![~Giveaway~ Natural Grocers Gift Card]()
by Sharm | Aug 7, 2015 | Giveaways, Kansas City, What You're Missing KC!
Natural Grocers in Mission, KS
To celebrate the opening of the new store in Mission, Kansas which opened in July, I’ve got a $15.00 Natural Grocers gift card to give away!
In addition to the gift card giveaway, I wanted to tell you about Natural Grocers 60th Anniversary Celebration on August 13th. The event is going to be held at all locations throughout the Kansas City metro as well as their other locations nationwide.
In celebration of their 60th Anniversary and the birthday of co-founder Margaret Isely, you can enjoy 60% off select products, free limited-edition reusable bags, kids coloring books, and product samples. Enter to win a $60 Gift Card, t-shirts, books, Fit Bit, cruiser bike and more!
Natural Grocers Anniversary Party
In addition to the sales, prizes and specials which go on all day, there will also be and ice cream social from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. featuring ice cream sundaes and root beer floats!
If you are not familiar with Natural Grocers you should be! The Natural Grocer motto is “A Store That Can Change Your Life.”
I have had the chance to shop at Natural Grocers and have been quite impressed. If shopping for quality organic ingredients at reasonable prices is important to you, then Natural Grocers is certainly a store you must check out.
Natural Grocers in Mission, KS
Natural Grocers will not sell any grocery product that contains artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or harmful trans fats. The meats in the store are all from animals that have never been given antibiotics or drugs. The shelves are filled with amazing food, products and organic produce for you, your family and even your pets, all at affordable prices including local products that are even identified by that states flag.
Local Zum Soap made in Kansas City
Local honey from Kansas
Unlike other health food stores, the produce at Natural Grocers is always organic so you don’t have to double check signage about conventional or organic. Check out what they won’t sell and why.
In addition to all of the great products, Natural Grocers has certified nutritionist on staff that can answer any of your health questions as well as nutritional counseling sessions. A variety of health seminars, cooking classes and other events are held throughout the store each month.
Natural Grocers Demonstration Kitchen
Join the {N}power program online to keep track of shopping lists and recipes and then when you give your phone number at checkout you can receive rewards and points towards free products and coupons. The nice thing about using your number is there is no card to carry!!!
I got a tour of the new Mission store and the decor features hand painted murals by Raquel Isely, granddaughter of founder Margaret. Each mural display is of various animals depicting items concerning that department. For instance in the health and beauty section you will find a giraffe applying lipstick, frozen foods features polar bears and penguins playing in the snow and for supplements, protein powders and vitamins you will catch a gorilla lifting weights.
Hand Painted Murals
The Mission store decor is a test market too see how customers like it and I thought it was absolutely adorable!
Now back to the gift card giveaway. To enter just comment below on what your favorite health food item is.
For more information on Natural Grocers you can visit their website.
If you would want to like the What You’re Missing KC! Facebook and Twitter pages as well as Natural Grocers Facebook and Twitter pages that would be great too.
In honor of the birthday celebration contest will run through midnight August 13th. Winner will chosen using Random.org and notified via email so please leave a valid email with your comment.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Mar 26, 2015 | Cocktails & Wine, Kansas City, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
Mad-Men Inspired Cocktails
To celebrate the final season of Mad Men, Sullivan’s Steakhouse Leawood is bringing back the three martini lunch. Cocktails inspired by Roger Sterling, Don Draper and Betty Francis will be featured for a limited time.
The Roger ($11)
Classic man’s man with a little dirty side.
Ingredients
Belvedere 4 Oz.
Olive juice ½ Oz.
Blue Cheese Olives Garnish
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a Boston Shaker. Shake 10-15 times. Strain into a chilled Martini Glass
The Don ($11)
While still a classic character, Don cuts his own path and does things differently.
Ingredients
Hendricks Gin 4 FL Oz.
Vermouth ½ Oz.
Cucumber ribbons Garnish
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a Boston Shaker. Shake 10-15 times. Strain into a chilled Martini Glass
The Betty ($11)
A trendsetter – sexy with a wild side.
Ingredients
Belvedere 2.5 Oz.
Monin Violet Syrup 1.0 Oz.
Fee Bros Peach Bitters 2 Dashes
Pernod .25 Oz.
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a Boston Shaker. Shake 10-15 times. Strain into a chilled Martini Glass. Garnish with a sugared rim and lemon twist.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
4501 W 119th St
Leawood, KS 66209
913-345-0800
by Sharm | Oct 4, 2014 | Kansas City, Restaurants
The Capital Grille, known for its dry aged steaks and award-winning wine list announces the return of its Wagyu and Wine program, a limited-time, gourmet burger and wine pairing experience offered exclusively in the restaurant’s lounge. Now through November 23, 2014, guests of the lounge area can enjoy one of three featured American Wagyu beef burgers paired with a glass of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon or J Pinot Noir for the price of $25.
Best known for its superior marbling and incredible richness, Wagyu beef is highly prized, and it pairs beautifully with wine. This year, in addition to its signature Wagyu Cheeseburger – served on a toasted brioche roll and topped with Havarti cheese, a sunny-side up egg and crisp onions – The Capital Grille has added two equally mouth-watering options: the Kona Crusted Wagyu Burger with shallot mayo and the Wild Mushroom Wagyu Cheeseburger with 15-year aged balsamic. Each burger is accompanied by Parmesan Fries.
The Capital Grille’s American Wagyu beef, also referred to as American Kobe Beef, is sourced from Snake River Farms in Boise, Idaho, which started operations over a decade ago with a small herd of Wagyu cattle from the Kobe region of Japan. Today, its proprietary Wagyu/Angus herd produces what is considered by many to be the finest quality of beef in the U.S., with every step of the process strictly controlled to ensure that this level of distinction is achieved.
The Jordan 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and J Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir, selected by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, not only pair beautifully with the burgers’ distinctive velvety flavor, but they also are rarely available by the glass. The Jordan Cabernet is highly regarded for its rich texture and balance between smooth tannins and dark fruit aromas of blackberry and cassis with nutmeg and vanilla aromas and a lingering finish. The J Pinot Noir has a ripe, full texture, showcasing cherry to black raspberry fruit flavors with a silky finish.
About The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is a fine dining restaurant known for its dry aged steaks and award-winning wine list in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. The Capital Grille features an on-site butcher who dry-ages each steak between 18 and 24 days to maximize its quality. Additionally, the restaurant features a wine list of more than 350 selections, including some of the most highly allocated and sought-after wines in the world. The Capital Grille also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events.
by Sharm | Jun 10, 2014 | Kansas City, Travel & Resorts
The Raphael, a Kansas City boutique hotel noted for its portfolio of romantic getaway and special interest packages, introduces summer travelers to the places and attractions that make for a distinct Kansas City getaway with two new value packages: The Kansas City Zoo Penguin package showcases the Kansas City Zoo’s new Helzberg Penguin Plaza and the antics of Nikita, the zoo’s rock star polar bear, with admission and special amenities plus a bonus coupon valid through July for house-baked cookies and ice cold Shatto milk. The War to End All Wars Century package presents the poignant lessons learned from World War I (1914 – 1918) with a century look-back experience in the National World War I Museum. All packages include choice of accommodations, complimentary self or valet parking, use of Fitness Center, high-speed Internet, newspaper and refreshments in the Lobby morning and afternoon. More packages are available by calling 816.756.3800, visiting the newly revamped raphaelkc.com.
In addition, the Kansas City Plaza hotel offers special summer entertainment and dining options. The Strings on the Green outdoor summer concerts feature a variety of ensembles performing styles ranging from jazz, rhythm & blues, pop and rock music. The concerts are Fridays and Saturdays from 4–7 p.m., weather permitting. TripAdvisor reviewers regard the hotel’s Chaz on the Plaza as one of the city’s top restaurants. Local foodies know it for its distinct brand of regional American cuisine, wine list and weekly dining specials such as Happy Hour and Weekend Jazz Brunch and Sunday Prime Time dinner. It is also one of the premier Kansas City jazz clubs showcasing talents that continue to evolve the music idiom that grew up in Kansas City. More local attractions, live music and culinary event information is available at The Raphael entertainment blog.
About The Raphael Hotel: Readers of Travel+Leisure magazine voted The Raphael one of the 2014 500 World’s Best Hotels. Kansas City’s original boutique hotel is a member of National Trust Historic Hotels of America and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Raphael and its signature restaurant, Chaz on the Plaza, are affiliated with the Autograph Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels selected by Marriott International for their distinctiveness. TripAdvisor reviewers rank The Raphael as Kansas City’s top hotel and Chaz on the Plaza one of Kansas City’s top upscale restaurants.
by Sharm | Mar 17, 2014 | Kansas City, Lifestyle & Technology, Wichita
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 | Feb 6, 2012 | Kansas City, Local Products, Local Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
With Valentine ’s Day just around the corner, I have compiled a list of a few goodies you can find around town to make you day a sweet as can be.
I would say he first thing that to come to mind when most people think about Valentine’s Day s is chocolate. Kansas City has quite a few choices when it comes to that cocoa confection starting with the ever-popular Christopher Elbow.
Food and Wine magazine gave the #1 ranking of their top 10 Chocolates to Christopher Elbow for the No. 6 Dark. It features 61% dark chocolate blended with popping candy to create a unique, irresistible chocolate bar. I had the chance to tour his shop a while back and had no idea the detail that went into making these exquisite chocolates! Now I know why they taste so good. Some take 2, 3 or even more days to make.
You can read more about the tour
here.
Elbows chocolates are of course available at his shop on McGee Street but some other locations around the metro include the Roasterie Café, Brookside Market, Foo’s Frozen Custard, Halls Department Store, Dean and Deluca and Cosentino’s Market. Elbow’s Chocolates are also available nationwide including his store in San Francisco. Here is a link to find all the locations his chocolates are available.
Christopher Elbow Chocolates
1819 McGee Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
ph. 816-842-1300
fax 816-842-1301
Tues – Sat 10a.m. – 6p.m.
Next is Amore Chocolate Pizza Company. Christopher and Annette Cook run this local shop. Annette is a former theater buff and would make these “break a leg” chocolate pizzas as gifts. As popularity of them grew, Annette found herself taking orders for them and Amore Chocolate Pizza Company was born.
Located in Leawood in the Town Center shopping center, Amore Chocolate Pizza Company is also a dessert café and bakery offering a variety of chocolates, desserts, coffees and more. Certain nights feature live music and a fondue bar.
Patric Chocolates have a variety of bars available to purchase including a bar he collaborated with Kansas City’s own Christopher Elbow. His bars are available at the Better Cheddar in Kansas City, various stores throughout St. Louis and online. Visit Patric Chocolates.com for more information.
If it is cakes or cookies you are looking for Kansas City has that covered too. Jude’s Rum Cakes are the creation of Chef and Caterer Craig Adcock who owns Belly Up BBQ. Named after his mother-in-law, Jude’s Rum Cakes are made with only the best quality ingredients. Whole eggs, real butter, Barbancourt Rum from Haiti, a local Rum from Tennessee and locally grown pecans from Missouri Northern Pecan Growers. Once the cakes are made, they are soaked in the rum for 24 hours in order for it to saturate through the cake. The result is a rich, moist, and fragrant cake.
Jude’s Rum Cakes come in three sizes. The large 4-pound version ($50) yields 16 large slices and the smaller size 2-pound ($30) will yield 8 slices. They also bake and sell mini muffin-size and two-bite teaser rum cakes. ($12 – $15)
Order online or arrangements can be made for pick up and by calling 913.526.6708.
If Cheesecakes are your passion check out Cowtown Cheesecakes. Owner Chef Terry Mille has created a variety of flavors and uses local and seasonal ingredients when available. Some flavors include: Strawberry Shortcake, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Key Lime, Lemon, Lemon Blueberry, Strawberry, Pumpkin, Fudge Swirl, Devils Food Cake, White Chocolate Raspberry and Kansas Cream.
Visit CowTown Cheesecake’s website or contact Chef Terry at chefterry@cowtowncheesecake.com for more information on pricing and ordering. You can also find CowTown Cheesecake company on Facebook.
For cookies and other treats such as handmade marshmallows,cake pops and more check out Everyday Organic Cookery. Owner Jamie Milks believes that eating healthy, organic food is something you can do everyday and that is why every thing she makes uses local and organic ingredients. Jamie is a genius when it comes to creating these treats and has spent hours testing and perfecting the recipes. Her cookie dough flavors include: chocolate chip, salted caramel, honey lemon ginger and more. All items are gluten free and are absolutely delicious.
Just for Valentines Day, Farm to Market Bread Company has created a Chocolate Cherry Bread. This Kansas City tradition is available for a limited time only, Feb. 8 through Valentine’s Day. This bread is made with semi-sweet chocolate, Michigan-grown red tart dried cherries and 100 percent cocoa. Like all Farm to Market artisan breads, Chocolate Cherry is made with all-natural ingredients. This year, the recipe is being crafted into 14-ounce round loaves that make perfect gifts or treats for the office.
Farm to Market Chocolate Cherry Bread retails at $5.99 per loaf and will be offered in select Kansas City-area stores from Feb. 8-14 including Cosentino’s Price Chopper’s, Marsh’s Sun Fresh, Westport, HyVee (77th &State Line Rd) Hen House (87th and Lackman), Corinth Hen House, Camelot Hen House, Prairie Village Hen House, Deer Creek Hen House (135th and Metcalf) and Fairway Hen House. Lawrence residents can find Chocolate Cherry Bread at Community Mercantile.
If you are a wine lover, Somerset Ridge Winery will quench your thirst. 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.
www.somersetridge.com/retail.html
Enjoy Valentines Day with your sweetie with one of these sweets! For a list of more local products savory and sweet check out the local products page.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
