Strip Mall with a Side of Personality Disorder

Michelle was in charge of our latest outing of  the Supper Club.  She had us guessing until the last minute in choosing a new Leawood restaurant Fo Thai.   Fo Thai is located in One Nineteen Shopping Center.   This restaurant met with mixed reviews.  I don't mean some of us liked it while others didn't.  Each of us seemed to swing wildly in our reviews from "fun place" to "cheesy" because before our eyes the restaurant was transformed into a second venue.  More on that later.

First impressions when we walked in the door was how different the place looked from other establishments in Leawood.  The restaurant after all is in the strip mall.  A nice strip mall but a strip mall nonetheless.  It is almost too much as you pull the heavy doors and enter into extreme dark.  In fact, you could not really take in the decor until your eyes start to adjust.  We were taken into a lounge area to await our seating.

Kathryn savoring her Outcast

We were seated almost immediately on the second floor which overlooks the main dining room.  The main floor has a ginormous Buddha and water fall.  This is when it starts to sink in that the place feels a bit  "themey".  Almost like, Rain Forest for adults.  However, we were game for anything.  By anything, I mean cocktails.  So we started with one of their signature cocktail called Overcast.  These were delicious pear ginger vodka martini served with dry ice.  Gimmicky? Perhaps.  However, a few of us ordered a second one.

Maggie taking lighting into her own hands

We whipped out our iPhones to read the menus as the candle light wasn't cutting it in the cave like atmosphere.  We ordered the 7-Spice Crusted Crispy Calamari with sweet mango miso sauce and the Tempura Rock Shrimp with spicy “Tom Yum” aioli and their Spring Rolls.  Heavenly.  So far so good.    The entree menu offered an array of what we'd call Asian Fusion.  Although Thai appears in the name of the restaurant that isn't all they offer.

For entrees, we ordered an assortment.  The 7-Spice Crusted Salmon with bamboo rice and red curry sauce was tasty.  It was a little on the hot side for some of us but not for others.  Two of us ordered the Broiled Saikyo Miso Chilean Sea Bass with coconut sticky rice and orange miso glaze.  They were very inconsistent because one version was very tasty and other had an extremely fishy taste.  Pad Thai noodles came with fish sauce and pine nuts.  You could select your spiciness.  Prices were moderate and we did leave filled.

Throughout dinner each of us made our way back to the restrooms.  This was dangerous people.  Too dark and at least one bathroom had a step up that you soon forgot when you exited and stumbled out the door.  The bathrooms were dark and consistent with the theme of the restaurant.  A little additional lighting would be helpful because you shouldn't need a search party to find the toilet.  Thank goodness for iPhones that light the way.

Our waiter was adorable.  I won't mention which member was eyeing this charming twentysomething but it would violate the "I could be his mother" rule. . . . which only narrows it down to 5 of us.  He was friendly and attentive until the end after our table was cleared and we had to hunt him down for a final round.

Sometime around 9ish, a strange thing began to occur.  The main dining room was being cleared as patrons left.  Then before our eyes, it became a dance floor.  The restaurant we entered was transformed into a cheesy nightclub best located in the Power and Light district not Leawood.  It was actually fascinating to watch as surprised patrons avoided the dance floor while a younger crowd began to appear to fill the floor.  Perhaps this is just what the suburbs need to avoid the drive downtown.  We finished our drinks and skedaddled because the music was so loud we were shouting at each other.  Obviously, we are the target customers after 9 pm.

So, by mixed reviews, I mean each of us enjoyed part of the meal, found the decor fun yet cheesy.  Thought the conversion into a downtown nightclub bordering on schizophrenic and predicted the place might be closed before I got around to writing this review.  We hope not.  It is a fun place it just seems out of place in Leawood.  So please go experience Fo Thai and expect to enjoy your evening, eat some fun food and bring a headlamp.

NORM!!!

Holly, Janel and Susan

Season's Greetings from Supper Club Six KC.  We hope this Holy Season was everything you wished.  We commenced the Holiday Season that is otherwise known as the Season of Eating in early December.  This was our Christmas Party so we did not have a designated host.  It happened to be my birthday so that worked out well for me and one of my dearest friends was in town to help me celebrate.  This was not Susan's first time to the rodeo so to speak as she joined us in the earlier years so she knew she was in for a night of gorging on good food and wine.

We decided to have a low key evening on the Plaza to take advantage of the Lights.  We stuck with a K.C. institution --JJ's the west end of the Country Club Plaza.    Most of us have been to JJ's for wine or cocktails but only a couple of us have had dinner at JJ's.  This is surprising considering it is one of KC's most well known local restaurants.  Our evening was phenomenal starting with the service we received at the bar.  We had 7:30 reservations and met in the bar about 7:00 for cocktails.  The bartender was attentive and let us switch our tab to our table without cashing out.  I always appreciate this.    From the moment you walked in the door, you felt like a regular despite the fact we were anything but a regular.  I half expected when I walked in for everyone to yell my name like Norm on Cheers.  It really felt like everyone knew each other.

JJ's has old world charm. Spanish terra cotta tiling, stained glass, arched doorways and dimmed lighting.  Very cozy.  Almost like you stepped into a wine cellar.   We were seated on time and shared a bottle of sparkling wine and a red.  The wine list is one of the most extensive in the city.  We chose a Ben Marco Malbec which was perfect.    The table devoured the Paco Shrimp.  It was large gulf shrimp stuffed with horseradish, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried and served with a Dijon mustard and white wine sauce, garnished with roasted red bell pepper puree. The Goat Cheese and Artisan Cheese plate starter was fabulous.  Just the right amount of appetizers for each of us to have more than just a sampling.

Michelle, Maggie and Kim

For entrees we ordered  Medallion Au Poivre.  This was comprised of grilled filet medallions with a mushroom and black peppercorn cream sauce and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes.  A few of us ordered the petite filet and our waiter suggested we order it with the sauce from the Medallion entree.  Great suggestion.   The soup of the night was a pumpkin puree which was essentially creamy deliciousness.

Petite Filet with Peppercorn sauce

Our wonderful experience at JJ's wasn't just about the food.  Our waiter was very attentive and patient.  We ended up sitting at our table for hours.  We wanted to move to the bar after we settled our bill with the waiter who was leaving but the bar was full so we stayed in the dining room as the rest of the room cleared. Our second waiter came back with left over desserts when we had declined desserts earlier.   How could we refuse?  So we split a Jude's Rum Cake and a cheesecake.  Quite tasty, totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated.  Eventually, our original waiter popped back in the restaurant and joined us at our table for a few minutes and brought over a birthday shot of whiskey.  Did I mention we felt like regulars?

We highly recommend JJ's whether it is your first visit or returning to JJ's after a some time away.   You should definitely add it to your restaurant rotations.   Great spot for special celebrations.  Don't let the never ending construction scare you.  There is plenty of parking in the lots on the West End only a block or so away.

This concludes another year of fantastic food and wine but more importantly time with great friends.  Here's to even better times in 2012!

Schnitzel with a Side of Gulasch

It was my turn to host this rotation of Supper Club Six.  I wanted to choose a type of restaurant that we had not yet reviewed so I went to my roots.   My German roots.  Besides an occasional Brat, none of us indulge in German food so it was a new experience for all of us.  When you think of German or Austrian food, you probably don't envision a fine dining experience but rather you think of Sauerkraut, Weiner Schnitzel, Bratwurst and Strudel.  Well, I'm not going to kid you but you will find some of those on the menu at Grünauer but there are some other surprises.  I may have grown up with some German meals but Austrian is new to me.

We met at my place for some wine before heading to the Freight House District.  Grünauer is located next to Lydia's where the City Tavern was located.  The original Grünauer's is in Old Vienna  but it has been replicated by a family in Kansas City.  The space is very warm with brick walls and dark wood with very high ceilings.  The space remains very similar to how it looked as the Tavern City.

We began the meal with the smoked trout appetizer served with sliced apple, cucumber salad, and apple horseradish. The trout was flaky , moist and very smoky.  Almost as good as my Dad's smoked trout.   The apple horseradish was very tangy and a unique flavor.  My only complaint is there wasn't enough for five of us to have more than a taste.  (We were down a member that night).  We also had a plate of litauer cheese and pate served with rye bread.  Both were delicious and we ordered our first bottle of red--a nice Pinot Noir.  It was a Friday night and the place was hopping which is always nice to see in Kansas City restaurants.

Service was fine except for the amount of time between bringing out appetizers and taking our entree order.  We surmised they must have a very quick turnaround given the smaller menu.  For entree's, we ordered Cordon Blue, Wiener Schnitzel, Hungarian Beef Gulasch and an unfortunate special of the evening.  By unfortunate I mean, it was definitely not what one member expected.  The rest of us were mooning over our platters and practically licking our plates dry (don't worry, we only do that at home).  However, Kim opted for the Sauer Braten and the sauce on the sauerkraut was a clovey cinnamon flavor and the meat was doused with some kind of sauce that Kim said tasted like "#$%".  This coming from someone who likes everything.  So by unfortunate, I mean we all devoured our food and she was left with a plate of bland mashed potatoes and beef that was drowned in a sauce she couldn't escape.  It just wasn't what this German gal was expecting.      

Now back to the entree's we loved!  I opted for the Wiener Schnitzel.  Besides just loving to say Wiener Schnitzel, I do love it.  My plate arrived with two humungous  breaded pork cutlets that did not taste fried at all (I know they were but they tasted "light").  They were definitely not greasy.   Several of us selected for a side dish the trio salad which is small servings of a tomato salad, a cucumber salad and a potato salad.  Very fresh and a nice compliment to the Schnitzel.  Maggie opted for the Cordon Bleu which was a pork cutlet stuffed with smoke ham and emmenthaler and  gruyere cheese.  It was excellent.  Michelle and Holly both ordered the Hungarian Beer Gulasch.  I think it could have served all of Hungary.  (How is that German and Austrian?  I'll check my European History source Wikipedia at a later date.)    Tender chunks of beef drowned in paprika sauce.  (I do think drowning things in sauce is a German thing--and if you like the sauce all the better.  Not so much if you don't.)

There is a Biergarden that was obviously closed for the winter but I suspect some of us will return to check it out and watch the trains go by while we sip our cold German brews.   Although we stuck with red wine with dinner the beer list included many German Bieren such as Weizen, Pils, Hofbrau and Warsteiner.   We capped the evening off by moving to their full bar called the Wunderbar.

We encourage you to try out Grunauer and a great place to take out of town folks.  The service in both the restaurant and the bar was friendly.  Come hungry because the serving sizes are very generous.  We skipped dessert so I plan to save room next time.  It is a nice change of pace from the typical Americano/European fused generic restaurant.  Anytime you can enjoy some authentic ethnic food, I think you should jump right in because it's nice to have the variety.   Go for the great food and stick around for the atmosphere.  Even Kim who was disappointed with her selection, thought the space and the atmosphere would bring her back.  She just may stick with the Schnitzel.

Potpie. Need we say more?

Michelle was our host for our October addition of SupperClubSix.  We were down one member as Kim had other plans.  So Michelle stole Kim's original plan in a classic revenge move and chose PotPie at 904 Westport Road.  Kim chose PotPie for her first hosting but we were thwarted by a tornado.  Michelle decided to commandeer Kim's choice and we are so glad she did.  Sorry, Kim you missed out on an excellent dinner but I bet any one of us would return with you.

I was the last of us to arrive and when I walked into the restaurant, I felt like I walked into someone's home.  Not because of the decor itself but the atmosphere it created.  Complete coziness.  We met on a chilly Thursday night and when you walked inside PotPie you were wrapped in warmth and homemade smells wafting from the open kitchen.

The restaurant itself is a rather small space which contributes to the cozy feel.  The walls are exposed brick and a bar fills half of the room.  The tables are rather close together.  We were seated in a raised area in the front window at a 4 topper with an extra chair squeezed on one end next to a 2 topper.  I was on the edge nearest to the table of two and found it distracting.  I'm not a fan of tables crammed together and that feeling of strangers sitting at your table.  Your conversations can definitely be overheard so don't mention where you hid the bodies or the family silverware.  We also noticed that only one table was large enough for a party larger than 4 so if you have a large group call ahead for reservations.

The menu is on a chalkboard on the back wall and the restaurant is dimly lit so you may need your glasses to read the sign.  I was surprised there were only two types of potpies--the beef & mushroom and the chicken.  Although, there were a surprising number of other choices and sides, we all opted to have a potpie as our complete meal. Between the five of us, we ordered both versions.   A little research on the restaurant uncovered the fact that the owners did not originally have potpies on the menu despite  the moniker.  They just thought the name was cozy and liked the feeling it conjured in their minds.  However, patrons arrived expecting potpies and the owners relented to their demands to add them to the menu.  The results are superb.

These are definitely not your frozen Swanson potpies that you pop in the oven on Friday evenings while you deep condition your hair and watch back to back movies on Lifetime while guzzling a bottle of wine.  No these potpies are delectable and very rich. The pot pies arrived steaming with flaky puff pastry crusts toppling over the edge of the ceramic pie bowls.  Be careful, or you may burn the roof of your mouth or worse your tongue so you can't taste the absolute delicious warm comfort in you mouth.  Both versions were stuffed with piping hot meat and veggies in a subtle hearty sauce.

The wine list had a decent selection and most of the prices were reasonable.  It was served in a small tumbler as opposed to a wine glass.  That also gave it a homey feel.  We were served a basket of bread with butter while we waited a bit for our pies.  They were well worth the wait.  They were large enough for two people to share but of course we didn't and won't when we return either.   We need to go back in the dead of winter when we are needing some warmth.  Maggie had a definite case of the warm fuzzies as she kept saying how warm and cozy the place felt.  All she needed was a pillow and a blanket and I swear she would have curled up on the floor.

We all highly recommend heading to PotPie if you have not already been to this local spot.    This is one I need to remember when I have family or friends in town.

Just Roll Me Out on a Stretcher Please

Kim was our host for the latest gathering. It was a Friday evening in April and we gathered at her house for our predinner drinks. If you recall, the last time Kim hosted we had to divert our plans to sit out a tornado warning. Fortunately, the weather cooperated this go around so we were able to catch up and hang with Kim's ginourmous cats before heading to the restaurant.

Kim chose a Kansas City comfort food institution: Stroud's. Their newest location is off of Shawnee Mission Parkway and just minutes from Kim's house.

We were anticipating a long wait which is typical of the original Stroud's locations where you can expect an hour long wait. Immediate seating was available but we opted for a cocktail in the bar before being seated. The Royals were playing that night and the staff thought this explained why it was a slow evening. I hope so.

As expected the service was great and food was exceptional. The meals are served family-style. We ordered up a bowl of real mashed potatoes, thick cream gravy, green beans, cottage fried potatoes, chicken fried steak and of course, pan fried chicken. Oh, and dinner was topped off with warm from the oven cinnamon rolls. We were crammed around a corner booth. When our meal was served, there was barely room for our drinks on the table. However, given our priorities we found the space.

The fried chicken and chicken fried steak are crusty not bready. The mashed potatoes are pure buttery dense potatoes. We did notice the spuds could use a dose of salt but with the shaker handy everyone could salt to their own satisfaction. The bacon infused green beans are soft and mushy so if you like your beans al dente they aren't for you. You cannot go wrong with Stroud's but you must leave your calorie counter in the car. This isn't for the "no carb" crowd nor would we recommend following dinner with a night of dancing. You must go directly to the nearest couch.

Frankly, the too delectable to stop inhaling food was so heavy and coma inducing that we all agreed that it simply cannot be on your weekly (or monthly) rotation. Save it for special occasions and out of town guests or start training for a marathon. We left stuffed and miserable but in a good way.

Comfort Food with a little Zest

Last night SupperClubSix had full attendance for our seventh restaurant selection.  Holly was the host of the evening, treating us to a spread of cheese and wine at her home before we made our 7:00 p.m. reservations.  The last time we were all together was the infamous Limo and Lights night, so we had some catching up to do and a few of us had a doozy of a week.  Some more "doozier" than others.  Wine and good friends tend to ease the angst of the work week so we were sure to have generous helpings of both. 

Holly chose well once again.  She is 2 for 2.  I think I'm .5 for 2.  If that.  Zest is a new Leawood restaurant in Mission Farms (Mission Road and 106th) that serves comfort food with a bit of zest.  The menu is full of family favorites but all with a bit of a twist and upscale presentation. It is like Mom made the meal after she took a few classes in how to jazz up your favorites.  The owners are Mike Shreiber and Jo DiGiovanni--the original owner of the recently closed Joe D's in Brookside. 

Maggie was waiting for us at the bar and the place was bustling.  This is heartwarming to see given the sad state of our current economy and when each week brings the news of another local restaurant closing its doors.  At least two of the last six restaurants we have reviewed are no longer in business with rumors swirling that at least one other is struggling to stay open.  By the crowd in Zest last night, finding customers is not an issue for them right now.  The decor is trendy yet comfortable with both booths and tables.  We all liked the striped dining room chairs.  Maggie attested to the fact that the bar stools were quite cozy and there are even small nooks on each side of the front entrance for a private lounge--or as private as sheer curtains can provide. 

We were seated immediately in the dining room and ordered a round of martinis from the cocktail list.  Our waitress was gracious and agreed to snap several pictures of us.   For appetizers, we split an order of creole fried calamari and truffle gouda mac and cheese from the Pasta portion of the menu.  We all wanted to try the mac and cheese but not order it for our main course.  Perfect compromise.  We would recommend both choices and we devoured them. This isn't the first time we have split mac and cheese for an appetizer.  A couple of us preferred the mac and cheese served at the Delaware Cafe which sadly just closed.

Four of us ordered the meatloaf which consisted of a combination of ground sirloin, veal and pork served with wild mushroom gravy and goat cheese mashed potatoes.  Excellent--but some of us thought it should have been served a tad warmeer.  I still managed to plow through half of mine and ask for a doggie bag and I'm not a doggie bag type of gal.  (By the way, it tasted great cold when I sampled a bite this morning.)  Kathryn ordered the porter-braised pork shank which she enjoyed.  The meat appeared to just slide off the bone.   Maggie ordered the Cordon Bleu Chicken pasta which I believe was a special but really should be on the regular menu.  Our service for the most part was fine and friendly but there were a couple of requests that had to be asked twice. 

Kathryn selected a bottle of Pinot Noir Au Bon Climate '07 which Maggie and I were more than happy to share with her.  The wine list is extensive not to mention the wine rack that separates the dining area from the bar.

The table split an order of bread pudding with vanilla Bourbon sauce for dessert.  It was like a cinnamon roll smothered in sauce.  Outstanding but we were all miserably full after we finished it.  Maggie ordered the "Babysitter Chocolates" which the menu suggests to bring take home because good babysitters are hard to find.  She bought them for her husband Todd.  

Zest definitely received a resounding thumbs up from the group and many of us plan to return. It was not lost on us that comfort food might be exactly what the folks of Kansas City are looking for right now. 

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