by Sharm | Jun 10, 2010 | Articles
Farm to table dining at its finest.
The Farmhouse Restaurant is located by the River Market Area and tastes like it should be located at the farm (hence the name farmhouse).
The Farmhouse concept is “farm to table” which literally means most everything comes straight from the local farms and right to your table. This is becoming one of my favorite dining concepts.
The Farmhouse uses fresh seasonal local produce, meats and cheeses from local farms around the Kansas City area. There is a board that hangs in the restaurant that lists all the local farms they use and what products they get from them. Everything is prepared in a gourmet fashion and with it being seasonal there is always something different. The restaurant even has a garden in the yard there. I tell you it cannot get any fresher than that.
We were meeting some friends there for lunch and for starters we had the most delightful cheese tray with local cheeses from Green Dirt Farms and house made crackers. I had a luscious pear martini that paired nicely with it. I also got a wonderful French onion soup. I always like trying something new and saw chickpea fritters on the menu. I love hummus and chickpeas in soups and stews so I thought it would be a fun to try. I am glad I did, they were really good. My husband chose the BLT and it had this big thick slice of local bacon served up with all the fresh fixings on homemade bread farm French bread.
I got the chance to visit with the chef of the Farmhouse, Michael Foust. He is a magnificently talented chef and has been professionally cooking for over 20 years. He was getting ready to head to the local fish market to hand select the fish for that evening. He is very particular that everything served in the restaurant is fresh and full of flavor. Michael is one of the best chefs in Kansas City and has been featured in local “Iron Chef” type competitions at The Healthy Food Good Wine event and the Taste of KC.
So I mentioned earlier we were meeting some friends there for lunch. It happened to be my friend Shannon Hood, she writes for frothy girlZ. It is a fun website that features movies reviews and all sorts of pop culture information. Make sure and check it out.
I suggest scheduling a date and go to dinner and a movie with your significant other. You can get reviews on all the lastest movies at frothy girlZ so you can pick the perfect movie for you and have a wonderful meal at The Farmhouse.
The Farmhouse
300 Delaware St
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-569-6032
www.eatatthefarmhouse.com
HOURS :
Lunch:
Monday-Friday : 11am to 2pm
Brunch:
Saturday : 9am to 2pm
Dinner: Wednesday & Thursday : 5pm to 10pm
Friday & Saturday : 5pm to 11pm
Happy Hour:
Wednesday – Friday: 4pm – 6pm
Have a great time! And as always if you have a great food find in KC you think I am missing Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Jun 2, 2010 | Articles
The Panty Dropper Margarita
A dangerously smooth concoction at Margarita’s Kansas City not to be missed!
I had a sample of this luscious libation at the Taste of KC and it was love at first sip. I thought, “Wow! I have got to spread the word on this” because if you have not had one you are definitely missing out! Finds like this are exactly why I write this blog.
So a few days later, I made my way down to the Southwest Boulevard location to get the scoop. Jason Chadwick, the Chief Operations Officer was gracious enough to give me the details. Thank you Jason!
This award winning margarita starts with blueberries, which those of you who know me, know I love a blueberry. I don’t know how many summers now I have spent out at the berry patch picking my own. I even tried growing some blueberry bushes, but that didn’t work out so well.
The blueberries are macerated and then infused with El Mayor Tequila. Blueberries and tequila, tell me…how can you go wrong? That mixture then sits for a week and half. What is left is this deliciously flavored Tequila (which I had the pleasure of tasting).
Once the Tequila is infused to perfection it is time to create the Margarita. It begins by muddling fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries and a slice of lime in a glass, then add in the blueberry infused tequila, some Grand Marnier, add a splash of sweet and sour and presto you have “The Panty Dropper Margarita”. Once you taste it, you will know how it got its name.
Of course Margarita’s doesn’t have just great margaritas. The food is amazing too. My husband is a chips and salsa connoisseur and thinks theirs are some of the best in town.
The owners are Tanya Abarca and Jason Quirarte. Margarita’s was opened 25 years ago by their fathers who were great friends and loved golf. To try and earn money for some golf clubs they decided to sell burritos. Needless to say the burritos were so good they made enough for the clubs and were encouraged to sell them all the time and so Margarita’s was born.
Margarita’s has been so successful that in addition to their original location on Southwest Boulevard, they have opened locations in Lenexa and Gladstone. Margarita’s has a new spawn in the works they want to franchise called Margarita’s Xpress. This concept is going to have the same quality and delicious food they are known for packaged in a fast and affordable setting. Margarita’s Xpress is set to open mid July in Liberty.
With 3 locations around the metro, it should be easy to find one near you. Stop in and try out the Panty Dropper Margarita for yourself and see what happens.
Check out Margarita’s website for more information.
And as always, if you have a great food find in KC you think I am missing Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | May 29, 2010 | Articles
Kansas City’s Local Liquor!
Good Spirits, LLC in Olathe, Kansas is the mastermind behind this lovely libation. I had the chance to taste it at a barbecue event a few weeks ago. It was in a delectable little drink called the Pom10 Lemonade.
Ron Bailey, Vice President of CLEAR10 along with his close friends Chad Fordham and Todd Bukaty wanted to buy a distillery and make a superior vodka here in the Midwest that would gain attention nationwide. About 3 years ago, after extensive research and evaluating existing distilleries, the three decided to build it from the ground up. From there, they spent the next couple of years designing bottles, logos and of course numerous hours pefecting the hand-crafting of CLEAR10. CLEAR10 was launched in March of 2009 in Kansas, then made its way to Missouri in May that same year.
CLEAR10’s mission is to create a super-premium vodka that will demonstrate that the Midwest has much to offer. They are succeeding at it too! In September, 2009, CLEAR10 won a Gold Medal from the coveted Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago. They rated CLEAR10 higher than Chopin, Stolichnaya and Effen.
This Artesian Vodka begins with the highest quality water source and superior hand – selected Midwest yellow corn grain. It is then introduced to a four-column distillation cycle. Each small batch is then passed through a 10-step filtration line at a rate of less than 2 gallons per minute. There is no sugar, citric acid or any other additives.
CLEAR10 is served at some of the best restaurants and bars in KC including: Sullivan’s, Trezo Vino, Capital Grill, Nick and Jakes, Trezo Mare, Zest, Johnny’s Tavern, McFaddens and Shark Bar just to name few! It is also available at most liquor stores throughout the state of Kansas and in Missouri at Gomer’s , Lucas Liquor, Berbiglia, Metcalf Discount Liquors and a few Hy-Vee’s.
So remember the next time you need to lift your spirit, choose Good Spirit’s CLEAR10 Vodka!
For more information visit the Clear10 website.
And as always if you have a great local food find in KC you think I am missing Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | May 24, 2010 | Articles
Fresh Bread “Made to Order”
At Meadowlark Acres, it’s all about fresh, local, home-grown, small-batch
and artisan-crafted to ensure the flavors come through in everything they
create.
Meet Suzanne Frisse owner of Meadowlark Acres. She has been actively gardening and baking for the past 20 years.
Once a corporate trainer who traveled around the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Europe about 80% of the year, she wanted to do something that was garden and baking related. So she gave up the corporate world last September, and Meadowlark Acres was born.
A typical morning at Meadowlark Acres starts at 4:00 a.m. (sleeping in…), and looks like this…
Limoncello cake with oozy boozy glaze in oven, a batch of freshly-made/hand
squeezed lemon curd is in the works, 6 crusty French baguettes are in their
pans waiting to be baked, 4 lbs of crispy thin flatbread crackers will be
made along with a peanut butter and pepper jelly preserves bread, (a new
creation for the day) and roasted red seedless grape focaccia (tastes like
cherry pie, only savory with rosemary and sea salt and evoo).
Are you drooling yet? Do you want to learn how to make some if it?
Suzanne is now teaching pasta making, focaccia baking and pizza making classes
at her home in Stilwell, Kitchens by Kleweno at 4034 Broadway in Westport and various locations in Paola, KS.
Suzanne’s products are so good, local chefs will contact her to make items
for their special event dinners and banquets. One of her favorite chefs to
work with is Jasper Mirabile, Jr of Jasper’s Restaurant. She was honored to
be Chef Jaspers’ bread baker for his Guest Chef Dinner at the James Beard
House in NYC in January. She has also baked many times for Chef Diego Fernandez of
the Overland Park Marriott.
All of Meadowlark Acres breads and baked goods are “made to order”. So
anytime you need something you can just pick up the phone or email them with
your order. 24 hours notice is appreciated, but Suzanne says as long as she
has about 6 hours notice she can accommodate most requests. They are located in Stilwell, KS and it is best to pick up orders but in some cases, delivery arrangements can be made.
If time permits at request, she will make your order just in time for pick
up so it is fresh and warm. How good will you look hosting a dinner party
with a just out-of-the-oven creation?
I have had quite a few items form Meadowlark Acres and they have all been so
delicious. Do yourself a favor and place an order soon. They will bake
just about anything your heart desires!
To order or learn more about classes, call (913.681.5004), email : sfrisse@kc.rr.com, visit The Meadowlark Acres website or find them on facebook: Meadowlark Acres.
And as always if you have a great food find in KC you think I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | May 7, 2010 | Articles
An award winning boutique winery located just 25 minutes south of Kansas City.
We stumbled upon this winery by accident. We were at the Slow Foods Green Eggs and Ham Brunch http://www.slowfoodkc.org/index.htm earlier this spring and met Dennis and Cindy Reynolds. They are the owners of Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery. We were invited back for a tasting and it was delightful. 
We were treated to a selection of their award winning wines and of course could not leave empty handed, since we wanted to enjoy the fruits of their labor another time.
Dennis and Cindy planted the vineyard in 1998. It started as a hobby but once they had 8,000 grapevines, it was no longer possible to work in the vineyard on just evenings and weekends.
They are a lab vineyard for both MU and KSU… and plant new vines every Spring…they currently have 13 different varieties planted and hope to continue to add more vines next year.
Somerset Ridge loves what it does. They grow their own grapes and are committed to not using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They do it all by hand using only sustainable agricultural methods.
Somerset Ridge wines are served in some great local restaurants around KC including Bonefish Grill, Taste, Gaslight Grill, Blue Bird Bistro and Jasper’s just to name a few. They are also available at several retail locations around the city. Visit their website for more information on locations.
http://www.somersetridge.com/retail.html
Even though their wine is available throughout KC it is worth the trip to visit the winery. In their tasting room, tastings are always free, and there is something really cool about getting the opportunity to taste the wines and walk through the vines you are drinking from. 
You can drink a bottle of wine on the veranda and enjoy the day. They also have a unique selection of wine related gifts. I got the best smelling candle there, the scent is Sangria. It is from Pickwick and Co. a local company from right here in KC. http://www.pickwickwax.com
Most weekends they have live jazz which really adds to the fun.
Some upcoming events they have are:
May 8th – 9th they will be part of the Miami County Farm Tour.
May 17th is the Somerset Ridge Wine Dinner at Bonefish Grill 6 -9 p.m. A fabulous 4 course meal paired with Somerset Ridge Wines. $40 per person. Call 913-239-8856 for reservations. Seating is limited.
June 12th will be their second Art in the Vines event. 30 local fine artists will have their works throughout the vineyard so it will be a unique opportunity to enjoy some wine, sunshine and beautiful art by local artists.
Head out to Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery and enjoy some wine today!
Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery
29725 Somerset Road
Somerset, KS 66071
913-491-0038
And as always, if you have a great local food find you think I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | May 6, 2010 | Articles
Overlooking the Independence Square, Ophelia’s offers an eclectic American menu.
My husband Steve and I just stopped in for a cocktail of some sort and ended up staying almost 2 hours!
The night we went we were just going to have a couple cocktails and then move on to another spot on the Square and make it like a pub crawl event to check out some of the other places. Needless to say that didn’t happen, although I am going to shoot for that sometime.
When we got there we saw they were offering a wine tasting event and thought that would be a perfect way to start the evening.
We had the pleasure of sampling 3 wines. The tasting included a Riesling, a Chianti and a Grappler. There was also a special tasting extra of 2 Scotches. It included the Arran Single Malt Scotch and Robert Burns Blended Scotch Whiskey. Everything was great! The Riesling is my favorite!
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Along with the wine tasting was an assortment of wonderful cheeses, artesian crackers and fruit. After the tasting is finished a full glass of your favorite is included. So after indulging in more wine and cheese we thought a dessert would be fun to share. Not that we needed it of course, but we wanted it and decided to share one.
As we gazed at the beautiful tray with all the decadent choices we could not narrow it down to just one, so we got two! Oops!
Dessert consisted of a Caramel Apple Cheesecake and a Mixed Berry Crumble. Both were delicious and the presentation was beautiful. Almost too pretty to eat, but I managed to overcome that.
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The live jazz music at the piano added another level of enjoyment to the evening as well. To me, nights like this are what it is all about: “The Experience”. Take in the atmosphere, the sights, sounds, smell and of course the taste! Eat slowly and enjoy the company you are with.
I absolutely love Ophelia’s. I have been there for lunch and dinner many times and it is a top notch spot in my book. It is wonderful fine dining that can compete with some of the hottest spots downtown.
The menu is an infusion of cultural flavors. There is an array of steak, seafood, duck, and lamb. The dishes are incorporated with layers of flavor making them the epitome of what fine dining should be.
Ophelia’s Corporate Executive is Chef Marshall Roth. Before taking the position at Ophelia’s, Roth has been both The Executive Chef for the Hotel Phillips and The Culinary Consultant for Entertainment Concept Investors.
With ECI, Roth was involved in the opening of some of the restaurants at the Power and Light District. Included in those are Makers Mark Bourbon House and Lounge, Vinino and McFaddens.
Chef Marshall Roth has created the Roth Burger which they feature on the lunch menu. The burger was voted best burger in 2007 by The Pitch. It features ground sirloin, lettuce, tomato, onions, provolone and Executive Chef Marshall Roth’s secret ‘sassy’ sauce on a house baked brioche. All I can say is YUM!
Ophelia’s is truly lucky to have such a talented chef and you are missing out if you do not give them a try.
They are open for lunch and dinner. They also offer live jazz music on the weekends and a Sunday Brunch.
In addition to the restaurant is the “Inn,” a first class bed and breakfast. I have not stayed there yet, but I’m thinking it would be a close romantic getaway for a weekend with my hubby and hope to do it sometime soon.
www.opheliasind.com/welcome
201 N Main
Independence, MO, 64050
Phone:
816.461.4525
Mon – Thurs:
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat:
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun:
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
As always, if you think there is a great local food find I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
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