by Sharm | Jun 29, 2016 | Events, Farming, Food & Drink, Kansas City, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
On Saturday, July 23, Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival is returning to KC’s Penn Valley Park to celebrate music, food and ideas. Chipotle Mexican Grill’s annual summer event series brings together chefs (locally and nationally renowned), brewers, wine makers and musicians to create an engaging environment and inspire conversation about food and sustainability. To learn more about this FREE festival, check out this video.
Celebrity Chefs – Musician talent will be announced in early summer. Chefs include Andrew Zimmern (three-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer and teacher); Carla Hall (Chef and Co-Host of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Chew,” chef at Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen and author); Colby Garrelts (Chef/Co-owner of Bluestem and rye Restaurants, co-author of “Made in America” and “Bluestem” cookbooks); Gerard Craft (chef/owner of Niche Food Group: Niche, Pastaria, Porano Pasta, Brasserie by Niche and Taste Bar); and Michael Corvino (executive chef and general manager, The American Restaurant).
Eat – Chipotle will serve freshly-made burritos and tacos – including the return of Chorizo! – plus, ShopHouse Kitchen and Pizzeria Locale will serve up delicious food.
Drink – Chipotle has partnered with Boulevard Brewing Company of Kansas City, Mo.; Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Cigar City Brewing from Tampa, Fla., to brew an original Mexican Lager that will be served exclusively at each of the Cultivate Festivals.
by Sharm | Jun 24, 2016 | Food & Drink, Giveaways, Products & Reviews
Up for grabs is a $25 gift card to Scooter’s Coffee so if you are a caffeine junkie keep on reading on how to enter.
Scooters recently gave me a $25 gift card to try out their new organic iced teas and now it’s your turn to get your hands on a $25 gift card to Scooters so you can try them for yourself.
I have to admit I am not a huge iced tea fan but I had the chance to stop into scooters after day of shopping and the tropical hibiscus iced tea I tried recently was refreshing and sweet and unexpectedly delicious.
It is not overly sweet and has a little tartness to it. To enter the $25 gift card giveaway to try the teas for yourself just comment below on what your favorite ice tea flavor is or what you love about iced tea.
Contest will be open for one week and winner will be drawn at random by Random.org. Contest ends midnight, July 1, 2016. Winner will be notified via email so be sure to leave a valid email address with your entry. Good Luck and thanks for entering.
by Sharm | Oct 8, 2015 | Giveaways, Kansas City, What You're Missing KC!
Up for grabs is a SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza Giveaway!
I am giving away a $25 dollar gift card to spend at Spin! any way you like. And SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza is celebrating National Pizza Month by giving you the chance to win a free pizza every month for a year.
To enter for the $25 gift card, just answer the following trivia question.
What percentage of pizzas ordered in the U.S. are topped with pepperoni?
Please comment below with your answer. Winner will be chosen using random.org. Contest ends Midnight, Sunday, October 18. Winner will be notified via email so please leave a valid email with your entry.
The winners will be able to ciao down at any of Kansas City’s own award-winning SPIN! Pizza’s nine area locations including Prairie Village, Lenexa, Olathe and two in Overland Park.
To enter, the free pizza for a year giveaway visit www.spinpizza.com/nationalpizzamonth.
![~Giveaway~ AMC Movie Tickets and New Menu at AMC Fork and Screen]()
by Sharm | Aug 14, 2015 | Articles, Food & Drink, Giveaways, Kansas City, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
AMC Fork and Screen
The AMC Fork and Screen in Olathe has created a new menu with offerings that are far from the popcorn, candy and soda that used to be the normal movie going fare.
You know we have all been there when going to the movies and trying to struggle with when to have lunch or dinner and still make it to the movie on time. Now, with AMC Fork and Screen you can have both!
The AMC Fork and Screen is family-friendly movie theatre-restaurant featuring upgraded seats with a menu that will knock your socks off as well as a full cocktail bar with seat-side service at the push of a button.
Forget about just limited choices of finger foods for your dining options as the new AMC Fork and Screen Menu features gourmet burgers, fresh salads, healthy quinoa bowls, decadent mac and cheese, tacos and more.
I recently had the chance to attend a tasting and screening event and was blown away by the new menu at the AMC Fork and Screen and of course enjoyed the fun of seeing a movie.
The Chef at the AMC test kitchen in Leawood is always working on dishes that use fresh ingredients as well as keeping up with current food trends which is how the Grilled Chicken Quinoa Bowl made it to the new menu at the AMC Fork and Screen in Olathe.
AMC Fork and Screen Chef
This Mediterranean inspired dish consisted of grilled chicken, rainbow quinoa, roasted asparagus, tomatoes, feta cheese, fresh basil and a house-made lemon vinaigrette. The salty feta paired nicely with the asparagus and tomatoes and the fresh basil really added another level of flavor.
Seriously, I cannot believe the dish I just described came from a movie theater! This sounds more like something I would have ate a swanky place on the Country Club Plaza or downtown somewhere. Wouldn’t you agree?
Other items we sampled were:
Wedge Salad Cups: At almost every steakhouse in America you will find a wedge salad on the menu and AMC has taken the steakhouse flavor of this classic wedge salad and wrapped up in a lettuce cup which makes it easy to eat.
AMC Fork and Screen Wedge Lettuce Cups
Gumbo Mac and Cheese: The 4 adult mac and cheese creations include traditional, Mediterranean, bacon gouda and gumbo and will bring out the kid in all us. The gumbo had a nice kick with the jack cheese sauce, andoullie sausage and sweet bell peppers.
The Royal Burger: All of burgers at AMC are made of a custom blend of ground chuck and brisket and served on a toasted brioche bun. You can also upgrade to a bison burger for $2. The Royal Burger consisted of a flavorful patty topped with house-cooked bacon, brie cheese, caramelized onions, baby arugala, fig jam and royal sauce. The combination of the smokey bacon, salty brie and sweet fig jam was excellent. This was my favorite dish out of everything I tried and again, a dish that reminds me of something I would have ate swanky restaurant and not a movie theater. Check out the recipe for this burger below.
AMC Fork and Screen The Royal Burger
After the tasting ended we were able to order an appetizer and entree to enjoy during the movie. I chose the Buttermilk Biscuit Poppers. These garlic cheddar biscuits served with a honey butter are another great sweet and salty combination.
garlic cheddar biscuits
My entree was the quesadilla with grilled chicken, three cheeses and poblano peppers. Guacamole and sour cream are served on the side along with chips and pico de gallo. This dish was large enough to share and could rival any Mexican restaurant in town. Unfortunately I did not get a pic as this dish came after the movie started.
This was my first experience with dining on a full meal while in a dark theater. I loved the food but did find it a little tricky at times to get my bite just right in the dark.
The menu is served all day long and right now given the hot summer we are having and with a kids menu also available, I am thinking moms all over town are going to love the AMC Fork and Screen. What a way to beat the heat, entertain the kids and feed them lunch all in the same venue. I certainly know I would have taken advantage of something like this when my kids were little!
If you arrive early to the movie, enjoying a cocktail at MacGuffins Bar and Lounge is a must! Located inside the theater, this space is great for meeting up with friends or enjoying a drink with your date and features a variety of beers, wines and specialty cocktails.
Since this was an invite only event the theater was not crowded and I did not notice the servers coming in and out to serve the guests. I am looking forward to attending the theater again as a regular patron to see if a more crowded theater is distracting.
I have two AMC movie passes and a popcorn and Coke pass to giveaway courtesy of AMC. To enter just comment below If you have been and please share what you liked about it and if you have not been, please tell us why you want to go!
Feel free to like and follow What You’re Missing KC! It would be most appreciative! Contest ends August 28 at Midnight. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email, so please leave a valid email with your entry.
Royal Burger
Royal Burger Recipe
1 Burger patty cooked and seasoned
2 Tablespoons caramelized onions
3 Thin slices Brie Cheese
1 Brioche Bun
1 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoon fig spread
1 Tablespoon Russian dressing
1/2 Cup baby arugula
2 Slices hardwood smoked bacon
Cooking Directions
Butter both the top and bottom of the Brioche Roll.
Toast Bun until dark golden brown, and warmed through.
Melt Brie Cheese over the cooked Burger Patty
Presentation
Spread Russian Dressing on the bottom Bun
Place Arugula on top of the Russian Dressing
Place Burger Patty with Brie on top of the Arugula
Top the burger with the Caramelized Onions
Place Bacon on top of the Onions
Spread Fig Jam on the inside of the top Bun
Top the burger with the top Bun
Don’t forget to enter the movie ticket giveaway. Visit AMC for more information on locations near you.
In Good Taste,
Sharm
![~Giveaway~ AMC Movie Tickets and New Menu at AMC Fork and Screen]()
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 | Jun 2, 2015 | Hotels, Spas, Travel, Travel & Resorts
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Due to my husbands job we travel to Las Vegas every couple of years for a construction convention that is held somewhere on the strip.
This year we decided to go out early and enjoy a relaxing weekend before the meetings.
Knowing we would be on the strip for the convention, we chose the Hilton Lake Las Vegas as our getaway which is about 30 minutes from the strip in Henderson, Nevada.
There were a few things I liked about the hotel and few things that could have been better.
My first impression was not great as the entrance from the parking garage takes you go through a dated walkway to the hotel entrance. The carpets looked as if they had just been shampooed which is good, but left a musty smell in the hallway. (Could have been better)
Once inside the lobby, the space is bright with large windows, decorative crown molding and fantastic lighting. (I liked it)
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Check in was easy and thanks to hubby’s Hilton Diamond Member Status (due to his Hilton Honors account), we received a lovely king suite upgrade overlooking the courtyard. The room also included free wifi and breakfast. (I liked it)
The breakfast buffet had plenty of choices for my taste and cook to order omelets. (I liked it)
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
The room was quite spacious although I thought some of the fixtures and decor were slightly dated. (Could have been better) The view was absolutely lovely. (I liked it)
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
I say check in was easy as it felt like we were the only guests there. The space is known to host large corporate events and retreats during the week but seemed to be a bit of a ghost town the weekend we were there in early February 2015. This was a toss up for me as it was serine, quaint and quiet which we enjoyed but not seeing very many people made it feel a little deserted.
There is a little village attached to the property that includes a variety of shops and restaurants but not much was going on and most shops were empty. I could see when the property was first opened what a hot spot it was and have a feeling this area was a victim of the economic downturn we had a few years ago. It was very quiet and lovely to walk around. The Italian restaurant Luna Rossa we ate at was very good. (I liked it)
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
There is a large empty space on the property which once housed a casino and in my opinion, I am actually ok that it was closed. One of the reasons we chose to stay at Lake Las Vegas was to get away from the casinos. (I liked it)
The surrounding grounds are absolutely lovely and feel like a bit of mirage with the reflection of the hotel off of the lake and surrounding palm trees. The courtyard area has a nice fire pit where we sat in the evenings and enjoyed a glass of wine. (I liked it)
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
To sum things up I would stay there again. It is a lovely property that just needs a little updating and maybe some good marketing to get things rolling again.
Although, we do like to play a hand of blackjack now and then and will take in a show while in Vegas, it was nice to get away from the strip for a couple of days and enjoy the serine surroundings of Lake Las Vegas.
Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa
1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway, Henderson, Nevada 89011
702-567-4700
