Short and Sweet and Late Blog Post

For our April outing, Holly chose Cafe Europa, located in the Crestwood area of Kansas City.   The restaurant is in a charming space with a very quaint continental bistro atmosphere.  When you enter Cafe Europa, you will find a display case, filled with pastries, cupcakes and other desserts.  Most days, there isn't much reason to go beyond the case.  However, we were there for dinner.  There is a very small bar with enough space for a few patrons to wait to be called to their table.  The dining room is also small but more homey than crowded.

Our service was friendly and prompt.   The menu is a sampling of European fare but also some decidedly American dishes as well.  For an appetizer, we had the steak tartare.  It was delicious.   We all sampled something different for entrees including the wild mushroom risotto with scallops and the pork loin.  Both excellent choices.  Maggie ordered the roasted chicken and walnut salad not quiet realizing the word "salad" meant she was getting a salad.  We'd had a couple glasses of wine by then.   Nevertheless, she enjoyed her entree. As always, we enjoyed the red wine.

The lateness and brevity of this post has nothing to do with the quality of Cafe Europa but more to do with sudden onset slackerness of the blogger.  This was a very nice choice for dinner and it is more than just a place for the ladies who lunch crowd.  We all recommend trying it for dinner.  Finding a place to park was  a bit challenging.  I parked a couple blocks away so be prepared walk off part of your meal on the way to your car.

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.

Dirty Martinis, Ornaments and Hoarders 'tis the Season

It is that time of year again when Supper Club Six takes to the streets in a limo filled with cheer (liquid cheer) and tours the city in search of lights and hoarders.   Before I get to the annual trip to the Christmas Hoarder Extravaganza let me share our dinner experience.  

For our third holiday outing, Maggie once again planned a fun filled evening.   We chose our restaurant by consensus opting for Osteria il Centro a local favorite in Kansas City.   Il Centro is located at 51st and Main.   This was not the first visit for anyone in the group but most of us had not been to Il Centro in a long time.   We expected a wait when we arrived as the place does not take reservations and it was a Friday night.  We waited nearly an hour before we were seated. The front entry is lined in benches and chairs.  That never bodes well if you are expecting immediate seating.   The restaurant is a very warm, cozy and unpretentious  neighborhood Italian establishment.  The tightly arranged tables contribute to the comfortable ambience dominated by a huge wooden bar in the back of the restaurant where those waiting for a table congregate while enjoying their extensive wine list. 

We started the meal with a round of Dirty Martinis.   We are nothing if not predictable.  They did not disappoint but our server did.  It was a busy night but it is always busy at Il Centro on weekends.  Our waitress didn't seem very interested in serving our table so we had to call her over a few times.  She did however bring an extra martini to the table.  Maggie and I enjoyed taking advantage of her mistake and splitting the drink.  Three appetizers made their way to our table--bruschetta, shrimp carciofi and focaccia bread with olive tapenade and red pepper/gorgonzola spread.  These had mixed reviews.  The bruschetta was my favorite.   Grilled bread topped with tomato, capers and fresh basil and Parmesan.  The triangle cut focaccia bread served with the spreads had to replenished because we all enjoyed this appetizer.  The shrimp carciofi was another story.  I can't do shellfish so I didn't go down this road but I heard it was paved with frozen shrimp which had been overcooked.     It had potential but the the subpar shrimp couldn't be overcome by the flavor.   It needed fresh shrimp.   In general, the appetizers were nothing special and a tad boring.  However, we were still enjoying the atmosphere of the packed restaurant.  We had better luck with our entrees. 

We ordered an assortment from the menu.  I had the Spiedini di Pollo which consisted of chicken breasts rolled in Italian breadcrumbs and dripping with amogia sauce served with saffron risotto and vegetables.  The chicken was just the right temperature and the sauce had the perfect amount of garlic--which means it was loaded with garlic.   Maggie and Kim were happy with the chicken marsala which was served spinach and rosemary garlic mashed potatoes.   The mashed potatoes served with Kathryn's Veal Piccata were cold.  We weren't sure why hers were cold when those served with the Chicken Marsala were just right.  The waitress feigned sympathy but Kathryn still found herself eating cold potatoes.  Holly and Michelle both enjoyed the Chicken Walnut Pasta which included penne pasta drenched in a thick gorgonzola cream sauce with sliced chicken and topped with crushed walnuts.  Both thought the dish should have been paired with a side of vegetables.  I should have shared mine as I never made it to that side of my plate.   

Oh, I almost forgot the salads, wait that is because our waitress forgot to mention salads.  We were done ordering our meals and the waitress was leaving our table when one of us mentioned salads.  We thought it was strange she hadn't suggested them to us.  We ordered both the house and the caesar salads.  Very fresh and great precursor to our meal that we would have missed out on enjoying.  We also split a bottle of red wine from one of their specials.  Il Centro's prices are very reasonable so there was no credit card shock when we were evening up at the end.  

This review may sound like we were disappointed but weren't .  Taken as a whole, we really enjoyed our meal.   We had a few cocktails and an ornament exchange.  We were seated at a corner table by the window.  Other than seeing a couple city buses nearly take out Maggie's husband's car, we enjoyed the view.    The consensus was that were weren't wowed by any part of the meal but Il Centro is consistently good.  We do think they need to bring it up a notch and refresh the menu.  Perhaps, the service as well.   However, they shouldn't change it drastically.   It's like an old friend.  Comfortable, cozy and familiar.  We definitely all would return.    It is the unpretentious attitude that brings you back for more. 

Speaking of pretentiousness . . . waiting for us on the curb was our sweet ride--one of those ridiculously obnoxious Ford Explorer looking limousines.  We piled in with our Christmas cookies and flutes--champagne flutes of course.  Then we sat back and enjoyed our guided (well not so guided) tour of the lights in Kansas City.  Our normal driver parted ways with the limo company and our new driver wasn't as enamored with our festive mood and had no clue where to take us.  The whole ride seemed to pass in a blur . . . probably the champagne that someone was forcing me to drink.  Our annual tour would not be the same if we didn't stop at Hoarderville.   We crawled out of the limo and joined the other gawkers on the front lawn.  Wow, vintage creepy Christmas doesn't get old.  Unless you are their neighbor.  

It's been a great year of restaurants.   We are looking forward to next year.   Happy New Year from Supper Club Six! 

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.

It's all Local

Maggie hosted our latest gathering and chose the Westside Local located at 17th and Summit Streets.  We met on a Tuesday night instead of our usual Friday night.  The restaurant strives to use local produce and has a definite urban feel.  The space has exposed brick walls decorated with works by local artists.  It opened about a year ago and this was a first visit for most of us.  We started out in the enclosed beer garden patio which has large communal picnic tables.   The bar area is a tiny space tucked in a side room leading to the patio.   After indulging in a couple cold glasses of beer, we headed inside to our table.  We had the option of sitting outside for dinner but the seating is communal.  We opted for our own table inside.

Our waiter brought us a bowl of the most amazing Castelvetrono olives.  One member may have had more than her fair share of the olives but you can't blame her.  We ordered up their cheese plate for an appetizer passing over other choices such as deviled eggs and garlic fries.  The cheese plate was fine but not really big enough for six people.   We asked for extra bread and were a bit surprised to find they charged us for it when we received the bill.  The dirty martini was excellent but more on that later. 

The beer list is filled with unique craft beer.  I didn't recognize some of them.  The menu is filled with local fare and includes everything from salmon to grilled cheese sandwich.  We ordered a variety of entrees off the menu which is rather short.  Everyone enjoyed their picks.  Those of us who ordered the steak and garlic fries for an entree enjoyed them.  The pork chop was great.  Each was slightly unique.  Our service was fine except for when the waiter spilled my dirty martini all over the table and then didn't offer to wipe it up until I asked him to after realizing he hadn't left to get a towel.  I appreciate he tried to serve me a full martini but it was dripping off the table on to my legs.  

We ended the evening with dessert.  A trio of ice cream that included a berry, a lavender and some kind of honey bacon flavor.  Trust me when I say the bacon flavored was divine.   It was just enough for each of us to have  a few tasted of each scoop.

The Westside Local has a neighborhood feel and we all said we would definitely return.   We'd like to sit out in the beer garden on a Friday night.  Meeting on a Tuesday night shortened the evening for all of us.  

Where Are the Chips and Salsa?

The latest gathering of the SupperClubSix convened at Pardo's Grand Buffett on Southwest Boulevard.  Kathryn was the host and she chose a restaurant to challenge our American perception of what Mexican cuisine really is all about.

Pardo's is located in an old store front and serves authentic Mexican cuisine.  The building has a bright yellow facade.  Most of the restaurant is filled with a large buffet.  There are only a dozen or so tabletops.   The buffet is the main attraction but you can order off the menu.

The buffet consists of spicy pork or chicken, sauteed beef with jalapeno peppers, camerones, chile rellenos, beans , corn or flour tortillas and a salad fix-in's -- all for only eight bucks.  You can't beat the price.   Everything is made from scratch.  Not the reheated fare you typically get in Mexican restaurant chains.

Our reviews were mixed.  Some members enjoyed the authentic fair and wanted more while others wanted salsa and chips ala an American Mexican restaurant.  I was one of the members who went back for seconds. A few of us lacked the constitution for real Mexican food.  These members shall remain nameless but it was about half the members. I will spare you the details.

The staff was very friendly and leave you with the impression that they have a lot of regulars so they enjoy when they see new faces.  I think this place would get alot of after hours business as the people head home from down town.  If you are craving dishes slathered in cheese with a wait staff covered in flair, this isn't your place.  However, if you want a taste of genuine Mexican cuisine at a dirt cheap price, it is worth a trip.

Warning!  No alcohol is served.  Don't worry, Restaurant Club was fully prepared and made sure to schedule pre dinner drinks at another establishment.  Dinner only took 30 minutes so we returned to close out the evening with another round.

Excuse me? There is a man in my bathroom.

SupperClubSix a.k.a. MacNCheeseSix is on a roll.  Or rather a hamburger bun.  Back to back burger joints and both awesome additions to your restaurant rotations.

It was Kim's turn as host and she chose a new Prairie Village spot.  BRGR Kitchen + Bar in Corinth Square at Mission and 83rd street.  It was hopping.  When you walk up you are greeted with a great outdoor patio with a fire place and garage-type doors opening to the bar area inside. ​The main dining room is comprised of shiny concrete floors, wood tables, warm brick walls and metal accents.  We ran into a group of friends partaking in some drinks on the patio.   It was a bit chilly outside last night so I'm sure we found more room then we would have found if the sun was shining.   It actually feels more like a casual wine bar than a burger restaurant.

The place is a lively neighborhood hang out.  Both happy hour and family friendly. All ages are represented from local retirees enjoying a night out to babies snoozing in strollers.  Oh, and you can find a couple four legged friends curled up on the patio, too. We started at the bar (of course). Beer galore.  Cheap to expensive.  By cheap I mean Old Style, PBR.  Classic beer.  The majority of us settled on Blue Moon.  The Dirty Martini's were quite Dirty.

Despite hearing that the wait for a table could be upwards to 90 minutes, we were seated after about 25 minutes.  We ordered our signature appetizer:  Mac n Cheese.  The menu includes a build your own so we opted for adding some garlic and bacon to our version.  Tasty but not a contender for our top Mac n Cheese in KC.  We will continue on our quest. We are M&C snobs.  Despite this, we did practically lick the bowl clean.

The menu is enormous. Almost overwhelming but it encourages repeat visits to try all the different types of burgers and other comfort entrees.  The prices are very moderate.   You can hold on to some of your cash while you enjoy some American classics.  In fact, the restaurant seems to take classic American fare and reinvents it in a funky humorous way.

We all ordered burgers:  Jucy Lucy, The Pittsburger, Mangia, BRGR classic and Philly.  We also ordered the trio of fries which included truffle fries, sweet potato fries and onion straws.  The truffle fries were seasoned with cilantro which is a weird accent that worked.  Burgers were solid. Cooked to order and several options. The Pittsburger was absolutely decadent topped with slaw and fries. Too much to finish.  The condiments are home made and the ketchup was very unique. We had a minor ketchup landslide when Michelle poured some on her plate. It is definitely not thick like Heinz.  The ketchup is no doubt controversial.  People definitely have their opinions about this popular condiment.   The water was a chilled bottle of tap water for the table  served with tiny glasses. Quaint but I guzzle water and we had to constantly ask for more water.

Surprise of the evening?  Walkng into the bathroom and finding a man at the sink.  Oh, wait.  It is a communal unisex bathroom à la Ally McBeal. You share sinks but the individual stalls have gender assignments.  Not sure how we feel about this.  Why should men see how we reapply our faces when we escape to the lou?

We weren't necessarily wowed by the food. It was more that we were impressed with the whole package:  great location, wonderful addition to PV, the space is fun and cozy, and the food hits the spot.  I think we will all be back and I envision some happy hours lounging on the patio.   We highly recommend you check out BRGR.