First Impressions - Novel

Kansas City's Newest Restaurant, Novel located 
in the charming Westside neighborhood

The little intersection at 17th & Summit in Kansas City's Westside neighborhood just keeps getting better. Last week Novel opened in a charming century-old house that overlooks 17th Street from its perch atop a small hill there. It's clear that they have been busy getting this place ready. I have personally rehabbed a 100-year-old house before and it's a lot of work. This space used to be home to Lill's on 17th so chef/owner Ryan Brazeal and team had a head start but they undertook some serious renovations all the same. The kitchen is significantly larger (no small feat) and they have added a cozy little bar tucked just off the entrance (a bit like the bar at The Westside Local just around the corner). This place oozes charm and feels like the neighborhood restaurant that it is.

July Amuse Bouche - Recent Dining Highlights

Let me start with apologies to my regular readers (all six of you) for my lack of posts recently. My real job (the one that pays for all these meals) has kept me pretty busy lately.

So, I'm taking the easy way out and doing an Amuse Bouche post - little bite-size treats to keep you busy until the main course is ready.

Here are some of my dining highlights in and around Kansas City recently:

The Omnivore's Delight - Kansas City Butcher Shops

Categorizing myself as an omnivore feels like an understatement. The list of foods I don't eat is so small that my friends can probably recite it from memory (in case you care: blue cheese, raw celery, black licorice). And while this blog leans heavily on the eating out part of my life, you should know that I also cook and eat in quite often as well.

I cook meat all year round but there's nothing quite as exciting as the summer grilling (and smoking) season. Most of us have been grilling at least since Memorial Day but I wonder how many have been taking advantage of of Kansas City's local butchers as the source for their meat. After all, your meal is only as good as the ingredients you start with.

For a city its size Kansas City is fortunate to have quite a few quality butcher shops available. Here are the ones I frequent and some of the reasons why:

Missed Connections - Is This Seat Taken?

You are one of my Westport faves and I was so excited to walk in on a recent (busy) Thursday evening to see four barstools available. How lucky am I? I only need two. But it wasn't meant to be. You looked at me with those beautiful Mexican ojos and tried to let me down gently, "I'm sorry, those seats are taken." The look of heartbreak and bewilderment must have been obvious in my eyes and you explained, "The four people seated there are actually outside having drinks and a cigarette..." motioning to the lively and also crowded outdoor scene, "...but they are coming back in."

Oh, what to do? Wait for them to finish with their outside seats? But what if you rebuff my advances again, reminding me that those seats too are taken by four people who have moved back inside for smokeless drinking, but may wish to return to the great outdoors for a nicotine fix?

Love. Heartache. Longing.

 

"Celebrity" Taster Drinking Game

As noted in a previous post I was recently asked to be a "celebrity taster" for an episode of Bonnie Rabicoff's, In the Kitchen with Bonnie.

I encourage you to watch all the segments to learn more about how Stewart Lane is reviving and re-inventing pickling and preserving.

In the mean time may I suggest a drinking game based on the segment that features me? The rules are simple:

1. Grab your favorite beverage and a shot glass.
2. Click the Play button on the video segment below.
3. Watch closely to the lower left portion of the video.
4. Every time it's ridiculously obvious that I'm actually wearing shorts, take a shot. 
5. Get a designated driver.

Preserving the Harvest - Guest Spot on In the Kitchen with Bonnie

Last week I was asked to be a "Celebrity Taster" for an episode of Bonnie Rabicoff's, In the Kitchen with Bonnie. Celebrity? Not so much. Taster. I'm down with that.

This particular episode is called Preserving the Harvest and features some pretty cool preserved foods prepared by Chef Stewart Lane of Lon Lane's Inspired Creations.

As you can see from the photo below I was joined by (real local celebrity) Elizabeth Alex of NBC Action News.

Video episodes of Bonnie's show are shown on KHEN (Time Warner Channel 17 and Comcast Channel 25) and KCOD (Time Warner Channel 411) and on the web at In the Kitchen's archive. The show is broadcast on the radio on KMBZ as well.

Here's a photo preview of the delicious treats I got to sample...

Click Photo to Enlarge (and read my pithy comments)

Sofa King: Earthy - "Morel Dilemma" Cocktail

Morel Dilemma

A recent business trip to Sacramento found me downtown looking for a place to entertain customers. I landed at Ella Dining Room and Bar. Great food, drinks and service. Highly recommended. If you like a little theater while you eat I recommend a seat at one of the two (large) chef's tables. Good times.

This post is not about my meal, but rather it is about a single cocktail that I ordered at the end of the meal. Pictured here, it's called the "Morel Dilemma" - Candy Cap Mushroom Infused Bourbon, Morel Syrup, Artichoke Amaro, Black Truffle.

I love Bourbon. I love morel mushrooms. I've never tried loving them at the same time however. Here was my chance.