by Sharm | Nov 12, 2010 | Articles
Don’t feel like tackling that turkey this Thanksgiving? Here is a list of places offering some traditional and not so traditional Thanksgiving fare.
Some places are only taking a limited number of reservations so call early to secure your spot.
Gaslight Grill
5020 West 137th Street
Leawood, KS 66224
(913) 897-3540
Thanksgiving Day Buffet
12pm thru 7 pm
$31.95 for adults
$16.95 for children ages 6 years to 12 years.
FREE children under 6 years old
Lynn Zimmer and the Jazz Band will play in the Back Room from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Starker’s Restaurant
201 W. 47th St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 753-3565
Starkers will be offering a three course brunch from 11am 3pm on Thanksgiving Day. A traditional and alternative menu will be offered. Cost is $33 per person.
Julian
6227 Brookside Plaza
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816)214-8454
11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Butternut Squash Soup
Traditional Turkey Dinner – brined and roasted turkey breast with mashed potatoes, cranberries, candied sweet potatoes, stuffing and gravy
Pumpkin cheesecake
Three courses for $30 per person
Buca di Beppo
310 West 47th Street
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816)931-6548
11am to 8pm
Traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and vegetables. The regular menu will be available as well.
Country Keepsakes Tea Room
501 Main
Belton, MO 64012
(816)-348-7888
The Tea Room Buffet will feature:
Oven Roasted TurkeyRoast Beef Brisket–
Crab Cakes
Herb StuffingCheesy PotatoesMashed Potatoes
Sweet PotatoesGreen Bean CasseroleBroccoli Rice CasseroleHomemade Rollsvariety of saladsa plentiful dessert buffet
Beer and Wine menu available
Seating times are: 11:00, 12:15, 1:30, and 2:45
Seating times are in one hour and fifteen minutes increments in order to accommodate all guests. Cost is $25.99 per person.
Benton’s Prime Steakhouse
Atop The Westin Crown Center Hotel
One East Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816)391-4460
Located on the 20th Floor of the Westin Crown Center Hotel, Benton’s will feature over 100 food items as well as turkey, steak, salmon and traditional Thanksgiving fare. Price: $49pp, age 5-10 $15, age 5 and under are free 10:30am-3pm.
Figlio Italian Restaurant
209 W. 46th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64112-1534
(816)561-0505
Thanksgiving Dinner buffet with all the trimmings from 10am. $26.95 per person, $9.95 for children
Shield`s Manor Bistro
121 Main St
Platte City, MO 64079
(816) 858-5557
Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 7 p.m. The $32 meal includes turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry-pecan relish, green beans, buttered corn, house-baked bread and dessert.
Range Steakhouse
One Riverboat Drive
North Kansas City, MO 64116
(816)889-7159
Harrah’s Buffet will serve prime rib, turkey, stuffed salmon and traditional Thanksgiving fare from 11am -9:30pm. Price: $22.99 for adults and children.
The Oak Room
InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza
401 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816)303-2945
Five-course prix fixe meal in the Oak Room for $65/person. They will also have a Rooftop Level buffet, also $65. Children 6-12 are $30 and those 5 and under at free. The rooftop is perfect for Plaza Light watching!
Fran’s Restaurant and Bar
11 E. 14th St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816)221-4551
Open 24 hours and serving a 3 course traditional Thanksgiving dinner from noon on.
The price is $18.95.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
700 W. 47th
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816)531-4800
Open from 12-9pm Thanksgiving Day.
Traditional Thanksgiving meal for $34.95.
Also offering the regular dinner menu.
Plaza III
4749 Pennsylvania
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816)753-0000
Open from 11am-9pm. Offering regular dinner menu as well as a plated Thanksgiving dinner. The plated dinner is all you can eat.
The Capital Grille
4740 Jefferson St
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 531-8345
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant will offer a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner with the bird, dressing and mashed potatoes for $29 per person.
Wil Jenny’s Tables and Tap
6700 W 135th St
Shawnee Mission, KS 66223
(913) 897-1114
Thanksgiving Buffet on the holiday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring fresh salads, peel-and-eat shrimp, herb-roasted turkey, smoked prime rib, beef brisket and pineapple brown sugar pit ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, green chile mac-and-cheese, corn pudding, dinner rolls and a variety of desserts. Adult prices are $21 per person and $12 for children ages 5-12 years old; children under age 5 are charged $4.
Avenues Bistro
Leawood
10681 Mission Rd
Leawood, KS 66206
(913) 381-5678
OR
Brookside
338 W 63rd St
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 333-5700
The two locations of Avenues Bistro — Brookside and the newer venue in Leawood — will offer a $135 take-out dinner that serves eight to ten hungry people.
The selections include a choice of whole roasted turkey, sugar-cured ham or roasted prime rib. A choice of two potato options (mashed spuds with gravy, candied yams, potato casserole or brioche stuffing); choice of one salad (either spinach salad or roasted butternut squash salad); choice of one side dish (green bean casserole, balsamic glazed carrots, roasted butternut squash or corn souffle casserole) and a choice of two desserts from this list: pumpkin pie, pumpkin cream cheese roll, pecan pie, German apple spiced cake, chocolate gateau, or vinsanto cake. All of the dinners include cranberry sauce and dinner rolls with butter. Orders must be made no later than Tuesday, November 23 at 2 p.m.
Whether you choose to go out, order it to go or roast up your own feast. What You’re Missing KC! wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.
If you have a great food find in KC, email me.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Nov 10, 2010 | Articles

A hand crafted masterpiece created just for you.
Parisi Artisan Coffee located on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City is an extension of the locally owned Paris Brothers, Inc, which is a specialty foods distributor in KC. Coffee in essence is a specialty food and one of the largest items Parisi distributes so it only seemed fitting for them to add this division.
My first experience with Parisi came a few years ago when they were at my local Costco handing out samples. I thought it was quite good and I have been buying it ever since. Now that I am all about spreading the word on great local food finds I think you are missing, it only seemed fitting to add them to this blog.
I had the incredible pleasure of attending a “cupping” at Parisi Coffee. With their master artisan roaster John Welsh and director of marketing, Scott Presnell. Now, if you are like my husband and thinking that sounds a bit kinky. I need to explain that a cupping is like a wine tasting but with coffee.
Though not kinky, the cupping is quite intoxicating. The aroma and flavors along with the French press brewing method makes it a delightful experience. John explained that since no two coffee beans are the same, each one has a different roasting method. I found there were many correlations between roasting coffee and cooking methods. Just as you start a piece of meat into a hot pan to form a crust and then lower the temperature to finish cooking or slow roast a turkey for hours, different types of beans are roasted in a similar manner.
Parisi crafts coffees that deliver an exquisite taste experience. The artisan roasting techniques, along with the type of bean gives each coffee a unique and different flavor. Though hard to tell when just sipping a single cup by itself, tasting them side by side really brought out the different flavors of each coffee. I was amazed at how different each one was.

The first tasting was from Kenya and was a great cup of coffee. I did not realize how strong it was until I tasted the next offering which was from Ethiopia, it was much more mild. Next was Costa Rica, it had a much sweeter taste, then the Sumatra, which was very smooth. It was truly unique to experience all the levels of flavor. Parisi also offers an extensive line of chemical-free decaffeinated coffees using the Royal Select water process.

Parisi coffees come from regions all over the globe including Peru, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia and more. What I like most about Parisi is that their coffees are handcrafted from seed to cup. Some beans are certified Fair Trade, some are organic, and some are certified through Parisi’s own artisan standard Eco World Family Farm. Parisi takes pride in visiting the farms and having relationships with the area farmers and growers.
Parisi Coffee hand selects every raw coffee bean based upon quality and has them shipped directly to Kansas City. Then, they individually roast them in very small batches under the watchful eye of their master roaster. Each batch is then quality “cupped” or sampled.

You would think with all this personal attention that it would be priced out of reach, but it is not. Buying local coffee is not only worth the price because your purchase supports area companies and jobs, but in some cases, it is even more affordable than the national alternatives. Parisi’s 2-pound bag they sell at Costco is priced less per pound than even Dunkin Donuts coffee. Which by the way is not actually roasted by Dunkin Donuts, but by JM Smuckers, which also roasts Folgers coffee in the same plant.
Parisi believes that roasting coffee is truly an art form and is hoping to educate consumers in the near future by hosting coffee paring dinners. Just like fine wine and craft beer, Parisi Artisan Coffee is a handcrafted masterpiece.
Parisi coffee is served at some great area restaurants including: Eggstc, You Say Tomato, Pandolfi’s Deli and even Jasper’s. You can find Parisi at most stores throughout the metro and online. Visit Parisi’s website for more information.
If you have a great food find in KC you think I am missing, email me.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Nov 5, 2010 | Articles

Join Bristol Seafood Grill and J. Gilbert’s as they celebrate the release of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage wine, a collaboration between artisan wine-making and some of the world’s greatest artists.
The Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage wine is made from carefully blending the top lots of each vintage for power, elegance and structure.
For $25 (price includes tax and gratuity), guests will enjoy a sample of each of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage wines as well as $25 toward the purchase of dinner. The series includes the following wines:
• 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage (Winemaker – Bob Bertheau)
• 2007 Canoe Ridge Merlot
• 2007 Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
A wine expert from Chateau Ste. Michelle will lead the tastings and educate guests on the core varietals and flavors to look for in each of the wines tasted. One lucky guest will receive a box set of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage wine collection.
Reservations are suggested, but not mandatory. They are only accepting a certain amount of guests for the event, so it is strongly recommended that you call the location you wish to attend ahead of time. Dates, locations and times are listed below.
Bristol Seafood Grill Leawood
Sunday, November 7, 2010
6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
5400 W 119TH ST
Leawood, KS
(913) 663-5777
Bristol Seafood Grill Downtown Kansas City
Monday, November 8, 2010
6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
51 East 14th Street
Kansas City, MO
(816) 448-6007
Or
Monday, November 8, 2010
6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
J. Gilbert’s Overland Park
8901 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS
(913) 642-8070
About Bristol Seafood Grill Leawood
Conveniently located in Town Center Plaza, the Bristol offers the area’s freshest premium seafood, an impressive selection of wines and handcrafted signature cocktails mixed by bar chefs who are well practiced in the art of mixology. The service is seamless and the inviting,upscale casual atmosphere truly sets it apart from other Leawood and Overland Park restaurants. Our vibrant happy hour features ultra-premium cocktails, appetizer and lobster specials, as well as signature handcrafted martinis.
About Bristol Seafood Grill Kansas City An icon in the city since 1980, you’ll find the second KC location just two blocks from the Sprint Center downtown. It offers the area’s freshest premium seafood, an impressive selection of wines and handcrafted signature cocktails mixed by bar chefs well practiced in the art of mixology. The service is seamless and the atmosphere offers a unique blend of the upscale and casual chic. Our vibrant happy hour features ultra-premium cocktails, appetizer and lobster specials, as well as signature handcrafted martinis.
About J. Gilbert’s Overland Park
J. Gilbert’s is a local restaurant that features the highest quality steaks from Certified Angus Beef ® Prime- the highest grade of beef available anywhere.
Enjoy!
If you have know of a great food find, restaurant or event in KC you think I am missing, email me.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Oct 28, 2010 | Articles
Kansas City’s own Spanish Tapas restaurant
“Tapas are a way of life. It signifies leisure, camaraderie, and good humor. In Spain, Tapas are usually accompanied by wine. Spaniards are not so much about talking as they are about eating and drinking. The wine is the medium that holds the conversation with friends and the food together. You make time to enjoy the moment in an unhurried way.”

That excerpt is from the La Bodega website about the custom of Tapas and after reading it, I am adding a trip to Spain to my bucket list. However, until I can get there I have found the next best thing….La Bodega.
There is something about sharing food that brings people together and La Bodega’s offerings of small plates and Tapas, does just that.

The selection of Tapas are amazing and even though I really cannot pronounce any of the names, the flavor combination used to create them are fantastic.
What is not to love about Spanish Serrano ham with Manchego cheese on tomato bread (Jamon Iberico) or thin crepes layered with feta cheese, leeks and basil (Crespelle de Feta y Puerros) and I have to mention one of my personal favorites white bean purée, rosemary & roasted red peppers (Alubias Blancos con Pimiento.) I love this stuff! If you just read about the R Bar you know rosemary is my weakness. It is so good I am working on recreating a version of my own. Once I have it perfected, I will post the recipe.
La Bodega has a large selection of wines, wonderful sangria, specialty cocktails, and the Spanish Coffee, which is set ablaze tableside with cinnamon and sugar. Just as stated above, about the wine holding the conversation, the variety of drinks La Bodega offers pull it all together.

In addition to their Southwest Boulevard location, La Bodega will be opening a second location October 29 in Leawood at the One Nineteen shopping center.

I was invited to the Leawood location for a preview night and had a great time. The new location is beautiful and in true La Bodega fashion the food exceptional. Plates of the white bean puree, assorted skewers, bacon wrapped dates and other sensational Tapas where served alongside their delicious Sangria.

Visit La Bodega at the original Southwest Boulevard location or the sleek new location in Leawood and “make time to enjoy the moment in an unhurried way.”
La Bodega
703 Southwest Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816)472-TAPA (8272)
OR
4311 W 119th St
Leawood, KS 66209
(913)428-TAPA (8272)
If you have a great food find or restaurant in KC email me.
In Good Taste
Sharm

by Sharm | Oct 14, 2010 | Articles

Chef Tio survives to cook another day!
If you are a Kansas City foodie you are probably aware that Chef Celina Tio, owner of JULIAN is currently on season three of the Food Network show, The Next Iron Chef.
While the show is airing, Chef Tio is hosting watch parties on Sunday nights and will feature the dishes she made for that episode.
Last Sunday’s episode Secret Ingredient Challenge had the chefs create two innovative dishes using a duo of American breakfast favorite’s coffee and doughnuts. In the Chairman’s Challenge, the chefs had one grueling hour to innovate classic diner fare like meatloaf and corned beef hash to Iron Chef-quality cuisine. For Chef Tio’s classic, she had to make an innovative dish using the diner classic baked fish with rice pilaf.
We had some friends in town over the weekend and I made reservations for us to go to JULIAN for the Sunday night watch party.

For the coffee and donuts challenge, Chef Tio made an eggs Benedict type dish using an old fashioned doughnut, Canadian bacon, egg and red eye gravy. The second dish was a play on chicken and waffles with a buttermilk-fried doughnut as the base with fried chicken livers on top and a maple coffee glaze. Celina admits that chicken livers are not normal but it is an innovative approach.

To innovate baked fish and rice pilaf, Chef Tio slow baked Salmon and with a porcini and risotto cake topped with a lemon vinaigrette.

There was not a dessert featured in that episode but Chef Tio stuck with the theme and made a doughnut bread pudding with a wonderful vanilla bean sauce.

Whenever I watch Iron Chef or The Next Iron Chef I am always thinking, “I would love to be a judge so I could get to taste all those dishes.” It was such a fun evening getting to taste what was featured on the show. I loved watching the episode and seeing the reaction of others trying the dishes.
We had a wonderful time and the dishes were innovative and delicious. The Judges agreed and Chef Tio is still in the running to be The Next Iron Chef. You can also vote for her to win fan favorite online at www.foodnetwork.com
Thank you Chef Tio for being so creative and offering an experience like this!
If you are interested in attending a watch party reservations can be made by calling JULIAN at 816-214-8454. Cost is $35.00. Some dates are already sold out but a waiting list is available so call today!
Some other secret ingredients for upcoming episodes include fair food, potatoes, and chocolate. The Next Iron Chef airs on Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. on the Food Network.
by Sharm | Sep 30, 2010 | Articles

I am submitting this recipe I created using Nature’s Pride bread.
I received a coupon for a free Nature’s Pride product as part of Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program.
Nature’s Pride is an official sponsor of the 2010 Foodbuzz Bloggers Festival.
If my recipe is selected I will be a Nature’s Pride Ambassador at the Festival, and will have the opportunity to showcase my recipe using Nature’s Pride bread at the Foodbuzz Taste Pavilion.
I hope you enjoy the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
1-package Nature’s Pride Country White Deli Rolls
11-ounce package Goat Cheese
1-clove garlic
1-cup sun dried tomato
½-cup fresh basil leaves
¼-cup olive oil
½-cup balsamic vinegar


DIRECTIONS
Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.
Bring goat cheese to room temperature. Separate deli rolls into halves and place on baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.
While bread is in the oven make balsamic glaze. Put balsamic vinegar in saucepan and bring it to a boil. Let boil 3 to 4 minutes whisking frequently. Remove from heat and let cool.
Once the bread is out, take garlic clove and rub it over each deli roll half then let cool.


Take each deli roll half and spread with a heaping tablespoon of goat cheese. Place 2-3 basil leaves on top of the goat cheese. Chop sun dried tomatoes and place a few pieces over the basil.

Cut each half into fourths place on serving tray. Drizzle with cooled balsamic glaze.

Makes 48 Bruschetta