performers throughout the district, breathing fire, juggling, mimes, stilt walkers and more, 8 – 11 p.m.
- A fortune teller, 8 – 10 p.m.
- Beads galore
- Shopping Cart Parade, a fun parody to the festive Mardi Gras parades held around the country, 9 p.m.
- Mardi Gras Bar Crawl: A party package upgrade that includes all access passes to 15 participating bars and clubs throughout the evening, as well as unlimited domestic beer, hurricanes and well drinks for just $25 in advance/$35 for VIP upgrade to call.
Featured Entertainment:
Ticketing:
- Free entry into overall event, must be 21+
- Mardi Gras Bar Crawl Well Package: A party package upgrade that includes all access passes to 15 participating bars and clubs throughout the evening, as well as unlimited domestic beer, hurricanes and well drinks for just $25 in advance/$35 at the door.
- Mardi Gras Bar Crawl Well Package: A party package upgrade that includes all access passes to 15 participating bars and clubs throughout the evening, as well as unlimited domestic beer, hurricanes and call drinks for just $35 in advance/$40 at the door.
Featured Bars and Clubs:
Angels Rock Bar • Fuego • Hotel Nightclub • Howl at the Moon • Johnny’s Tavern • Living Room Bar • Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge • The Dubliner • McFadden’s Sports Saloon • Mosaic Lounge • PBR Big Sky • Pizza Bar • Shark Bar • Tengo Sed Cantina • KC Live! Block!
About the Kansas City Power & Light District (www.powerandlightdistrict.com)
The Kansas City Power & Light District is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City that is redefining the City from its skyline to its sidewalks. The District links together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments. The $850 million mixed-use District anchors $5 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City. The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with the District’s imaginative and innovative design, has created an intriguing 24/7 neighborhood.
