Limo, Lights, Champagne? Supper Club Six KC Hits the Road

Tis the Season to be festive and festive we were!  Courtesy of Maggie's event planning skills, our restaurant club celebrated the holidays in style on December 12th.  First stop, La Bodega's for some tapas and sangria.  I'd like to write a review of the restaurant but I think we were gabbing and inhaling our food so fast that the only appropriate review would be, "Yum, pass the Sangria."

Kim joined us late but had time for a glass of Sangria and join in the holiday mood.  We were all quite warm and fuzzy when it was time to embark on our Christmas light tour via the limo that Maggie arranged to tool us around town.  The organized contingency of our group (not me) brought along supplies--champagne and glasses, etc.  The champagne flutes were presents from Holly with hand painted Christmas lights adorning them.  Handy Holly.  Thanks, Holly!

The limo driver patiently waited as we clicked several dozen pictures of the ride and us standing by the ride in assorted combinations . . . then we were off!  Riding in style, checking out the lights, drinking champagne, toasting ourselves ad nauseam (literally--but that comes later) and singing along with the Christmas tunes on the radio.  The limousine was very nice and we all agreed that the Tour of Lights needs to be an annual event.  Of course, this was voted on during the first hour by the second hour people were dropping like flies and the vote may have come out differently  . . . sangria and champagne do not mix well for some!  

At one point . . . okay at several points we did actually see some lights but all I really remember is all the laughing and singing and general debauchery inside the limo.  (Well, debauchery by our standards which is essentially a bunch of cross talking gals who were not really listening to one another as they gabbed the ride away through town).  Several of us periodically updated our Facebook Status lest all our less fortunate friends not know how much fun we were having . . . which makes no sense that we would rather update FB than participate in the actual fun we were having.  What can I say, FB is addictive for some of us.  

We stopped by a house that was obviously decorated by someone with a Hoarding Disorder. I think they need to go on Oprah.  Holiday Decoration Overload.  We actually disembarked from the limo and trudged up to the house to peer in the windows with our flutes in hand.  Don't worry so did all the other people driving by to see the display. 

During our second hour, we took up a collection to add a third hour on to our drive.  We made a few pit stops at Quik Trip for potty breaks and Doritoes.  There were at least two stops for more Champagne until finally we realized we were all holiday'd out.  This was about 5 mintues into the extra hour we purchased.  Oh well.  We were all dropped off at secure locations with none of the over served getting behind any steering wheels.  Some faired better than others that night but I will protect the names of the innocent and not so innocent.  

The evening was a highlight of the Season and a great way to spend time with friends.  

Next up?  We don't know . . . but we will be sure to report back.  Supper Club Six KC wishes you all a Joyous 2009. --JMF

  

What's Old is New Again

The Supper Club Six made it through a full rotation of restaurants  and it was time for me to make my second selection.   If you recall, I hosted the inaugural Supper Club Six.  Fear, anxiety and dread fell upon me as I scoured the Internet looking for possibilities.   I wanted to avoid another Vinino's disaster.  Do I go new?  Do I go old?  Finally, I settled on the Delaware Cafe.   Although this River Market restaurant has been around for years, this Spring it began serving dinner under the hands of a new young chef. 

The space is very urban with the exposed brick and high ceilings.  We were seated in the side dining room but I would have preferred to sit in the main room with the bar as that really had a more lively atmosphere.   We were down one as Kim was in Wisconsin for the weekend.  True to our M.O. we ordered up some drinks first and the martini's were a hit.  The wine flowed as well.  Our waiter had the unfortunate problem of constantly running into the screen door collapsed against the wall behind our table.   He seemed genuinely shocked ever time he ran into it.  He was attentive and friendly even supplying Kathryn with a smoke on the patio when she correctly took him for a smoker.  

The table shared a Mac N Cheese appetizer.  We may have ordered a second one I can't recall but it was a divine combination of  fusilli, fontina, white truffle, and bread crumbs.  As you can see from the picture, Kathryn made sure she got her fair share by licking the bowl.  A couple of us ordered the cider brined chicken breast and a couple had the scallops.   Although the group had mixed opinions (don't we always?), in general we found it a fine meal.   No rave reviews but no real complaints.  I would go back but would definitely sit in the bar area.   

The evening was fun.  The conversation . . . well, risque--right Maggie?  Although we did not get our meal for free this time (the only redeeming part of my first selection),  we had a pleasant meal and it is nice to have another option for dinner in the River Market.   --JMF

 

Shoo gnat shoo . . .shoes?

For our sixth meeting of the Supper Club Six, our host Michelle chose a place with a unique concept.  You can try on shoes while you are waiting for your table.  A new open air center with shops, a spa and restaurants opened in Leawood at 119th and Roe called simply One Nineteen.  Soho 119 is a clothing store designed to resemble an art gallery with high end (pricey) designer duds.  The space uses screens hung from the ceilings to divide the open floor plan.  In the back of the store, there is a gourmet restaurant separated from the store by a glass paned wall. 

 

After meeting at Michelle's for wine and cheese, we headed to One Nineteen for our 8:00 p.m. reservations.  Upon entering the store, the women's clothing is on the left and the men's area is to the right.  We made our way to the back of the gallery/store--stopping to check out the displays on the way--and were immediately seated.   A few other diners were seated in the rather small space.  The service was excellent and our waiter was very attentive.  In fact, there appeared to be more servers than customers.    Staying true to our priorities, we began by ordering cocktails from the martini menu.  Our drinks were quickly served and received a thumbs up all around the table.  The vodka dirty martini hit the spot.  For our appetizer, we ordered a platter of antipasto.  Let me remind everyone, this was our second round of appetizers of the evening having consumed about 10 pounds of cheese at Michelle's--but we still devoured the platter without complaint.  

Lamb chops with polenta and a pistachio encrusted chicken were among the specials.  There was a consensus on the chicken which both Maggie and Michelle enjoyed.   Opinions were mixed with regard to the lamb chop and lobster avocado panini.  Two of us really liked the lamb chop and panini we ordered while two others were not as impressed with their entrees--finding the lamb too fatty and the panini bread to hard.   All in all, the food was fine but the prices seemed steep for the portions.  The smaller portions are fine, even encouraged, but the price should also reflect the amount of food on the plate.

Our group did agree that the concept and location are unique (odd actually).  Two things I do not expect to find when I dine are gnats and shoes.  Shoes I can handle but when gnats crash your dinner party the table becomes a bit crowded.  Our waiter apologized several times for the gnats swarming around our food.  I'm not sure what caused the gnats--though we had fun coming up with possible theories.  It gave dinner kind of a picnic feeling and not in a good way.  

We wandered around the store when we were leaving to the chagrin of the wait staff I'm sure.  We were the last people to leave the store and they quickly locked the door behind us.  No one can argue that the clothing and shoes were not beautiful.  If you are in the market for a $625 pair of shoes or a $400 shirt, this store is for you. However, it felt more like a place to go admire clothing for its aesthetic value rather than to purchase anything in the store.  We left wondering whether the target customers even exist in Johnson County--especially given the state of our economy at the moment.  --Janel

Supper Club Six Plus One--Blue Grotto

Maggie was our host in June and graciously chose a restaurant closer to the majority of us -- right near my house!  The Blue Grotto in Brookside opened in May.  It boasts the longest Bar--I've now bellied up to that bar two or three times.  My friend Susan, in town from Lincoln, joined us bringing our Supper Club to seven for the evening. 

We met early for drinks at the bar and Maggie grabbed the tab--I should have ordered more!!  

First, let me describe the location.  The space used to be a sock store.   I probably walked past the store front a hundred times without noticing it but now there is a trendy storefront that catches your eye.  When you walk in,  you step into a very urban and hip bar that you would expect to find in the Power and Light District but not in Brookside.  It definitely fills a need.  On the wall behind the bar are extremely original and tall wine racks.  The bar leads into a dining area in the back with the brick pizza oven in the center of the restaurant and stairs leading to more seating in a loft area.  We sat upstairs. 

The one downside is that it was extremely hot upstairs.  We were getting all the heat off of the oven.  Baby don't like being in a corner but Baby don't like being hot even worse--so I was a tad uncomfortable.   I've gone back and I avoid sitting above the oven.  I'm not sure if they have corrected this issue yet.  

The antipasto platter was superb.   In order to get a sampling of many things on the menu, we ordered three or four pizzas, a couple salads and appetizers.  A couple of the Six thought the pizza was okay but were not wowed by any means.   The pizza is simple and fairly priced.   I tend to have a lower expectations given I'm not a huge pizza fan but I've gone back a couple times and definitely will continue to go.  I enjoy meeting there for drinks and it is a great alternative to other places in Brookside.   Janel

 

Dorothy, We are still in Kansas and its May

Best laid plans of mice and men often go awry . . . and so do dinner plans.  Kim was our host in May and I don't even remember her original restaurant pick but it was located in Westport--we will get back there some other time.  Instead, our plans were swept away when tornado season officially descended upon Kansas City.  We all met at Kim's house for cocktails and appetizers.  Amid all our catching up, we heard over our chatter that certain wail that is all too familiar in the Midwest in Spring--sirens.  We dashed to the windows to take in the greenish pall that had settled over the street.  

So like any safety conscious Midwesterners, we freshened our drinks, turned on the local news coverage, and Kim assigned us all a candle to snuff should we have to make a mad dash for the basement.  Unfortunately, the storm was scheduled to descend upon Kim's neighborhood about the time we would be in our cars headed to the restaurant so she canceled our reservations. We survived the storm and headed to Cactus Grill a block away and had an awesome meal despite it being our last minute choice. 

Great magueritas, fast service (we were pretty much the only people in the restaurant) and Mexican food--what more can you ask for during a tornado.  Janel

Grilled Cheese Heaven--Sometime in March

The Spitfire Grill was the third convention of our Supper Club Six.  Another stellar choice.   Kathryn was the host this evening and went with comfort food in a bistro setting.  The menu is very simple and most of us ordered the specialty--grilled cheese sandwiches.  

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese sandwich was grilled on sourdough bread and several cheeses including a cream cheese and a tomato.  There were several twists on the standard grilled cheese sandwich--including choices of chicken, asparagus or prime rib.  Heavenly--and a very moderate price.  One member (who shall remain nameless) was rhapsodizing over how delicious her prime rib grilled cheese sandwich was and mid bite remembered it was Lent . . . and it was Friday . . . and she's Catholic.   Fortunately or unfortunately, she only had a few bites left.  

The Soup of the Day was creamy squash delight that we all devoured.  Janel

Redeemed !!! J Gilbert's

OK - I admit it, I'm the one who complained to the manager at Vinino's. But it was either that or I was going to have a stroke - I was getting so mad. I LOVE good food, and can even forgive bad service - but I can't tolorate paying for bad food (or no food:) and bad service. It's a disservice to the restaurant if you don't say something.

I also feel when you find a really great restaurant - you have to shout it from the rooftops (or at least invite your friends to join you there). So - after our first Supper Club experience, I wanted the chance to redeem the good name of KC restaurants, and volunteered to host the second installment. It didn't take me long to chose J. Gilbert's as it is one of my favorite places. The Maytag Blue Chips and Mango martinis are reason enough to try it. Well, it didn't take the girls long to figure out my choice and, surprisingly, only 2 of the 6 of us had been there before. So on a cold Friday night, some of us gathered at my house for a glass of wine before heading to the restaurant, where we met up with the rest of the group. We all agreed on the martinis and I'm pretty sure by the fact that the server brought several more through out the evening that no one hated those. I also made the executive decision that we needed the chips - and those too were quickly gobbled up. Between the six of us, we had a good variety of steaks, seafood and chicken, along with the yummy mashed potatoes. A couple of the girls also had dessert - which no one had any complaints with. Throughout the evening, our server made sure we had everything we needed, without hovering or interrupting our conversation. She was awesome !

I'm sure throughout the year, we will be trying all types of different restaurants, with many different reviews. And if we, unfortunately, have an experience like our first, we can always go back to J. Gilbert's where the food and service are consistently awesome.

Bon Appetit ! HAW

Ummm, Where's my Pizza?

Our inaugural Supper Club was held at Vinino Bistro in the Power & Light District on November 29th. I’ll start at the end of the evening. Our entire meal and drinks were comp’ed and we each received a coupon for two free meals. This should indicate the disaster that ensued through the course of the evening. One caveat is that we visited this restaurant in its first couple weeks in business and recent reviews of Vinino’s are much more favorable than our experience so I hope it has improved.

As the first host, I chose the restaurant and did not reveal where we were going until everyone arrived at my house. We are six women, all with different personalities and expectations. Some of us are more vocal than others when met with sub par service and some of us would rather crawl under the table than complain about service—that would be me. However, we were unanimous in our displeasure. Here is a rundown of how the evening played out for us.

The restaurant itself is charming and had definite city atmosphere. It is located at 13th and Grand. We had reservations and were immediately shown to our table when we arrived. It was a Thursday night and with no events at the Sprint Center there were several empty tables. Our waiter was a tad chit chatty for my taste and seemed to want to entertain us with his witty banter more than listen to our drink orders. Fifteen minutes after we ordered, we still didn’t have any drinks. He finally seemed to remember we were there and came back with four of the drinks but apparently forgot two of us. Eventually, we reordered the missing drinks when we selected our appetizers. It was a half an hour before the waiter brought our appetizers. He took one drink order and left the table before any one else could order another drink despite our empty glasses. When he returned he brought with him the wrong drinks, the wrong appetizers and a bad case of adult ADD. Several times our table was approached by a random server who kept trying to give us other people’s orders. She apparently had no idea how the tables were arranged.

Finally, we straightened out the drinks, the appetizers and ordered entrees. In the meantime, about every 5 minutes or so, someone would appear and fill our water glasses. We definitely were well hydrated throughout the evening. Again, there were about 10 tables of customers. That’s it. About an hour after we ordered our entrees, there we sat with our full water glasses. During a restroom run, a couple of our party overheard a gal sobbing into her phone about how horrible her evening was going because her date was complaining so much about the disastrous service and food.

Eventually our entrées did arrive –for three of us. Ten minutes later two other entrées arrived after we asked the waiter to see if he could go find our food. All of the dishes were cold and one of the orders was wrong. One meal was completely missing and the waiter didn’t even notice he hadn’t served one of us. Holly had ordered pizza, presumably one of the simplest items on the menu and it just never came. We called over the waiter and explained that first we weren’t all served and that the food was cold. He was annoyed and took back the food despite a couple of us saying we’d rather just skip dinner at this point. We were all reserved our food but still no pizza for Holly. The waiter dropped silverware, spilled water and brought a wine glass with distinct lipstick marks still smeared on the rim. Holly found the manager and after explaining everything to her, she took care of our entire bill and gave each of us a card entitling us to two free meals in the future. To the manager’s credit, she knelt down next to each six of us and asked us what they could do better and she appeared to listen.

Highlights: The hummus appetizer with olive oil, an olive tapenade and an assortment of bread was very delicious. And Holly was finally served her pizza, it wasn’t the actual one that she ordered but it was great. --JMF

Supper Club Six

Kansas City has many restaurant options for both those who want to venture beyond the steak and BBQ that our city is most associated or those who continue to search for the best steak and ribs the city has to offer. We are six friends who hardly need an excuse to get together but slap the label "club" on your evening and suddenly you think you should start a blog. So we have. Stayed tuned for our reviews of our first two selections--Vinino's and JGilbert's. --JMF