back in the game

Like anything in life that is easy to put off, updating a blog—once you’ve taken a substantial (say 6-month) break—isn’t easy to start back up again. I’ve decided my self-imposed sabbatical has gone on long enough and it’s time to once again pick up my fork and start writing about the food I eat with it.

Recently I went on an extended vacation in the great American Southwest. We spent a few days in Vegas, the ultimate culinary playground, and then a week in Phoenix—while unable to top Sin City in number of celebrity chef-tagged restaruants per square mile, can definitely boast some great food.

First up, Vegas:

Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris (breakfast):  After a 6:30 a.m. flight from St. Louis to Vegas, for most people, the first thing they would want to do as soon as they got off the plane would be hit the slot machines or blackjack tables. Not me. I had breakfast on my mind, and after a little research, I settled on French bistro Mon Ami Gabi, with its solid reviews, promising menu and outside seating right in the center of the strip in the Paris Hotel.

It was the perfect beginning to kick off a three-day stay in Sin City. I had the Croque Madame, which was wonderful, and a mimosa. The french country bread was thickly sliced and a hearty base for the tender ham and melted Gruyere, and the fried egg on top was a deliciously decadent “sauce” when the yolk was broken. It was served with pommes frites—MAG’s version was more like chips, but tasty nonetheless. My husband ordered the French toast, which came with blueberries, but they kindly substituted with strawberries at his request, and a pillow of whip cream. My dad ordered the ham and Gruyere omelette, served with breakfast potatoes and the aforementioned french country bread, and my mom ordered the fresh fruit bouquet with creme fraiche and mint syrup, a side of toast and thick-cut oatmeal.

All in all, a great start to eating our way through Vegas.

aixois: french for “bleh”

Another KC weekend, another dinner out with foodie friends L and M. Aixois was a place we’ve been wanting to try for awhile now, so to say that we were coming in with great expectations is probably an understatement. Maybe that’s what led to our disappointment with almost every aspect of the cozy little Brookside bistro—maybe if we hadn’t expected delicious food and impeccable service then we wouldn’t have been so underwhelmed. Too bad dropping $60+ without anticipating that I would be in for an incredible meal just isn’t a luxury I and my other twentysomething friends can afford.

aixois

justus drugstore: a food-lover’s paradise

This might be the ultimate foodie post because Justus Drugstore, a restaurant, is the ultimate foodie destination. I had read snippets about the Smithville restaurant in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, USA Today and most recently, the paper of record, so I knew that whatever is going on in that remote little town past Kansas City must be something special. Oh, and it was…

I went with two food-minded friends, L and M, after convincing them we should make the drive and that by all accounts, it would be well worth it. I’ve never been to Smithville, but it struck me as your pretty average small town, but with one big exception—one of the best new restaurants in the country just happens to call it home.

like a phoenix rising from the ashes, lutz’s returns

In my opinion the best barbecue in Jeff, Lutz’s was temporarily shut down a few months ago after a fire apparently started in the restaurant. It must have been relatively minor damage, however, because Lutz’s is already back and better than ever. I went there to get take-out on Friday for the Mr. and I after a long week of work, and it did not disappoint. My turkey was perfectly smoked and sliced thick and my husband’s prime rib was tender and moist minus excess fat. As usual, the homemade chips were outstanding (we like the house seasoning). Two substantial meals for about $17, and it tasted just as delish after a car ride home as it does in the restaurant—the true test of good take-out.

when the blogger’s away…

Been working like crazy with the legislative session in full swing, so that explains my spotty posting. Have lots of foodie adventures to brief you on, so look forward to postings on Blue Koi (KC), Taj Mahal (Columbia), Addison’s (Columbia), JP Winebar (Leawood) and Justus Drugstore (Smithville) in the near future.

battle of the breakfasts

I’ve made two trips to Kansas City recently and a breakfast out was a reoccurring theme, both with my best friend.

First up was Eggtc., which is just south of the Plaza. We walked in at about 9:30 on a Saturday and were seated right away. It was pretty busy, but it seemed as though the crowds were heavier as we were leaving. I’ll chalk it up to lazy Saturday mornings.

le fou frog: c’est bon

The holidays can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for me and my ilk, the holidays mean good food, and usually, a special meal out.

My family stayed out west for Christmas, so it was up to me and my husband to continue the tradition without them while we went back to KC to see the in-laws.

I had a kansascitymenus.com gift certificate to Le Fou Frog (400 E 5th St.), a French restaurant in the River Market that I have wanted to try for years, so that’s where we went. And may I say, trés magnifique!

photographs by Hollis Officer

2009 will be fine

So I have been a little lazy with the posting lately, but in my defense, I am just getting over a nasty case of the flu, and it’s the holidays. Not the time for over-achievement.

My new year’s resolution (because you just have to have one) is to not neglect my blog. And like all resolutions, I’m sure it will stick.

not-so-traveling fork

The traveling fork has been stuck in the drawer these days. I’ve been cooking a lot at home lately and the meals we do eat out are pretty generic (I love Chili’s as much as the next person, but I don’t think you want to hear about the Cajun Chicken sandwich I eat every time I go there). Even trips to Columbia have been few and far between since Thanksgiving.

So here’s the plan. With the crappy economy throwing off my going-out-to-eat-at-great-restaurants hobby, or at least making my meals out less frequent, I’m going to revisit some of the great places I have been to in the last year or so.

Stay tuned.

rip, lutz’s (for now)

So I must be really clueless because today was the first day I noticed that Lutz’s BBQ, and its home, BP, are closed because of a fire.

This happened about a week ago and when I pulled up for gas today (not bbq, sadly), I noticed the place was dark and the signs were scraped off the building. Upon my further investigation (OK, not really much of an investigation. There was a very obvious sign out front), I saw that it was open for gas sales only.

A trailer was set up as a cashier station and the woman inside said that Lutz’s is still open for catering, but she didn’t know what the restaurant’s future will be.

Here’s hoping they can find a new home, or at least, regroup in the BP when it opens again.