by Sharm | Mar 31, 2010 | Articles
The Culinary Center of Kansas City
This is like a playground for foodies. If you are into food, whether it be eating, cooking, drinking, learning or all of the above, this place is for you.
The Culinary Center of Kansas City is a unique food venue in downtown Overland Park. This little gem offers more than just cooking classes and I am in love with this concept.
I first stumbled upon The Culinary Center of Kansas City a few months ago when I was researching some information on cooking classes. Needless to say, it caught my attention. I was finally able to make the time for a class and will now make it a priority, it was so much fun! The class I took was called “Not Your Nana’s Gnocchi!” and it was great. I remember tasting gnocchi for the first time at Lidia’s Kansas City restaurant a few years ago and thinking “This stuff is amazing, I would love to know how to make it.” Of course I have been a gnocchi lover for a few years now and will order it whenever I see it on a menu. I was interested in the class from the start, but I couldn’t believe my luck when I learned the instructor was Chef Cody Hogan, Chef de Cuisine at Lidia’s restaurant. How could I not go?!! That is where I first fell in love with the dish.
It turns out that it’s pretty simple. It was a great evening getting to have Chef Cody cook for us. During the demonstration, as things were prepared, we got to taste and sample the dishes: YUM!! After the demo we made our way to the cooking station to unleash what we had just learned. Chef Cody came around to check our progress, and he was a wonderful instructor.
Next on my list of classes (I want to take are ALL OF THEM.. but just to name a few) would be, A Sicilian in the Kitchen featuring Jasper Mirabiles of Jaspers restaurant and The Intensive on Spring Vegetables with Chef Cody Hogan, Chef de Cuisine at Lidia’s, Tropical Summer Desserts with Chef Megan Garrelts, owner of the award winning bluestem restaurant. I may even try to get my husband to go the Cooking for Couples “Date Night Dinner for 2”.
But wait, there’s more…
Besides offering all different types of amazing cooking classes with great local and national chefs (Sarah Moulton is scheduled to teach there in June, they offer…
Wine and specialty themed dinners
Tuesday Staff Lunch – Each Tuesday from 11:30-1:30 it is “open to the public” Staff Lunch where you get an incredible lunch at a great price. You eat whatever the chefs make. It is a full lunch including drink and dessert. It is served until the food is gone.
Teambuilding Events – Your group will work together to build trust, develop plans of action, work toward a common goal and celebrate their accomplishments.
Private Events – Let the Culinary Center host your next event.
Kitchenology – A culinary retail shop
Dinners on Demand – Chef prepared frozen dishes
Two special events coming up are:
Saturday, April 10th: Downtown Dinner Club – Just show up anytime between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. and we’ll serve you a “Chef’s Choice” dinner! You’ll be seated “European-style” at community tables where you can converse with friends or meet new ones.
Cost is $25 per person
(Includes full dinner with dessert and nonalcoholic beverages; serving anytime between 6:00-9:00 p.m. only on Saturday 4/10/10; no advance reservations accepted; this is a “walk-in” event only; first-come, first-served … until the food runs out!)
Thursday, April 8th 6:30- 9:30 – Party with a Purpose
All hands on deck for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience benefiting two Kansas City non-profits: Unicorn Theatre and SAVE, Inc. This might be the only time in history when there’s no such thing as “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Attendees will exercise their culinary muscles as we roll up our sleeves and work together to prepare wholesome, delicious meals for the residents of SAVE, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides housing for those living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. Attendees will enjoy a gourmet meal, complete with wine; a hands-on cooking experience with an award-winning chef; and an unlimited supply of warm fuzzies knowing they’ve helped brighten the lives of others.
Cost is $100. Per person; maximum 75 guests
For more information visit www.unicorntheatre.org/spring.htm
Ok, KC. You will be missing out on that culinary playground if you do not check out at least one of the many things The Kansas City Culinary Center has to offer. Here is where to find out about all of the cooking classes and everything else they offer www.kcculinary.com
And as always KC, if you think there is something in the KC food scene I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Mar 29, 2010 | Articles
With Easter only a week away, it is time to make those reservations for Sunday Brunch if you haven’t yet. Here is a list of some places around the Metro offering a special Easter Brunch:
Avenues Bistro
2 options
Buffet Breakfast/Lunch 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or Dinner 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. So whether you choose breakfast/lunch or dinner each one is only $16.95 adults and $9.95 children under 12.
338 West 63rd St
Kansas City, MO
816-333-5700
Reservations highly recommended
www.avenuesbistro.com/menus/EasterBrunch2010.pdf
bluestem
2 options
Spring Tea Saturday, April 3rd Enjoy an afternoon of sipping fine teas with delicate parties and tea sandwiches. Seating’s at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $25 per person and $7.00 children under 10.
Easter Brunch, Sunday April 4th 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ala carte brunch menu and Sunday brunch specialties. Please inquire about pricing and reservations.
900 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO
816-561-1101
http://www.kansascitymenus.com/bluestem/?page_id=26
Bristol Seafood Grill
10:00am – 6:00pm
Brunch Buffet all day
Adults $21.95, Children under 12 $12.95,4 & under: Complimentary
Made to order Omelet and Belgian Waffle bar,Sliced Beef Tenderloin
Bloody Mary Bar
51 East 14th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2918
816.448.6007
http://www.bristolseafoodgrill.com/happenings.aspx?location_id=162&hid=30
Call about reservations
Café Provence
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ala carte menu
3936 W. 69th Terr.
Prairie Village Shops
Prairie Village, KS
913-384-5998
Reservations recommended
http://www.kcconcept.com/Easter%20brunch%20Sunday%20April%204th%202010.pdf
Chaz (Located in the Raphael Hotel)
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ala carte pricing
325 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO
816-756-3800
Reservations recommended
http://www.raphaelkc.com/images/pdf/rh-easter.pdf
Gaslight Grill
Eater Buffet 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Lynn Zimmer and the Jazz band performing 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the back room.
$19.95 adults $10.95 children 6 -12
5020 W. 137th St
Leawood, KS 66224
913-897-3540
http://gaslightgrill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/EasterBuffetJPEG.jpg
Grand Street Café
Easter Buffet 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. $22.95 adults $9.95 children 10 and under
4740 Grand St
Kansas City, MO
816-561-8000
http://www.grandstreetcafe.com/didyouknow.pdf
Reservations highly recommended
Hereford House
Independence location only
Buffet $17.95 adults $10.95 ages 5-12 and 5 and under free
19721 East Jackson Drive
Independence, MO 64057
816-795-9200
http://www.herefordhouse.com/content/independence.php
Reservations recommended
Kansas City Marriot Downtown
Buffet 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 pm. Brunch will be held in the Imperial and Colonial Ballrooms (Muehlebach Tower)
$30.00 adults $13.00 ages 6 -12
This year the Easter bunny will make an extended appearance as well as a magician and balloon artist. Springtime classics will be played on the grand piano.
200 W. 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
For reservations call 816-421-6800
http://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/m/mcidt/mcidt_pdf/Easter%20Day%20Brunch%202010%20KC%20Marriott%20DT.pdf
Oak Room (Located in the Intercontinental Hotel)
Buffet 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$48.00 per person, $21.00 ages 5 -15, 5 and under free
401 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
816-303-2945
Reservations required
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/hotel-features/dining/restaurants/mkcha
Pachamamas
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Set course menu $35.00 per person, $15.00 children under 12 (call for verification)
800 New Hampshire
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-841-0990
Reservations recommended
http://pachamamas.com/menus
Room 39 Mission Farms and Midtown Locations
Set course menu options $25 per person, $12 ages 10 and under
Mission Farms Location
10561 Mission Road
Leawood, KS
913-648-7639
http://www.rm39.com/menus/specialmf.pdf
Midtown Location
1719 W. 39th St
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-753-3939
http://www.rm39.com/menus/special.pdf
Reservations recommended
Yia Yia’s Euro Bistro
Buffet 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$20.95 adults, $10.95 12 ages 12 and under
4701 w. 119th St.
Overland Park, KS
913-345-1111
http://www.yiayiaskc.com/
Reservations recommended
Zest
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $18.95 adults $12.95 children under 12. Special appearance by the Easter Bunny.
10681 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206
913-381-5678
Reservations recommended
http://www.zestkc.com/easter.pdf
To quote my friend Gay, “The brunch at bluestem is to die for.”
So you will certainly be missing out if you don’t take advantage of one of these wonderful meals. You will also get the added bonus of having some one else do the cooking and cleaning.
And as always if you know of a great Easter brunch or anything else in the KC food scene, you think I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Mar 28, 2010 | Articles
A yummy Easter weekend awaits you!
This year I am trading in that chocolate bunny for an afternoon spring tea at bluestem.
bluestem in nationally renown for its wonderful cuisine. They are also up for Best Chef Midwest by the James Beard Foundation for the 4th time this year. So, when you have a chance to have some wonderful delicate pastries and tea sandwiches prepared by them, who could say no? The tea is on Saturday April 3rd, and there are seatings at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
If you would rather brunch on Sunday instead of the Spring Tea on Saturday they are offering a wonderful Sunday brunch April 4th 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Call for reservations.
900 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO
816-561-1101
http://www.kansascitymenus.com/bluestem/?page_id=26
You will be missing out on a wonderful tea time and a great brunch if you don’t check out bluestem. My friend Gay tells me the brunch is to “die for” so looks like either way you can’t go wrong. Enjoy!
And as always if you think there is something I am missing in the KC food scene, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Mar 28, 2010 | Articles
A dining experience that will stimulate the senses and satisfy appetites with bold flavors and fresh ingredients.
Cafe Verona is a wonderful Italian spot in Independence located on the Historic Independence Square. If you have not been to the Independence Square lately it has really changed, and I have some info on that for another time. For now, I am going to just focus on Cafe Verona. For the moderately priced Cafe Verona, the atmosphere is quaint and the food is delicious. It has great specials: On Monday it is all you can eat Spaghetti and kids eat free with each purchase of any main course(1 main course = 1 child eats free); Wednesday is 1/2 price wine from 4 to close; and Happy hour is from 4-6 Monday through Saturday. They even have wine lockers available for the Wine Lover. I have been there many times and am always impressed. Cafe Verona has an extensive menu to please any palate. Whether you are craving the comfort of a classic lasagna or the foodie in you is seeking something adventurous like the Chicken Carciofi, Cafe Verona will satisfy you. A few of my favorite dishes at Cafe Verona are the:
Fig and Walnut Salad
Flatbread Pizza with Pesto Chicken and Balsamic glaze
Grilled Chicken Salad with Raspberry Pistachio
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Gnocchi Trio
To find out more about Cafe Verona here is a link www.cafeveronarestaurant.com/welcome
Entree rage is $8.00 – $21.00
If you have been to Cafe Verona please let me know what your favorite dish is by leaving a comment below. If you have never been I hope you take some time to do so, I promise you won’t be sorry. Enjoy!
Oh, and if you can’t get out to Cafe Verona but are craving it, have it delivered! Their food is delivered to most of Independence, 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm Monday through Saturday by their Sister Company in the McClain Restaurant Group Indy2Go. Check out their web page www.indy2go.com.
And as always if you think their is something I am missing in the KC food scene, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
by Sharm | Mar 26, 2010 | Articles
The fun and informative show on dining and dishing!
For all those foodies who love to dine out, this show is for you. Each episode features 3 people who have recommended a restaurant. Each of the 3 try each other’s recommendations and they get together and dish about it. The fun thing about this is that if you have a favorite place you can let them know and maybe you will be chosen to give the dish on your favorite joint. This is a great way to find out about all of the wonderful metro area eateries. My list keeps getting longer and longer of all the places I would like to try because of this show. It airs on our local PBS station KCPT channel 19 Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. The new spring schedule starts March 25th. To learn more about Check, Please! KC Or about submitting your favorite spot here is the link www.kcpt.org/checkplease I submitted an application earlier was chosen to give the dish on my favorite joint, Room 39. I love that place and it will have its own post soon to tell you all about it. If you can’t wait for details check them out here www.rm39.com That episode will air April 29th.
Don’t worry if you have missed an episode you can watch it online at the KCPT website cove.kcpt.org/program/1100712420
So that is what you’re missing KC! And as always if you think there is something I am missing, Email me
In Good Taste,
Sharm
