Lit and Ready to Eat

Last Friday was my turn to host our Supper Club.  I decided to stick close to home and chose the new gastropub Gram & Dun on the Plaza. Gram & Dun is part of the trio of restaurants owned by the Bread & Butter Concepts.  BRGR and Urban Table are the other two restaurants.  Supper Club Six visited BRGR last year.  Interesting to note the name Gram & Dun is derived from the owners wives' maiden names.  They must love their mother-in-laws.  After meeting at my place for wine, we headed to the Plaza for our 8 pm reservations.  When we arrived, they were not quite ready to seat us.  No biggie.  We headed to the bar.  The host assured us she could find us despite not handing us any contraption to buzz us to attention.  The place was hopping.

The bar area was packed with fellow patrons waiting to be seated.  We nudged (elbowed) our way to the bar and ordered a round of drinks.  Maggie and I stuck with our standard Dirty Martinis.  They did not disappoint.  Joan--who was in town and making her second guest appearance at Supper Club--ordered a D Cup.   This was by far the most popular choice copied by other members throughout the evening. It was a combination of Kettle One Citron Vodka, St. Germain, lemon and lime juice and simple syrup.  The space in general was very nice.  Although self-described as a Gastropub, it isn't very "pub like".  The decor is almost like a mountain sky lodge.  Exposed wood and leather lend to an upscale feel.  Definitely a different vibe than Baja 600.  Cozy elegant.

Wild Boar and Bison Meatballs

We proceeded to chat away and away and away.  The bar started to clear out and we were ordering a second round.  Something was wrong with this picture.  Around 8:40, I went to see if they forgot us and was assured we would be seated soon.  8:40 became 9 and then finally our host found us.  To be fair, we added a party when we arrived but an hour wait when you had reservations seemed excessive.   We weren't expecting to have two rounds of drinks before we were seated.  When our host finally seated us in a table, we were lit and ready to eat.

Now on to the menu.  Unique is the only way to describe it.  The cocktail, wine and beer list are very extensive.  Our server was delightful and knew her way around the menu.  She answered all our questions and made recommendations.  We ordered an insane amount of appetizers.  Lightly battered peppers--Kathryn ate all of these.  Wild Boar and Bison meatballs, Joan and I inhaled these.  The meatballs were delicious and the sauce very subtle.  We actually did share the first order with the table and then Joan ordered a second round.  We slapped the hands of anyone that tried to have a bite.  We also ordered the potato chips with the unique ketchup trio--a vanilla bean, avocado and blood orange habanero.  Very tasty.   The French Onion Dumplings were excellent combination of Gruyère, sweet onion broth & brioche crouton.

Chicken and Waffles

Kim ordered the short rib grilled cheese.  Although she expected a more interesting variety of cheese (and more of it), she thought it was tasty.  Michelle ordered the mushroom ravioli and I believe licked her plate clean.  She also enjoyed the D Cup Martini but may have instead ordered a Double D.  Holly had the scallops which were served with blackened cauliflower and covered in a Bourbon cherry butter sauce. She said the cauliflower may have been undercooked but I believe most of the vegetables were served more on the crispy side.  I enjoyed the double pork chops.  Very moist.  Perfect temperature and served with brussel sprouts which I've come to love in the last 5 years or so.  I have to admit I did not do my meal justice because I was over served appetizers.  Maggie took home my leftovers.  Joan enjoyed the fried goat cheese and avocado salad.  Kathryn ordered the shrimp and grits with an jalapeno avocado sauce.  Very different dish.  A bit salty so the verdict was so so.  Maggie ordered the dish I wish I had but didn't.  The chicken and waffles.  Cute little round waffles with lightly battered chicken--without the bone.  There was a concern by some the chicken would still be on the bone.  The combination of waffles, chicken and syrup was divine.  I'm so ordering that the next time I go.

Despite being completely stuffed, we ordered a Gram & Dun Bar for the table.  It was a delectable chocolate mousse, peanut nougat, ganache,  and salted caramel bar topped with peanut butter ice cream.  Their version of the snickers bar.

We really enjoyed our experience at Gram & Dun despite the long wait.  Our server more than made up for it in her extensive knowledge of the menu and her genuine engagement with us.  It is nice to see an establishment with a fresh concept on the Plaza.  This location is prime real-estate and I always thought this was the best patio on the Plaza.  We definitely recommend that you try Gram & Dun.

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!

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.

Intimate Dining for 6 Please

First, I'm dreadfully behind on blogging so this post will be devoid of all the details I would have remembered and Room 39 changes its menu on a weekly basis. However, trust me when I say, we all loved our dining experience and left quite happy.

Room 39 is located on 39th Street. Kathryn was our host for the evening and she chose this hip yet cozy restaurant for our June outing. The space has an unassuming store front. Inside you are greeted with a very quaint European cafe setting that could easily come across as pretentious but maintains its warm inviting charm.

As luck would have it, we were seated at a round table. No one was isolated at the corner of the table struggling to hear the conversation and when we get together you don't want to miss anything. Round tables are the way to go. The food was delicious and imaginative served with an artistic flair. However, it was the service that impressed us the most. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about what he was serving both as it related to the menu and the wine list. This became even more impressive when we realized the frequency in which the menu changes. He seemed very interested in the food and it translated into genuine interaction with us that was helpful and in no way intrusive.

We recommend adding this one to your rotation. Oh, and we started the evening with wine and cheese at Kathryn's house. We came to the conclusion that we tend to over do it and it becomes the predinner dinner. Thus, we are now only serving cocktails.

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.

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

 

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