by Sharm | Oct 29, 2019 | Cocktails & Wine, Food & Drink, Kansas City, Local Restaurants, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
The W owners, Shane and Merideth Veritasi continue to quench your thirst as they have once again transformed a space worthy of praise.
The much awaited Hand in Glove is the product of their handiwork and is a coffee and cocktail bar open seven days a week.
Hand in Glove
Much like The W, they did most the renovation themselves over a two-year period. During the renovation they found the brick building sitting on old railroad ties and had to pour ten feet sections of concrete on three sides of the building.
The space is long and narrow but plenty of natural light flows in from the large window front. The decor is bright and features white marble imported from Turkey along with white subway tile. The red leather bar stools with brass accents add a nice pop of color. The La Marzocco espresso machine has been custom painted to match featuring red trim and brass accents.
LaMarzocco coffee machine
The Snug seating area holds up to ten and features three cocktail tables with U shaped booth seating. If you are coming in with a large party call ahead and ask to reserve the snug seating area.
The Snug
The back wall of the bar features original brick with glass shelving and a custom made library ladder.
Also be sure to notice the unique brass accented light fixtures which took over 55 hours to assemble, wire and hang.
Brass Accented Light Fixtures
Unlike The W, which features more elevated cocktails, the cocktail menu at Hand in Glove will include more familiar drinks for those who aren’t as adventurous. Although, guests are encouraged to experiment with their coffee drink orders by adding a shot of one of the many liqueurs, amaro’s or spirits Hand in Glove offers.
Hand in Glove Cocktails and Coffee
The coffee menu includes all the classic coffee drinks like cappuccinos, espressos and lattes but also features a tapped nitro espresso and tapped nitro latte. Local Post coffee is used for the espresso. The drip coffee is also locally sourced and will rotate between Kansas City area roasters including Monarch, Blip and more.
Hand in Glove House Made Syrups
Seven complementary house made syrups are available for you to doctor up your drink and add a touch of sweetness. Flavors such as honey, agave and cane will stay year around, but other flavors will change with the season so look for pumpkin pie and spiced pear in the fall. Oat milk is available for the milk alternative to avoid any nut or soy allergies and there are plenty of tea choices for those who do not want a cup of Joe.
Pumpkin Pie Flavored Syrup
If you are into day drinking the cocktail menu is available all day and features a variety of batch cocktails on tap including a steali deali which is a play on the aged vodka soaked pineapple drink called the stoli doli found at Capital Grill.
Hand in Glove Steali Deali
There is also an old fashioned, negronish, smoked vanilla, a seasonal sangria and espresso martini. Beer aficionados will appreciate the Stella Artois served from the rare gooseneck branded silver tap. The champagne of beers is available too. Built in smokers are used for specialty drinks.
As evening approaches and into the night you can still get your caffeine fix if needed. But you will notice the sound of the espresso machine is replaced by martini shakers and glasses clinking as friends gather for cocktail time.
Hand in Glove offers plenty of non-alcoholic beverages Including a classic New York egg cream which contains neither egg or cream. But how that drink got its name can be saved for a different blog post. Hand in Glove will make your egg cream to taste using Fox’s u-bet flavored syrup of choice, milk and soda water. Currently there is no food available but eventually they are hoping to add some lighter fare to the menu and include items such as croissants, quiches and pies.
The term hand in glove comes from the early 1900s where local business in the same community collaborated and supported each other. With Hand in Glove being in the heart of downtown Lee’s Summit, they look forward to being part of bars and restaurants of downtown Lee’s Summit which is becoming known as the Strother District.
Hours are Monday through Wednesday 7am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 7am to 1:30am and Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Hand in Glove
6 SW 3rd St,
Lees Summit, Missouri 64063
by Sharm | May 8, 2018 | Articles, Cocktails & Wine, Food & Drink, Food Finds, Health, Lifestyle & Technology, Products & Reviews, Recipes
We have all been there and know that spike and then crash and burn feeling we get after eating a high carb meal. But how can we avoid it while still enjoying some of the foods we love like pasta, bread and even cocktails.
I know it sounds to good to be true, but the makers of Good Idea Drinks, have found a solution. I had the chance to get a sample of these drinks and chat with founder Björn Öste. Keep reading to get the scoop on this sparkling water that can lower blood sugar.
Good Idea Drink
In a nutshell, researchers found a connection between the intake of dairy and a relatively high insulin response. They found that the intake of whey before and with a meal rich in fast carbohydrates could substantially lower the blood sugar spike following a meal.
The effect was also observed with protein that contained the presence of five specific essential amino acids. Repeated meal studies confirmed that the effect on insulin and glucose response from whey could be mimicked by serving a drink containing a proportion of the five essential amino acids before and with the meal.
Good Idea Drinks
As an additional development of the concept, a small quantity of chromium was added. Chromium is well known by scientists to have an important role in blood glucose regulation. Taken together, it was hypothesized that a combination of amino acids and chromium would have a synergistic effect that would further improve the effect on blood sugar rise.
After creating this dink the researchers studies results consistently showed a typical reduction of 25-30% in blood sugar rise following a meal rich in carbohydrates, compared to placebo.
Good Idea Drinks Nutrition
To get the full details of all of the science behind the drink and results of the study can be found on the Good Idea website as well as answers to some FAQ’s.
I had a few FAQ’s of my own and after my chat with Björn here is our Q&A session.
1. How did you come up with the idea for Good Idea Drinks? After learning of the research results from Lund University our company formed a collaboration to create the dink.
2. Can it help people with diabetes? Although it is not specifically targeted for that, it would be something to ask your doctor about to see if it might be a “good idea” to include it into your diet.
3. I have heard chromium can be used as a weight loss supplement. Can Good Idea drinks be used for weight loss? It is not marketed as a weight loss tool. However, studies have shown that chromium has shown to reduce the glycemic index which makes you eat less therefore could cause weight loss.
4. Why does it taste sweet when there is no sugar in it? It is flavored using natural flavor.
5. What exactly is “Natural Flavor”? How do you make it? Where do you get it? Great question.
6. Would it be helpful to drink while eating a dessert? Yes.
8. Would it be good to use as a mixer in cocktails, as alcohol is considered a sugar and most drinks are made with sugary mixers or juices? Yes.
This sparkling water is a little sweet and definitely has the flavor. I loved the idea of making a cocktail with it and had a bunch of limes on hand so thought I would take a stab at creating a “Good Idea” Mojito.
Although, this mojito recipe does not have any actual sugar in it, this flavored sparkling water will help the spike caused by the sugars in the alcohol or added sugars should you decide to sweeten it up yourself. Details on how to do that are listed in the directions of the recipe.
The Good Idea Mojito
I wish to thank Good Idea Drinks for the sample. For more information on the drinks or how to purchase them visit the Good Idea website.
Cover photo from Good Idea.
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by Sharm | Apr 10, 2018 | Food & Drink, Food Finds, Health, Products & Reviews
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a product but when I received an email offering a sample of these high protein Planetarians Sunflower Chips, my interest was peaked. The email noted, “Planetarians is developing high protein snacks for growing population from by-products of the food industry, without the need to grow more crops.”
I was like what? How does that work? I am always looking for a snack high in protein that doesn’t contain nuts so I asked for a sample.
Turns out, the chips are made from sunflower meal which is the by-product from the production of sunflower oil. It’s referred to as an oil cake, which contains both protein and fiber.
I’m kinda on this kick about how much food waste is in our country. Although, there is not much one can do once the food is delivered to the masses, founder Aleh Manchuliantsau explains on the Planetarians website, that using by-products from the production of products (how’s that for a tongue twister) is a good place to start. I like his approach and hope there are others that will follow in his footsteps.
Now, back to the chips. Planetarians Sunflower Chips come in three flavors. Firey Sriracha, Sweet and Smokey BBQ and Sweetly Cinnamon. I got two packages of each in my sample pack. I’ve tried all three flavors and have to say they are all pretty good.
The crunchy texture of these bite-sized squares are a little grainy, but I wouldn’t say its bad, just different. Especially if you are expecting it to be like a greasy potato chip. They are definitely thicker, which makes them a hearty little snack.
I love sunflower seeds and sunflower butter. I would say these have a hint of sunflower seed taste but with the flavoring added you taste mostly that. The flavoring of the Sweet and Smokey BBQ definitely reminded me of the GUYS brand barbecue potato chips, which I haven’t had for years! These were a real a treat that brought back some fun memories of my youth! The Sriracha was not that fiery but had a good spicy flavor. I would say the Sweetly Cinnamon reminded me of the cinnamon and sugar toast I used to eat as a kid.
I try to eat pretty good most of the time and am always looking for healthier snack that is easy to take on the go. They do have some sugar in the seasoning, but they also contain protein and fiber, which is a little hard to find in crunchy snacks these days. Each flavor differs and you can find all the ingredients and nutritional information here.
My bottom line on these would be that although, the texture is not quite that of a potato chip, it does satisfy when you are craving that crunch. The taste satisfies when you craving something salty with the Sweet and Smokey BBQ and Fiery Sriracha flavors, while the Sweetly Cinnamon can cure a sweet tooth.
I would also consider these a transitioning food/snack. By that I mean if you are trying to eat healthier but still like some junk food, replace you snack attack item with Planetarians. It will satisfy the crunch and flavor you are craving while giving you a little more nutrition. If you have some young children or even not so young, try substituting these in place of their other chips and snacks and see if they like them. The pre-portioned packets make them super easy to grab on the go or throw in a lunch box.
If you are interested in trying Planetarians Sunflower Chips for yourself or family, the company is offering 25% off the 1st purchase on Amazon using code: 25cycled
Feel free to comment below if you have tried these and how you liked them.
Happy Snacking!
Sharm
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by Sharm | Mar 18, 2018 | Articles, Events, Local Restaurants, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
There is a new craze in sports and it’s called pickleball. I know it’s a crazy name for a game but it is so fun and I have become slightly addicted playing 11 hours a week!
So, for those of you who don’t know about pickleball, it is a combination of tennis, wiffle ball and life-size ping pong. My best description is that it is played on court similar to tennis but is smaller and the net is lower.
Your paddle resembles a large rectangle ping pong paddle and the ball looks like a wiffle ball.
Chicken N Pickle in Kansas City is spot on with this new craze. With a restaurant on one side and play area on the other. The restaurant specializes in chicken of course and along with amazing food, offers indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. There is also a yard area with life-size versions of dominos, Battle Ship, Connect Four, Jenga, and dice. So even if you don’t play pickleball it is still a great place to hang out and have fun.
In addition to getting your pickleball fix, you can help a good cause as Chicken and Pickle are hosting a variety of charity dinners throughout the year.
For these events, head chef Alex Staab creates upscale gourmet dishes that you won’t find on the everyday menu. Each dish is prepaired using the kitchens rotisserie oven and paired and with a variety wines distributed by the Terra Firma Wine Company.
For this dinner, Chef Alex created dishes using wild boar, ravioli, field greens, lamb and pears. Talk about refined! As you can see by the pic of the menu and dishes, this was no ordinary chicken dinner!
The event I attended was for Jamies Wish Foundation who’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer, by providing a more healing and comfortable environment for receiving infusions.
The dinner was amazing and the dishes elegant and refined. The wine pairings from Terra Firma paired perfectly. It was a delightful evening. The next event coming up is April 4 and will be a benefit for Wayside Waifs, one of Kansas City’s best no kill animal shelters.
If you are into helping a great cause while enjoying a phenomenal dinner. You must attend a charity event at Chicken N Pickle. If you are just into having a great time, you must take a few pickleball lessons and spend some time on the court. Or simply gather some friends and play some games in the yard all while enjoying a great meal! Dishes on the menu include rotisserie chicken, a variety of salads and sandwiches, tacos, pulled pork and more! Chicken N Pickle can also host your next event.
For more information on the dinners, event planning or playing pickleball visit Chicken N Pickle’s website.
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by Sharm | Jun 5, 2017 | Food & Drink, Giveaways, Kansas City, Local Restaurants, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
When Chef Thomas Salamunovch of the fine-dining restaurant Larkspur in Vail, Colorado had a desire to bring fine dining to the masses, the fast-casual concept of Larkburger was born.
Larkburger is a Colorado based fast-casual gourmet burger chain that is quickly expanding beyond it’s borders. Overland Park, Kansas is the first city outside of Colorado to score this restaurant which opened in early 2017. Another location is in the works for the Missouri side just off of the County Club Plaza in Kansas City.
I recently had the chance to try it out thanks to a couple of “free burger” cards they sent me.
Guess what? They want to give you some too along with some other Larkburger swag. Two winners are eligible for that and details are below, but first here are the details on the menu and some really cool things you should know about Larkbrger.
The menu is diverse and a perfect place to take the whole family. From burgers to kale and a few things in between everyone can get something they like. I think one of my favorite options is the steamed edamame.
Larkburger Edamame. Chicken and Tuna burgers
Although, I am a sucker for fries, which are hand-cut in-house and are amazing, it is nice to have an unfired option when I am trying to cut back on calories.
The day I visited I had to grab a to go order for my son and I. The sweet girl taking my order was so patient with me as I could not decide what salad to get. I finally decided on the kale salad.
I knew my son would go for a burger but being the picky eater he is I knew I had to order it plain. I got him the traditional Larkburger with meat, cheese and bun which means he missed out on the special sauce which is made from scratch and what I think is the best part! All burgers are cooked to order at your desired temperature and of course served however you want it. All of Larkburgers sauces and dressings that accompany their array of burgers, sandwiches and salads are made in-house using only the freshest ingredients.
Although, I scored a bite of the burger which was tasty even without the sauce, I really enjoyed the kale salad and appreciate the diversity of the menu items Larkburger offers. It makes it super easy for carnivores and vegetarians alike to both order something that will satisfy their appetite. As I mentioned before it is great place to take the whole family. Not only do kids under 12 eat free on Monday’s with an adult purchase, it allows mom who may be watching what she eats get something satisfying when the rest of the family is craving burgers and fries.
I do need to mention that although a burger is going to have more calories then kale, you don’t need to feel as guilty if you indulge in one at Larkburger. The burgers are fresh and made from local Black Angus beef. That in itself is already going to be lower in calories than the average processed fast food burger that is shipped frozen from who know where.
Everything is fresh at Larkburger including the tomatoes which ripen in an in-house cabinet until they are at peak flavor and the house-cut fries are cooked in a trans free canola oil.
The Larkburger with Hand-Cut Fries
I recently attend a blogger event they had and got a little swag myself along with some tasty samples.
Larkburger Swag
Larkburger Chili
Larkburger Rocket Power Salad
Larkburger Salted Caramel Shake
Apart from having great food, Larkburger is also kind to the environment and takes sustainability seriously. Outside of the condiment packets and juice and milk cartons, everything is compostable. Every napkin, utensil, wrap, cup, bag, box and straw! The size of the restaurant trash can is no larger than a 9×13 baking dish. The space and decor is sleek and clean with the chairs made from recycled materials and the walls are reclaimed cypress wood. In addition, their fry oil is recycled and converted into alternative fuel and 100% of the electricity usage is offset by purchased wind credits.
Larkburger Decor
Larkburger also is committed to supporting local and will source beer and soda from the region the restaurant is in to serve at that location. For a list of all Larkburger location visit their website.
Now in order to get free burgers and swag from Larkburger all you have to do is comment below on how you top your burger!
Two winners will be drawn using random. org from the number of entries. Example first commenter is number on and so on. Contest ends midnight Monday, June 12. Winners will be notified via email so be sure to leave a valid email with your comment. Good Luck!
by Sharm | Apr 23, 2017 | Cities, Food & Drink, Restaurants, Travel, Travel & Resorts
This Chicago dining guide for local fare just highlights some of my favorite spots. If you are serious foodie like me and are spending the day in Chicago, I recommend adding these to your list to check out while visiting. Most of these places fill up quickly so it is best to get your reservation in at least a few days ahead of time if not weeks before dining.
Click on the restaurants link for directions, hours and menu information
Breakfast/Brunch: Farmhouse
The Farmhouse Chicago, Stuffed French Toast
This locally owned cafe is located a few minutes from downtown but feels like an old rustic small town cafe you might find in the middle of Iowa. The decor will take you back to your Grandma’s childhood kitchen with antique furnishings and appliances placed throughout the space. Dishes are prepared using local and seasonal ingredients from area producers as well as the restaurants owners farm.
Must try: Stuffed French Toast with extra syrup
Lunch: Fronterra Grill
Frontera Grill Sopecitos Rancheros
Fronterra Grill owned by Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless, is always on my list when visiting the windy city. The elevated Mexican fare is like non other. Rick is passionate about using produce and meats from local farms. The flavor combinations he uses in his dishes set Fronterra Grill apart from any other Mexican restaurants I have tried.
Must try: Sopecitos Rancheros
Snack: Garret’s Popcorn Shop
A visit to Chicago is not complete without a visit to the iconic Garrett’s Popcorn Shop. Once in the door the caramel corn aroma will have your mouth watering. I prefer the Almond Caramel Crisp, but the Garrett Mix that combines sweet Caramel Crisp with savory Cheese Corn is the most popular.
Must try: Garret’s Mix
Dinner: The Girl and The Goat
The Girl and The Goat
Get your reservation in early for The Girl and The Goat owned by celebrity chef Stephanie Izzard. The dishes are served family style, which make them ideal for sharing. Most come in the “small plate” format so it is ideal to go with a group to try a variety of things. The restaurant serves only dinner and opens at 4:30 pm. This makes a great spot if you are need of dining late as it does not close until 11 pm Sunday – Thursday and 12 am Friday and Saturday.
Must try: Chickpea Fritter
The Girl and The Goat, Chickpea Fritter
