Denis Culinary Tours

The word of the year, according to Merriam Webster, is a suffix.   This got me thinking . . . Despite the freneticism, the skepticism, and the commercialism, one of the reasons I truly love the holidays is the details.  Mostly, besides the good feelings I, and most others, seem to automatically have, it’s the new décor that interests me. The small, or large, touches that whisper, or shout, hey, there’s something special going on -- so lookie here, lookie here. Our K.C. restaurants, like those everywhere, join in this spirit.  Sure, it’s a great season for eating out but I get the feeling it’s more than a chore.  The purple tree at Bo Lings Plaza is festive and different.  801 Chophouse in Leawood has a giant tree not to be missed.  Walk into the Hilton President and gander at the garland, the tree and the many touches in this classic place before you dine at Providence .  Walk the Plaza streets and even look at the light poles befor...

It occurs to me that not only is it already December, but that brings Christmas and Hanukkah along with it – and the, let’s face it, responsibility and accountability of gifts.  Every year, the month is apparently a surprise – and somehow I’m never ready. There are a few ways to go here – endless, mindless traipsing, on-line clicking and re-clicking and then hoping it gets here or there in time, or simply knowing a few great places that somehow always seem to work. Among those places, for me, are Pryde’s  Kitchen &Necessities in Westport and the FrenchMarket   in Prairie Village.  Everyone knows Pryde’s whether your loved (or just liked or heck, just the person who works for you) wants premium cutlery or Fiesta Ware or a molcajete.  They have some really nice gift baskets I notice – whether the receiver is a barbeque fan (local of course!) or a gourmet coffee drinker.  Or, they’ll put together and package whatever you choose so beautiful...

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse will have special hours during the holidays, with several locations open on Christmas Day, and offer holiday menu additions included as part of their Full Churrasco Experience. New items include a classic slow roasted beef roast; Quentão (keen-tao) – a warm Brazilian mulled red wine made with fresh oranges, cinnamon, clove, and ginger; Sweet Potato Casserole with rich butter, cinnamon, and toasted marshmallows; and tender New York Strip steak carved tableside by gaucho chefs. Fogo offers a lively and elegant atmosphere that is perfect for celebrating with family, friends and loved ones during this holiday season. Fogo de Chão shares the centuries-old Southern Brazilian cooking technique of churrasco , the art of roasting meats over an open fire, and espeto corrido , or “continuous service.” Their menu features a wealth of savory, fire-roasted meats perfectly seasoned, prepared and carved tableside for each guest by a team of authentic Brazilian-...

Kansas City Restaurants’ Wine Programs: A Guide As winter envelops us, thoughts may turn to cozy evenings in front of the fire with a bottle of wine and some pâté, let’s say.  There is a better approach, however – bundle up and trek to a great Kansas City restaurant and have that bottle of wine selected by an expert to go specifically with what you’ve chosen for appetizer and dinner. Let your cares and issues dissolve . . . you’re not at home. Plus, even better perhaps, you don’t have to agonize over difference between an 88 or 92 wine rating (not that much it turns out.)  Gaslight Grill’s Wine Room displays some of their finest bottles But first, a few fascinating wine facts. Wine has been part of life probably longer than you think – since around eight thousand years ago. The oldest glass wine bottle was found in Speyer, Germany in an ancient Roman chest, theoretically dating back to 325 AD. Although there are thousands of wines created from around 10,000 ...

Happy Hour IV: Drinking (& Eating) at Cleaver & Cork You already know how much I love happy hours in K.C.  It’s not just the fact that food and drink are cheaper, truly.  It’s not just that they are an early excuse to start the party. It’s not just that you can eat lighter if you so desire.  Or that I basically like sitting at bars.  No, a big part of it for me is that happy hours are a way to sample . . . and to help me decide if I wanna come back. My first happy hour, many months ago, did just that.  Cleaver & Cork’s starts early, at 4 p.m. and ends three hours later – a real plus for chatters – and the bar usually seems less noisy than the tables section. It does pick up of course – you are in the Power and Light District!  Their drinks are price-reduced, including their craft cocktails like my favorite, at least in the summer, the Horsefeathers (whisky, ginger beer and bitters).  They have $5 wines and $4 draft beers. ...

Mussels Recipe by Tannin's Wine Bar Chef Brian Aaron at Tannin’sWine Bar and Kitchen makes the most delicious mussels and he swears they’re fast (once you’re past that debearding part) and easy.  No, they don’t really take much time at al.  Mussels are really just clams of a certain kind.  You can buy mussels at most grocery stores at the butcher/fish counter by the two pound bag.  Or they might be frozen.  What’s debearding you might ask?  When you wash each mussel, you’ll notice on many of them some threads, for lack of a better word.  That’s how they were attached to whatever they were attached to.  Pull that out and off and they’re ready to go. You can prepare this dish right before serving and they are definitely pleasers – serve with some crusty bread to soak up all that goodness in the bowl! Here are the ingredients: 2 pounds             Fresh Prince Edward Island Mussel...

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar will offer a Holiday “Retail Therapy” special Black Friday, Nov. 27 through Dec. 6 in which guests can purchase a cocktail from a special menu and receive one of three free desserts. Lead Bartender Kenny Cohrs and Pastry Chef Kelly Conwell collaborated on the menu to pair Cohrs’ cocktail creations with Conwell’s dessert masterpieces to create a respite from the stresses of holiday shopping. In addition to the Holiday “Retail Therapy” menu, Jax will serve its regular Friday lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner menu beginning at 4 p.m. Jax will offer its Holiday “Retail Therapy” menu on Black Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 6. Holiday “Retail Therapy” menu Cocktails  3975 Aztec spiced hot chocolate blended with coconut milk, pineapple simple syrup, habanero cordial and Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal. Heated and served with toasted marshmallow Linus and Lucy Apple Jack, Benedictine, Calvados, All Spice Dram garnished wi...

Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Salad: This hearty salad features a base of lightly cooked Brussels sprouts, and is complemented with Brown Sugar and Red Pepper bacon, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and sweet Peppadew peppers from the Market Table. It’s a sweet and salty blend of ingredients tossed with a house-made preserved lemon vinaigrette, and finished with salt and pepper. Who loves grapefruit?  Check out the new Citrus Salad at Fogo de Chao featuring white, pink and ruby red grapefruits, oranges, blood oranges, and tangerines sprinkled with finely chopped mint leaves and finished with a hint of sugar and mint.  YUM! Looking for a new fav cocktail?  Try the new fresh caramelized pineapple flawlessly muddled with orange and decadent Luxardo cherries to enhance the caramel notes of Bulleit’s Rye Whiskey – at Fogo de Chao. 222 West 47th Street  Kansas City, MO 64112  Ph. 816-931-7700   Check out their menu

Chef Spotlight:  Brian Aaron For the last four nearly five years, ever since it reincarnated as Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen from JP’s at 15 th and Walnut, executive chef Brian Aaron has tried to maintain balance – in his life and at the bar/restaurant.  “We still aren’t sure if this is a food obsessed wine bar or a wine obsessed restaurant,” he laughs.  No matter which, it certainly does both extremely well. Aaron began early, hanging out in the kitchen while his mom and relatives cooked great meals – the smells of some dishes still evoking those days which he parlays into new and unique dishes every few weeks in the restaurant.  (Try the chicken confit, his favorite right now.) Growing up in Overland Park, he enjoyed cooking breakfast for himself, which often evolved into whole family meals.  He worked at the Sahara Café during high school and went on to Colorado State where his degree is in restaurant/resort management.  Johnson and Wales C...

Drunken Fish is hosting a canned food drive at both of our KC locations during the month of November. Both locations, all November long.  Throughout the month, Drunken Fish will offer a  15% discount  to all those who bring in a minimum of 5 canned goods during lunch and dinner hours.  All collections will benefit  Harvesters . Harvesters' mission is to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow. Also, for every 5 canned goods donated, you will be entered to win a pair of NYE Live! tickets at the Power & Light District!    4331 West 119th Street Leawood, KS 66209 Ph. 913-339-9335 14 East 14 Street Kansas City, MO 64106 Ph. 816.474.7177            

Donate $5 to Melting Pot’s charity of the month and receive $10 off the Ultimate Four Course Dining Experience for Two Diners (regularly $98) Includes: A Bottle of Wine Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (Mezzacorona)  -OR- 2 Specialty Cocktails -OR- 2 Beer Flights Your choice of 3 draft beers  Shared Combo Entrée Platter: Filet Mignon Basil Pesto Chicken Pacific White Shrimp Teriyaki Marinated Sirloin Breast of Chicken Mushroom Sacchetti& endless Seasonal Vegetables Select any Cheese Fondue Appetizer Select any 2 Salads Select any cooking style Select any Chocolate Fondue Dessert Printable version  *Multiple dinners allowed per coupon One time use per split table check.  Valid only for Kansas City Dine in. Cannot be used with any other promotional offer, for tax, or gratuity. No cash value. Contact store for details or restrictions. 

At the Hilton President downtown, Providence New American Kitchen notes the promotion of Alejandro Diaz to Executive Chef.  Born and trained in Mexico City and having worked at the Waldorf Astoria, at Bite Bistro in San Diego, and then as the culinary supervisor with Princess Cruise Lines, he brings an international focus to "new American cuisine" and his steaks, chops and seafood all bear his signature. Their famous (since 1926) Drum Room bar features handcrafted cocktails and and Happy Hour from 4 – 6:30 p.m. In addition, there's a nice feature for downtown: complimentary valet parking for Providence guests. EVERY Wednesday they offer a great deal on a great gourmet burger. Just $8 for a 6 oz. burger topped with extra sharp white Cheddar cheese, Brisket jam with lettuce, tomato and pickles, served on a Brioche bun with French fries on the side. You can’t get a better burger for the price, so go in any Wednesday from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. to savor this burger an...

Art Comes to Life in Kansas City Right beside the Hotel Phillips who has won the ArtsKC Impact Award, 12 Baltimore is doing something different and intriguing.  At least I must admit I didn’t know about it and it’s been going on for awhile.    They have announced their fifth artist-in-residence, sculptor Megan Lou Gallant.  Her art is on display throughout the hotel and restaurant and seems to me to be a combination of the natural world, whimsy, and imagination.  Her work has been exhibited at lots of different places, including the H&R Block Artspace .     I love the idea of art with food and drink and her studio/storefront will often have its door open, and you are welcome to join her, look at a current work in progress, and interact with her.  And don’t forget to eat before or after at the restaurant, which has a new chef and menu which incorporates new and favorite items – and one of the best brunches in town!...

DINING FOR HEROES: More than 100 Kansas City area restaurants to donate 10 percent of sales Saturday, Oct. 17, to support fallen firefighters In response to Monday’s tragedy that took the lives of Kansas City firefighters John Mesh and Larry Leggio, the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA) and the Kansas City Originals are bringing together area restaurants and diners on Saturday, Oct. 17 to raise funds for the families of these fallen heroes. For one day only – Oct. 17 – participating Kansas City restaurants from across the area will donate 10 percent of sales to the Dining for Heroes Fund, a support account dedicated to the families of John Mesh and Larry Leggio. In the past 24 hours, more than 100 Kansas City restaurants have signed up to participate; the GKCRA anticipates this number will continue to increase through Oct. 17. Participating restaurants include: 1.   12 Baltimore  106 W 12th Street        816-889-7037 2....